An innovative skills course for children aims to breed a new generation of leaders. Amy Grier finds out how.

Richard Diston is a man on a mission. The martial arts Master and conflict management trainer is helping children become confident and self aware individuals through the medium of martial arts.

And the earlier the better, seems to be his ethos. His pioneering Junior Leader Life Skills for Children course, which began earlier this month, is aimed at four to six-year-olds.

The six-month course of weekly half-hour sessions held in Mill Hill School sports centre, was developed in response to the 2003 Every Child Matters white paper. The course covers the five key areas outlined in the paper: being healthy, staying safe, enjoying and achieving, making a positive contribution and economic wellbeing.

The classes teach interpersonal skills and communication through physical activity and basic martial arts. Each month focuses on a different set of skills, with the children given a task book to complete.

The tasks start with respect and kindness and move on to helping around the house, reducing TV exposure and reading with parents.

Mr Diston has been developing the course for more than two years because he believes there is a lack of leadership in today's society. He said: "Kids are told what to do, but not how to do it."

The programme uses a combination of tested physical exercises and National Linguistic Programme-based learning, using language to make children think about things in a different and meaningful way.

Mr Diston, who leads the class with two other instructors, said the course is about 'teaching behavioural transition'.

"A confident and aware child is a safe child," he added. "There is so much bad press about the dangers to children, teaching them to be afraid, to be victims. It has to be redressed."

Because the children are young, the programme calls for full parental involvement, both in the class and at home.

Kamaldeep Phlora's five-year-old son, Isher, attends the classes. She said: "Isher was so shy, he clung to me wherever we went. But after the classes he is a totally different child. He is more aware of his surroundings and much more confident. It has also helped our relationship, helped us to bond."

Teaching aspects of martial arts to such young children might raise eyebrows among some parents.

But Mrs Phlora has seen positive results. She said: "Before we started, I was worried about whether it was appropriate to teach such young kids that stuff, but once I saw the classes I realised it was about learning control and physical awareness, not about fighting. I can't recommend the course enough, it's great."

The course costs £300 for six months. Parents receive a free trial session, and can pay £99 for the first month, with a full refund available to dissatisfied customers. For more information, call Mr Diston on 07899 886645.