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10 Reasons for Your Kids to Learn Martial Arts - from a Karate Mom
- Confidence: When you’re confident you can defend yourself, and don’t come across as an easy target that most bullies look for. Also, if you have accomplished something a little difficult then you have confidence that you can move onto a new level, not just in martial arts but in any area of your life.
- Defense: My boys may not be able to take on any opponent in the world. However, they have learned techniques to help them defend themselves in hostile situations.
- Learn How to Take a Punch: This is a difficult concept for a mother to get her head around let alone accept. The best defense in most situations is to run, flee or remove yourself from the situation. If there is some reason you have not left the situation it usually means your opponent has thrown the first punch and is on top of you or has attacked you in some way. If you know what it feels like to take a punch and keep your wits about you, you’re chances of survival are much greater.
- Discipline: This is another point that ripples throughout a child’s life. However, to master the different levels of any martial art you’ve got to have physical and mental discipline. Martial arts give children practice using the body and mind in harmony.
- Endurance: Martial arts is a sport, you build strength and endurance.
- Leadership: Part of becoming a black belt and higher is teaching beginning students. My older son is now teaching younger students and this is part of his training.
- Health: We have an epidemic of childhood obesity in this country. Martial Arts is a great way to get moving and burn off calories.
- Fight in a Controlled Environment: This one was hard for me as a mother. Of course at first it was cute. My little five year old child sparing with another five year old was nothing more than two clumsy kids trying to hit each other. My oldest son sparing during his black belt test was stomach turning. But my boys have the experience of fighting and they’ve learned it in a controlled environment without getting hurt. (at least hurt too badly)
- Situational Awareness: This goes along with confidence and defense but studying martial arts requires that you always be aware of your environment.
- Ability to Assess an Opponent: If you can determine that your opponent is weak in an area you can use that to your advantage in any hostile environment. This is an invaluable skill.
There are Countless other Reasons to Train in Martial Arts
How can your Kids Benefit?
Clear Focus - In martial arts, we have kids do one thing at a time. For younger kids, and kids with severe ADD, they may only do one thing for 30 seconds – but for that 30 seconds that's all they focus on.
Then, the better and better they get at focusing, the longer we have them focus for. Eventually, kids might focus the entire session on just one exercise or activity. And they never get bored or antsy.
Before you know it, they do this at home too. They focus on their homework… on their chores… on conversations with you… and anything else they put their mind to.
Determined to Succeed – From Day 1 in martial arts your child sets goals, and accomplishes them. The more and more he does this – the more ambitious he becomes.
Eventually he learns to set higher goals – and he learns to go after them with everything he's got. He learns that fulfillment and respect are earned through completing challenges.
Because of this, kids who go through martial arts are much more likely to succeed later in life as well. A recent study showed that 63% of black belts become college graduates!
They then go on to live wonderful, fulfilling lives. And then they pass these principles onto their own children.
Finally Paying Attention – Parents of children with attention problems breathe sighs of relief after just a few short weeks.
That's because in martial arts – we teach kids to look people in the eyes when they're being spoken to. We teach them that this is how you show people you're listening, and paying attention.
After just a few short weeks, kids naturally begin doing this at home. And in school. Parents and teachers often look at each other with wide-eyes when they reflect on the changes. They can't believe how much better their children pay attention.
Completing Tasks the First Time He's Asked – In martial arts, we have just a few simple rules. One of those rules is that when your child is asked to do something – he does it the first time.
We never yell at kids, or scold them, if they don't do this. But every kid does it because he sees the other kids in the class doing it too. And he wants to make friends and be a part of the group.
It's usually a matter of a couple weeks before kids start doing this at home, too. I can't tell you how many parents have thanked me profusely when it starts to happen.
For parents of children who have a hard time following directions – this is truly a blessing.
Self-Respect – When it comes to bullies, kids in martial arts don't back down. They have the confidence to look a bully in the eyes, and stand their ground.
This is what nearly always happens…
The bully gets scared and backs down!
It happens 9 times out of 10. And for the 1 time out of 10 the bully doesn't back down – your child has the tools to defend himself. And if necessary, he'll be able to get away, and seek out an authority figure.
Most confrontations can be talked through. Occasionally, however, words aren't enough. For either situation your child will be prepared.
No one will be able to hurt him, or take anything away from him.
Weight loss – It's easy these days for kids to not exercise. As a result, many children experience weight problems at a young age.
Martial Arts is an amazing form of exercise – Your child will be active the entire time. But there's no pressure on him to do anything he can't.
We'll encourage him to do his best – but this isn't boot camp or anything. Most importantly, he'll have a ton of fun.
And if he happens to be overweight – martial arts will help him get down to a healthy weight. This reduces risk for many health problems that can occur now, and later on in life.
Kids Karate also increases energy, alertness, and overall happiness. He'll never feel better.
But What About ???
Questions Answered
FAQ
“Will martial arts make my kid violent?”
Absolutely not! We don't teach kids how to kick and punch so they can go down the street and beat up the neighbor's kid.
Instead, we teach kids self-defense as a tool for personal growth and development.
Kids learn to treat others as they want to be treated. They learn to respect all living things – from their parents to pets.
Often, kids who were violent before they joined our class changed, and became non violent. So no, martial arts won't make your child violent!
“What if my child's not athletic? Will he have a hard time?”
Often children who don't find success in team sports come to martial arts. And they love it.
That's because with martial arts you go at your own pace.
See, team sports actually harm the self-esteem of children who aren't very athletic. When they don't perform well, the other kids can be pretty nasty. And this can leave some serious scars on their self - esteem.
But with martial arts, they can't let anyone down. Everyone goes at their own pace. Some kids learn quicker than others – but the children who advance quickly are not valued more than the kids who advance slowly.
Everyone is greatly encouraged – regardless of his or her athletic level.
“Will my child learn a talent that they can be proud of?”
Many children find pride in being able to do “cool” things like dancing, juggling, singing, playing an instrument, etc., etc., etc.
I've seen many kids enter talent shows, and show off their martial arts skills. The crowd is blown away every time!
There's simply something fascinating and exciting about watching martial arts. And your child will take great pride in his abilities.
“What age is appropriate for martial arts?”
We have programs for kids who are 5 years old all the way to teenagers. And we even have programs for adults.
“Will my child get hurt?”
I've had children come to my program for years without ever obtaining a single injury.
This is actually the case with most children.
Have children gotten injured in my martial arts class? Yes, some have. But the injuries were no different than those which kids who play baseball and other sports get.
In the words of a parent I recently spoke with, “The instructors pay attention to detail when it comes to safety.”
From padded floors, to proper gear, to step-by- step instruction – we do everything in our power to insure your child's safety. I can't guarantee your child won't be injured – but I can tell you that almost no children receive injuries in my program.
And that's because we take your child's safety very seriously.
“Will my child have fun? Will he want to stick with the program?”
When parents take their kids to appointments – normally the parent has to run around and do everything in their power to get their children to the appointment on time.
“Hurry up!” they shout, “We'll be late!” (How many times have you said this?) But with martial arts, something fascinating happens… Often the children are the ones yelling these things! They don't want to be late, and they never want to miss a class.
In fact, I know of many parents who use martial arts as an incentive to get chores done. If the kids are good, do their chores, and do their homework – they get martial arts as a reward.
That's because your child will have a ton of fun. He'll be laughing and smiling throughout the entire class. And because He'll constantly be setting and reaching goals – He'll want to stick with the program.
It will become a part of his life as if it was always there.
“Is martial arts just for boys? Or can my girl take martial arts too?”
On this page I've said “he” a lot. But the truth is, there are just as many girls in many of our classes as there are boys.
Girls love martial arts just as much, and get the same fulfillment out of it as boys do.
Also, if I've learned anything in my years of teaching, its that girls are just as tough as boys. Many are even tougher!
So you don't have to worry about your little girl getting hurt, or feeling scared because she'll be practicing with boys. In fact, the boys may even be the ones who are scared.