Parents have been signing their kids up for martial arts for years. It has long been seen as a useful way for kids to exercise, learn about competition, and develop skills that can be used for self defense. There are many positives to having your children learn a martial art, but of course there are also considerations that need to be addressed. Like any type of extracurricular activity, studying a martial art can provide positive or negative benefits depending on each child’s situation.
The main benefit that kids martial arts provides is an increase in health and fitness. In North America, with the obesity of children on the rise, having a fun activity that will keep the pounds off is very important. Typically, kids classes are held two or three times a week, for an average of an hour a class. This is a great addition to a child’s gym glass in school, and will also increase their fitness and strength levels. Most classes involve a number of exercises, as well as sparring sessions that use all the muscles in the body.
Children who study martial arts tend to have more self-confidence. Learning techniques that enable them to protect themselves and defeat those bigger and stronger will naturally be a confidence builder. In addition to the self-worth that is created, learning a martial art will put them in with a group of other people doing the same thing and this can help them learn about teamwork, while also sharing experiences with others.
There are problems that sometimes occur when children study and learn martial art techniques. The main one is the misuse of the techniques that they are taught.
Most of the classes will have a strong emphasis on only using the teachings being for defense. However, some students may take advantage of the skills they are taught and use them for inciting violence and bullying others. When this happens it casts a negative light on all who train in a martial art and so instructors and parents should ensure that the children in their care do not misuse what they have been taught.
If you decide to let your child study martial arts, then you are giving them the chance to move towards a healthy lifestyle and a more confident outlook on life. As their parent, however, you should stay involved enough to make sure that he or she is moving in the correct direction, and is not misusing the skills that they are being taught. The positives tend to far outweigh the negatives so it is well worth checking classes available for your kids in your area.
Kristine writes about a variety of health and fitness issues. Visit her mini trampoline site where you’ll find reviews and information on everything from the Stamina Intone Jogger to the Needak line of mini trampolines.
Parents can teach their children self defense. Having had the pleasure of teaching a lot of self defense classes and working with hundreds of Physical Educators over the last three decades I have reduced self defense training to developmental basics. Teaching Self Defense gives you a great satisfaction when you know individuals go away with vital information and a new skill set that they can keep for life. Going back to basics is always best in any of the combative arts disciplines. Teaching you to “Beat the Odds” using basic motor movements you already know, and a proven system of learning effective self defense moves in the least amount of time, at home without an instructor, is my specialty.
You didn’t need to read any books to learn how to sit, stand, walk, clap your hands, grab objects or climb up some stairs? You can learn to transfer these basic physical skills into effective self defense moves today, regardless of your current fitness level. Using common household props to learn the physical skills, bringing up good self defense prevention information, and understanding how to use the motor skills you already possess to remove yourself from danger is the purpose of “WITS (Whatever It Takes) Self Defense Workbook.
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