He admitted it. When the going gets tough at home, we all place the children in front of the television and sigh in relief. Finally, we can start with dinner, maybe check email or sort out that huge pile of laundry.

But when your five-year-old yells at you “Mom, the kids rule!” Or your ten-year-old son horrifies you with language that would make a sailor blush, realizes that there must be something wrong with what these “family shows” really teach our children. And sadly, it is happening in all media today, from sports to cartoons, and our children are learning things that we, as parents, swear we would never teach them. Old-fashioned values ​​like respect and self-discipline seem to have been forgotten, replaced by today’s dreaded bling bling pop culture.

The very thought of your angelic three-year-old becoming a designer-clothed, smart-mouthed, money-loving, me-obsessed, lazy designer is enough for any parent to consider that menacing military school brochure, but there is a solution. out there to consider.

Martial arts training.

From the Ninja Turtles to the Karate Kid

You and your children have seen the flying kicks, battle cries, and powerful blows of your favorite TV characters, as they beat the bad guys to submission, but, you may wonder, how the heck can these acts of violence teach you to my son something worthwhile? ?

First, you should know that what you see on television (except perhaps the Karate Kid) is very far from what real martial arts are. The fact is, martial arts training is based on non-violence.

Originating from Asia (primarily Japan, China, and Korea, although Thailand and Vietnam also have their own practices), martial arts vary in a variety of types and styles, all of which are based on comprehensive moral teachings. The beauty of learning martial arts is that it encompasses not only the physical aspect of “sport,” but also mental and emotional lessons.

Comparing that to other children’s sports and activities, where fierce competition and “winning at all costs” seem to be the order of the day, it is not surprising that many children struggle with misplaced self-esteem and aggression issues.

Now imagine that your child is truly learning valuable life lessons, skills that he will acquire throughout life, laying the foundation for a happy, well-adjusted, and fulfilling adult life. If only children’s karate was popular in the 70’s when I was little!

The advantages

o Karate and other martial arts for children promote confidence and self-esteem, as well as self-discipline, respect, concentration, and courtesy.

o Many martial arts schools also offer leadership courses for children, along with their children’s karate programs or similar lessons.

o Martial arts are ideal for children who do not do well in team sports, giving them the ability to thrive in this activity, while combining physical and mental practices.

o Many do not realize this, but it is a fact that martial arts training is safer than most school sports.

o Children with special needs, such as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), learning difficulties, and hyperactivity, are often encouraged to participate in children’s martial arts due to the clear benefits of its structured training techniques.

Kung-fu master or ninja warrior?

Before enrolling Junior in the first martial arts class you see, take some time to look at the different methods available and combine them with what you know is best suited for your child. This is a good way to avoid any problems that may arise from a conflict between your child’s personality and training techniques.

Is your little Zach a sensitive soul? So maybe a class that doesn’t focus on sparring (full kick and punch training), but rather, slower defensive maneuvers would suit you better. Boys with an aggressive streak, however, may prefer more forceful moves and thrive in competitive combat.

Here is a quick introduction to martial arts training for kids that you are likely to find:

Japan martial arts

Karate

o Use defensive and aggressive movements

o Focuses on building strength and endurance

o Involves chops, punches, kicks, strikes, blocks and sparring

o Can use weapons

Jiu Jitsu

o Use defensive and aggressive movements

o It involves a lot of combat

o Teaches a fair amount of weapon training

Aikido

o Uses a more “spiritual” and harmonious style by redirecting the attacker’s aggression as a form of defense, using shots, bowling, rolls, etc.

o Taught on the premise of disabling an aggressor without attacking, through their individual inner energy

o It does not imply sparring or competitions.

Judo

o Use gentle movements, “like wrestling”

o Considered one of the safest martial arts methods.

o Emphasizes physical control and mental development

o Participate in contests

Martial arts of china

Kung Fu

o The generic term that refers to Chinese martial arts with a variety of styles.

o It involves attack movements and defensive techniques.

o Teaches kicks, punches, chops, throws, falls, grabs, katas, leg sweeps and blows among others.

o Participate in sparring competitions

Korean martial arts

taekwondo

o Competitive in nature, involves techniques that use elaborate footwork and unique high kicks.

o Emphasizes strength, strength and methods of attack.

o Participate in many fights and competitions.

Choose the correct instruction

If you have an idea of ​​the type of martial arts class you would like your child to participate in, the next step would be to find the right school. Finding the right class that not only meets your child’s needs and yours, in terms of teachers you are comfortable with, price, facilities, etc., are important factors.

Let’s say you’ve found a local place that specializes in Karate for kids. What are the things to look for?

1. Good instructors

Review their grades, teaching methods, and carefully observe how they interact with the other children. It should be a fun learning experience!

2. Space and security

Obviously, you want to entrust your child with a safe, well-maintained and clean establishment with ample space, as well as decent facilities and equipment.

3. School values

Different schools of martial arts inevitably are governed by different values, for example, a child’s karate class may handle aggression in one way, while a judo class would have a different approach. Take some time to see which school ideals match your family’s principles.

4. Prices and schedules

Prices for martial arts training can vary by school and location, so make sure the instruction you choose represents fair value. It is also essential to find the most effective way to adapt martial arts training to your family’s lifestyle, knowing what works best with your schedule and other activities.

Baby blackbelts

Introducing your young child to karate training is ideal (children as young as four are generally accepted as this is also a good way to hone fine motor skills), and many parents have found that in as little as one year, their Children who participated in martial arts had notably gained positive traits, such as increased self-esteem, respect, and overall physical fitness.

Many parents also choose to join a martial arts training program, making it a great bonding experience for the whole family.