These days, kids are bombarded with modern technology, play stations and internet. Though they still love a good play outside, they are positioned to more sedentary activities in general. With an emphasis on school work kids can become stressed as their growing hormones don’t have an outlet.
Karate, Tae Kwon Do and Kung Fu are just a few options your child could try as learning martial arts is not only fun but will benefit your child in many aspects of their lives as they grow up.
Here are four reasons to get your child started on a journey that will grow with them.
Improves Confidence and self-belief
I love seeing the children in my martial arts class when they come in for their first lesson hiding behind their mum or dad’s legs. Two belts later they are bounding around the hall laughing and practising their kicks with confidence.
Martial arts will encourage your child to push beyond their normal limits, set goals which they will with practise achieve instilling a sense of self belief.
Learn respect & conflict resolution
Martial arts aren’t all Bruce Lee and beating gangs of thugs (although it can help) most martial art forms are about defence and solving conflict resolution through peaceful means.
It will teach your child the best thing to do is walk away from a situation but to know that if an altercation got out of hand they could have the confidence to defend themselves.
Improves socialization
Your child will develop camaraderie through partner and group work as children work together in the class to improve their skills. They will make new friends as all their peers will share the same common interest of their martial art. There are also social opportunities at competitions and often fun games are played with to keep their interest.
Learn to focus, concentrate & improve fitness
Getting kids to be more active and pull them away from the latest video game can be tough but because martial arts is fun it shouldn’t be too much of a problem. Your child will prove their flexibility, endurance and strength.
Martial arts will also help your child’s focus and concentration as in addition to individual moves most martial arts have patterns or kata which are a series of moves they will have to perform from memory.
