Is martial arts for children such a good idea after all?
The subject of children's martial arts is a large and in many ways rather complex one.
So before you bring your kid to the nearest martial arts school, I suggest taking a slight and temporary step back to look at the bigger picture.
In order to make the best of it, or see if this is indeed something for your child, let's have a look at the deeper issues of childrens martial arts!
Childrens martial arts: Table of content
- Welcome to The Martial Arts Vault
- Self-defense you say?
- Digging deeper into the subject
- Martial arts items from eBay
- Special needs children
- Martial arts: great for special needs children?
- Here are some martial arts for children clips
- What's your recommended martial arts for kids?
- Martial Arts Sources Blogger Blog
- More budo kids videos
- Where ever there are kids...
- Why not do a Twitter follow?
- Have your say about budo kids!
- Other great places to visit for martial arts backgound info:
- Blog Posts from Google about kids martial arts
Welcome to The Martial Arts Vault
A huge number of free resources
Hop over to The Martial Arts Vault and enjoy lots of free and cool stuff about self-defense and the martial arts.
In addition to the free stuff you may also find the occasional (and substantial) rebates to my e-books etc.
Self-defense you say?
Are you in reality paying for something else?
A. In general, martial arts are great for the vast majority of children.
B. Almost all martial arts claim they teach self-defense.
You can't really go much wrong in my opinion, if you pick a reputable martial arts club or school for self-improvement, discipline, fitness, improving gross and fine motor skills, setting and reaching goals - as well as a host of other positive things - for your child!
Self-defense however, is a different matter all together.
Consider some of the things it entails: Awareness; social skills; communication skills; evasive maneuvers; defensive, offensive and passive tactics; kicking, punching and grappling; stand-up and on the ground; short range, medium and long range; softer and harder; one on one and group situation; third party interventions ... the list goes on and on.
Furthermore - is self-defense automatically the same for children as for adults? I would dare say it is far from it by any standard!
Now, I urge you to read this and make up your own mind.
Am I to say this school was not teaching "proper" self-defense? No. I can't do that - all the time I don't know this art or school.
What I will say however is that there's obviously a huge gap between what the parent thought the child was getting, and what they actually got.
Please make sure that you educate yourself properly before signing anything.
Digging deeper into the subject
The pros and cons of teaching martial arts to kids
These are commonly along the lines of:
1. "I love it, my youngest one has become much more focused at school", or
2. "No, I tried it, but it wasn't the right thing for my child", or
3. "Martial arts? I don't want them to become more violent and aggressive!"
Any concerns or objections that parents may have towards children learning martial arts, is not only legitimate and understandable - they are to be appreciated; after all your child are likely being taught - or will be most likely be taught...
Martial arts items from eBay
Make sure you find the best deals for your child at eBay!
Fetching RSS feed... please stand bySpecial needs children
The martial arts can be prove real benefit to many of them!
Even though this particular post and article is about autistic children, I'm sure you get the idea :-)
Martial arts has proven to be a fantastic tool for children with conditions and diseases such as (but not limited to) ADHD, autism, cancer, Asberger syndrome, Downs syndrome, epilepsy and cerebral palsy.
I urge you to go to Inspirational Martial Arts Stories and read more about all the instances where martial arts have proven to be helpful - for kids and adults alike.
Martial arts: great for special needs children?
Have your say on this topic!
Oh, and remember to use the guest book more a more in-depth reply
What's your recommended martial arts for kids?
Here's your chance to recommend a certain martial art for kids.
This may be one you know about, or one you have been recommended by others.
Missing something? Let me know in the guestbook (down below), and I'll add it!
Martial Arts Sources Blogger Blog
From the 'ins and outs of the martial arts' blog
Fetching RSS feed... please stand byWhere ever there are kids...
..there may potentially also be sexual predators lurking
However, there are those who take exception to that rule - people who pray on children.
Lately we have had a seemingly growing number of cases within the arts. Personally I tend to believe this is because more people are coming forward - not necessarily because it happens more often.
Whatever the case might be, I believe it's in your best interest also to keep an eye on this side of the story.
You can keep up to date on my blog Martial Arts Sources, or get more in depth information at Martial Arts News.
And for sure, don't hesitate to give me your feedback on this important topic!
Why not do a Twitter follow?
Feel free to follow my ramblings on Twitter
Have your say about budo kids!
Any special issue you'd like to see covered here?
Do feel free to comment on your childs progres, or any worry you might have about martial arts for kids!
Torbjornar wrote...
Thanks Kalyanna.
Just to clear any possible misundestandings.. I am a male. At least I was one last time I checked :-)
Still, I agree 100% on what you say about strong women sharing their experiences.
The arts have so much to offer children and adults alike - male or female.
Keep on kicking!
Posted March 09, 2008
kalynna wrote
You have a really great lens here. I enjoy it when strong women share their experiences. It only serves to help us all become stronger.
I have been a volunteer instructor in Tae kwon do for several years, 3rd degree black belt myself. My three sons, 15, 12 and 9 are also black belts (2nd, 2nd and 1st degree). Love to brag about them!
Kids get so much from martial arts training as do adults.
I just started a website for all the taekwondo enthusiasts out there. Please stop by www.taekwondo-network.com and let me know what you think. I will gratefully accept article submissions to include and link.
Posted March 07, 2008
Torbjornar wrote...
Good for you - and the children! Best of luck to you all :-)
Torbjorn
Posted February 01, 2008
loraseverson wrote...
Great lens. My kids have been in Tae Kwon Do for the last 5 1/2 years. They are now 10 & 12 and second degree blackbelts. (my husband & I are first degree) It has been amazing for them. They have gained confidence, self esteem & discipline. They are great students & very respectful. I attribute a lot of it to TKD. They also know how to fight off the 'bad guy'.
Please check out my lens on becoming a 40 yr old black belt http://www.squidoo.com/imablackbelt
Posted January 31, 2008
Other great places to visit for martial arts backgound info:
- Videos About Martial Arts
- Now you can search for cool videos from this great site.
- The Martial Arts Resource Center
- Everything and anything you could possibly need...
- Inside The Vault
- The Vault is the place to join if you like free gifts and cool things :-)
- A Handy Search Site
- Use Your Martial Arts Site to search for the hard-to-find information.
- A Look At Media Coverage
- We keep an eye at what media is saying here at the "Martial Arts Sources" blog.
- The Martial Arts Myths
- A look at some of the martial arts myths, like the 'Black Belt Lure'.
