Why karate for kids

Some children who have had a tendency to bully other children may develop an interest in karate. Parents of these children may fear that the skills they learn in karate will only make their bullying worse. Nothing could be further from the truth. Secondly, being regularly reminded that their karate is ONLY to be used for self-defence and is something that can never be misused without risk of being suspended from training provides extra motivation to behave.

When karate was first developed in Okinawa, its purpose was to teach children to become people of high character, with self-defence being a secondary focus. The character these children exhibited was so impressive, in , karate was formally introduced into the Okinawa Primary School system so all Okinawa children would benefits from its teachings.

This still exists today where every school in Japan has karate as a subject all students must study. You will also find a number of other topics that relate to young children or teenagers in this section. Contact Us. Karate for Kids. That acceptance led me to be able to better respond, maneuver, and anticipate.

Ironically, learning how to take a hit is perhaps the best way for your kid to learn how to avoid it. Being able to advance and play with the big kids gave Ethan a tremendous amount of confidence. Of course, playing with the big kids also gives all of us a little reminder of humility - someone is always bigger and stronger. I remember Sifu gently threatening the two young boys in our kung fu class that if they ever used their kung fu training in the wrong way or to show off he would have their hide.

The right martial arts school will teach your child that there are no tough guys. Every martial artist ultimately learns this sense of respect and true confidence.

Your child will learn that confidence and respect for others comes from a deep sense of self-knowledge. To listen to your body is to also see your thoughts and have heightened awareness of your emotional construct. A martial artist is taught to see, feel, and listen - both internally and externally.

Tapping into intuition, fear, and courage are examples of being able to put the physical together with the mental. Being able to combat such a thing is what you learn in the martial arts. People often ask me whether I have ever used my martial arts and boxing training in a fight.

Indeed I have used the skills learned from martial arts many times to resolve conflict, but thankfully, never in a physical altercation outside the ring. One of the first lessons Sifu taught us in kung fu was that words were never grounds for a fight. That advice right there has saved me many times. Instead, you learn to respond without reacting in the martial arts. First name. Last name. I would like to receive the newsletter. Partner signup.

Thank you for signing up Confirm your email address We have sent you an email to validate your email address. Password reset Check your email for the confirmation email.

AUD - Australian Dollar. Discover Training Camps now Follow Us:. With that, here are 5 reasons why I believe karate training can serve as an inspiration for lifelong learning in children: 1. As they get stronger and develop better technique, they can transition from the easy-to-break variety of breakable boards to the more durable type. Bobby Bully — This is a lifelike punching bag with a face which is fun for kids to punch, kick, or elbow during practice.

It even offers weapon instruction once kids achieve their orange belt. That said, I highly recommend treating these online classes as complementary classes as opposed to their sole source of learning martial arts.

Karate can be a family affair Image credit: Gary Cox Kids as young as three years old can practice right alongside their older siblings and parents. Earning a black belt serves as an important lesson in goal attainment Image credit: Matt Sauk With karate, unlike many other sports, you are constantly learning new techniques.

Karate can be enjoyed outside of the dojo There are many other ways that kids can stay motivated and excited about learning karate. Final Thoughts So there you have it — Five great reasons to sign your kids up for karate or other martial arts disciplines that they may be interested in.

About the author Alix Bryant. Alix is a wife, homeschooling mom to three kids, and a black belt in Kenpo karate. She is also a founding partner of All Star Karate Coach, which provides online karate classes. Traditional martial arts have their roots in combat tactics used on the battlefield. Many Japanese arts are based on the fighting techniques of the samurai.

Modern teaching methods may have softened the application of these techniques, but they can still be effective in street fights. Research shows that kids as young as three can benefit from Karate. According to a study in The Sport Journal, martial arts can help kids as young as three years old improve their physical fitness, including coordination, flexibility, and strength. And you absolutely should! One can learn karate at almost any age.

It can be difficult for kids younger than 5 to learn due to their short attention span, but there are some children who can handle a kids class as young as 4.