HOW TO GET CHILDREN STARTED WITH MARTIAL ARTS
Martial arts are good for kids. This isn’t about exposing them to violence, in what often seems like an increasingly violent world. No, what martial arts training can do is offer children a way to develop self-discipline and self-confidence, while providing them with an excellent source of exercise.
But how should you get children started with martial arts, especially at a time when Covid-19 restrictions are affecting social interaction and leisure activities?
At Storm Family Martial Arts, we have been providing virtual training via zoom along with our other martial arts programmes.
But first, let’s look at the benefits of martial arts for children.
MENTAL BENEFITS OF CHILDREN’S MARTIAL ARTS
A huge part of martial arts training is about self-discipline. It helps develop children’s emotional control and understand and set their personal boundaries.
As they train, they learn that acting recklessly and impulsively will hamper their progress.
Martial arts training instils ways of controlling and channelling their emotions, which in turn helps them achieve what they’re aiming for. This sense of discipline extends to seeing a challenge through to its conclusion. And to do this requires concentration and motivation.
It also enables kids to recognise their own limitations and weaknesses and how following a set of rules can help them overcome them.
Learning martial arts is about effective decision-making too. Kids can improve their decision-making skills, and how to judge and react to situations quickly and effectively.
This decisiveness happens under pressure, where the individual must decide what moves to use against an opponent. This type of decisiveness is highly translatable in both wider social and educational settings.
Hand-in-hand with discipline comes respect. Martial arts teaches children respect. Firstly, there is the strict social etiquette within Storm Family Martial Arts itself. This includes the behaviours and rituals associated with martial arts.
But children also learn valuable life skills associated with discipline. They learn that, by showing respect at all times, they help themselves and others achieve goals. Learning these essential team skills will equip them for later life and the world of work.
Another mental benefit of martial arts training for kids is focus. Learning martial arts is demanding, complex and immersive.
To do this well, children must learn how to focus on what they are being taught. Much martial arts training involves teaching things before students can put them into practice. This requires both patience and concentration on the part of the martial arts student.
Where kids have had previous problems in focusing, martial arts training can help with this. Psychologically, learning martial arts can help children who have ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
It channels their energies, helps to stop them becoming distracted, and keeps them alert and focused with its rapid pace.
PHYSICAL BENEFITS OF CHILDREN’S MARTIAL ARTS
The World Health Organisation recommends levels of activity for 5 – 17 year olds, but reports suggest that many children are not getting this activity.
Martial arts are a great source of fitness and general health for children. Warm-up exercises will help, but then the movements themselves engage numerous key body parts.
A solid core and good cardiovascular health provide the essential building blocks for a lifetime of fitness.
Along with general fitness levels, martial arts are especially good at improving balance and co-ordination. Typically, kids spend a lot of time hunched in front of screens, whether television or computer devices. Martial arts can help improve both posture and balance.
Co-ordination is another essential aspect of martial arts training, hand-to-eye and foot-to-eye. When kids are better co-ordinated, they are less likely to suffer injuries while being more aware of how to use their bodies effectively.
HOW TO GET STARTED ?
At Storm Family Martial Arts, we have classes in Maidenhead, Bracknell, Warfield, Wokingham and Windsor for the entire family. We specialise in teaching complete beginners right through to experienced Black Belts.
Our syllabus is a unique blend of martial arts styles, including Kickboxing, Karate, Taekwondo, Eskrima and The Fight SMART System. We have bespoke classes for children, teenagers, adults and ladies only classes.
‘Developing Champions For Life’ is our outstanding, award winning martial arts programme for children and each month the children have a different theme such as Confidence, Respect, Teamwork, Honesty, Determination, Courage, Helpfulness, Integrity, Goal Setting.
We offer a free trial in our beginners martial arts classes in Maidenhead, Bracknell, Warfield, Windsor and Wokingham.
Children’s Martial Arts in Maidenhead, Bracknell, Warfield, Wokingham & Windsor
