Martial Arts Teaches More Than Just Fighting Skills

Parents these days have a lot to worry about when it comes to their kids. Bullying is an increasing problem and many kids are in danger of being the victim of a bully or becoming one themselves. Parents often sign their kids up for martial arts classes to learn self-defense but are pleasantly surprised when the kids learn more than just fighting skills.

So Much More Than Fighting Skills

A part of good parenting is preparing our kids for life by teaching them as much as we can. Martial arts training does more for a child than just giving them the skills to defend themselves in any situation; it also teaches them that they are strong, confident people who can make the right decisions and be successful in life.

Sign Up for Self-defense, and Learn Skills for Life

Parents will often say that they signed their child up for classes to learn how to protect themselves so they are not at the mercy of a bully, but as they come to classes with their child and sit on the sidelines observing, something happens that they never expected. Their child that was maybe a little stubborn, wouldn’t listen or had trouble getting along with others is now paying attention and learning how to work as a team. Their overall attitude improves and they begin to display cooperation and good sportsmanship.

Confidence, Self-esteem, and Discipline

Training teaches them the foundation of discipline and focus, which is very important in all aspects of life, not just martial arts. In class, they learn to quiet the mind and block out distractions so they can focus their attention on the skills being taught, as they gain more and more practice, this new ability begins to spill over into other areas of their life showing up as cooperation at home and at school. Teachers are the first ones to notice this and will ask parents “what happened? Timmy’s behavior is so much better.” When a child gains confidence and self-respect through discipline a change happens from within that is truly remarkable.

Be Part of the Team

No matter what age, kids have a need to feel like they belong. Training fulfills that need for acceptance and belonging steering them away from the lure of gangs and criminal activity. After-school classes take the place of mindless hours of playing video games or hanging out at a friend’s house when the parents are not at home. Studies show that most criminal activity involving kids occurs between the hours of 3 pm and 7 pm, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Learning to Make Better Decisions

Besides learning fighting skills, kids gain a little built-in mechanism to keep them from getting into bad situations. They learn how their decisions and actions can affect themselves and others, and how to think things through and make better decisions. Through practice, they learn that if they misjudge an opponent’s intention or their timing is off they will not be successful in their attempt to perform the technique correctly resulting in a fail. When it comes to parenting a child we try to give them the tools they need to be successful and to be productive members of society.

Success Beyond Training

The skills your child learns today will serve him all the days of his life. If they learn confidence, respect for self and others, and working as a team they will be able to avoid many bad situations that may lead them down the path to a life of isolation and crime.