Martial arts are an ancient Asian practice traditionally for self-defense. In modern times, people practice martial arts to stay physically fit, train self-discipline, and build self-confidence.
Whether it’s Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, or taekwondo, martial arts offers many benefits to its practitioners. Each has its way of training the mind and body. Below we list down ten benefits your kids can attain from martial arts training. If you want to know more, talk to a Monroe martial arts instructor to see which martial arts fits your goals.
The Benefits of Martial Arts for Kids
Boost Self-Confidence
Kids are at the point where they may feel left out from their peers or awkward around others. But plenty of kids think that martial arts are cool! Martial arts lessons can give them a boost in self-esteem to feel confident around other kids.
Teach Respect
Kids have to show respect to both their peers and their instructor. Traditional martial arts require some sort of gesture of respect, such as bowing. In their classes, the children are encouraged to build and encourage one another.
Follow the rules and Instructions.
They provide structure and transparent rules. A good martial arts instructor sets out the rules plainly and clearly and consistently reinforces them. They should also emphasize that the kids should observe proper behavior in and out of the class.
Train Motor Coordination
In training martial arts, your kids become aware of their body and how it moves. The repeated activity of the moves also contributes to improving their flexibility. If your kids struggle with their motor skills, try training them under experienced martial artists.
Mental Training
Ask any martial artist, and they’ll tell you how their training builds their self-control, discipline, and concentration. Attention is key to martial arts. Kids have to focus on learning the movements and carrying them out. Instructors emphasize keeping concentration and anticipate what’s about to happen next.
Learn to Build Habits and Routines
In martial arts school, instructors break down complex techniques into simple moves. These complicated movements are learned by repeatedly practicing each step and gradually adding the next one, combining them into one fluid motion. This lesson carries even outside of martial arts, like building study habits.
Set Goals and Achieve Them at Pace
Some kids feel like they can never “win” and set themselves up for failure. In martial arts, there are specific goals they can work towards at their own pace. They can go from white belt to black belt when they grow their skills. This reward system in a pressure-free environment can be great for your kids’ motivation to achieving their goals.
Stress-Free Growth
Most martial arts schools focus on self-improvement, not competing with the team. Children may feel pressured compared with other kids in their martial arts classes. However, in any martial art, the focus is on the self.
If these sound like benefits you want your kids to experience, then don’t delay. Enroll your children in premier Monroe kids’ martial arts classes now and get them started on building up their physical fitness and honing their mental well-being.
What to Look For in a Martial Arts Academy
Before looking into whether your kid should take tae kwon do, mixed martial arts, or karate, consider the best martial arts school for their needs first. Before signing up and finalizing the class schedule, talk to the instructor or the head of the academy of martial arts. Be open about your expectations and about what your child’s challenges are. Be sure to be clear so that the instructors can best help you.
If you’re not sure what to look for, the martial arts academy should:
- Be supportive. The teacher should exercise balance, pushing the child towards their goals and being supportive and encouraging to them.
- Have a low student-to-teacher ratio. If there are too few teachers with too many students, then your child may not get as much attention as they need.
- Take a traditional approach to martial arts that focuses on building character more than anything.
If you live in Louisiana, then Pinnacle Martial Arts Academy may be the best option for you and your child. Our training center offers martial arts classes for all ages: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, wrestling, kickboxing, and even private one-to-one sessions! Contact our Monroe martial arts academy now for more information.