| In this continuing series, let's address more | | | | schools teach more of one technique such as: |
| issues and frequently asked questions that | | | | punching, kicking, joint locks, sweeps, and |
| concern parents who seek to enroll their | | | | throws. |
| child in a martial arts program. The first | | | | |
| question in this part is possibly the most | | | | At our wellness center in North Providence, |
| important one of all. | | | | Rhode Island, we teach all of those aspects, |
| | | | and we also teach self-defense through |
| How do I find the right martial arts teacher | | | | communication. For example: Wouldn't it be |
| for my kids? | | | | better to prevent a physical conflict by |
| | | | talking it out? If a child is fully capable |
| You will know when you have a face-to-face | | | | of defending himself or herself, why should |
| meeting and observe him or her teach a | | | | he or she pursue a physical fight? |
| martial arts class. The chemistry between a | | | | |
| prospective martial arts teacher and you | | | | As adults, we know that the diplomatic |
| should be good. | | | | approach to a physical conflict will not |
| | | | always work, but it is worth a try. Our |
| After all, your child is supposed to learn | | | | children need to look at social skills, |
| courtesy, respect, self-discipline, goal | | | | awareness, and courtesy as survival tools. |
| setting, and many more life skills from his | | | | Whether they are walking down a street, or |
| or her martial arts instructor. If the | | | | entering the workplace, these skills are |
| martial arts teacher you are considering | | | | extremely important. |
| displays none of the above-mentioned | | | | |
| qualities, please continue to shop around. | | | | Know your goals and your child's needs. |
| | | | Please make sure your reasons for enrolling |
| It makes no difference if your child is | | | | your son or daughter in martial arts classes |
| learning Karate, Jujitsu, Aikido, Judo, Tae | | | | are sound. Martial arts for your child, is |
| Kwon Do, or Kung Fu, when the teacher is not | | | | his or her personal endeavor. You can share |
| a good role model. You don't need to expose | | | | in the feeling of accomplishment by being |
| your children to hazards or questionable | | | | supportive and watch them grow to be |
| characters in order for them to learn martial | | | | successful. Success is one of the most |
| arts. The martial arts school philosophy, and | | | | important gifts we can give to our children. |
| the instructors, should meet your standard - | | | | |
| never settle for less. | | | | The ideal martial arts instructor should have |
| | | | knowledge of sports medicine and CPR |
| Are you looking for discipline, academic | | | | training. This may be one of the reasons why |
| improvement, life skills, tournament | | | | serious injuries are rare. Make sure that the |
| competition, self-defense, or a positive | | | | safety of each child is a priority with the |
| activity? Martial arts studios are not | | | | martial arts school you choose. |
| created equally. A life skills school may not | | | | |
| meet the needs of a competitive parent or | | | | Some parents may feel I play it too safe |
| child. A "tournament school" that teaches | | | | within a karate class, but they have not seen |
| Sport Karate, Sport Jujitsu, or enters many | | | | a child knocked unconscious, a broken nose, |
| competitions, may be lacking in life skills | | | | or loss of blood, in my school. When I was a |
| and so forth. | | | | Sport Karate coach, referee, and judge, I saw |
| | | | all of those things in tournaments, and |
| This is not meant to take away the value of | | | | children were all wearing protective |
| any aspect in martial arts training, but to | | | | equipment. |
| make you, as a parent, aware that the | | | | |
| emphasis will be different from one type of | | | | Therefore, safety precautions are a very |
| school to another. Also, the self-defense | | | | important factor, when deciding which martial |
| aspect will be taught differently within each | | | | arts school you should choose for your child. |
| martial arts school. Some martial arts | | | | |