| Admit it. When the going gets tough at home, we've | | | | Karate • Uses defensive and aggressive |
| all plopped the kids in front of the television and | | | | moves • Centers on building strength and |
| breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, we can get started | | | | endurance • Involves chops, punches, kicks, |
| on dinner, maybe check email or sort that massive | | | | strikes, blocking and sparring • May use |
| pile of laundry. But when your five-year old yells at | | | | weapons Jujitsu • Uses defensive and |
| you "Mom, Kids Rule!" or your ten-year old horrifies | | | | aggressive moves • Involves lots of sparring |
| you with language that would make a sailor blush, | | | | • Teaches a fair amount of weapons |
| you realize there must be something amiss with what | | | | training Aikido • Uses a more "spiritual" and |
| these "family programs" really teach our kids. And | | | | harmonious style in redirecting the aggression of the |
| sadly, its happening all over the media today, from | | | | attacker as the form of defense, using throws, pins, |
| sports to cartoons, and our children are learning | | | | rolls etc. • Taught on the premise of |
| things that we, as parents, vowed we would never | | | | disabling an aggressor without attacking, through your |
| teach them. Old fashioned values like respect and | | | | individual inner energy • Does not involve |
| self-discipline, seems to have been forgotten, | | | | sparring or competitions Judo • Uses gentle, |
| replaced by the dreaded "bling bling" pop culture of | | | | "wrestling-like" movements • Considered one |
| today. Just the thought of your angelic three-year old | | | | of the safest methods of martial arts • |
| morphing into a designer-clad, smart-mouthed, | | | | Emphasizes physical control as well as mental |
| money-worshipping, me-obsessed, lay-about is | | | | development • Engages in competitions |
| enough to make any parent consider that threatening | | | | Martial Arts From China Kung-Fu • The |
| military school brochure, but there is a solution out | | | | generic term referring to Chinese martial arts with a |
| there to consider. Martial Arts Training From Ninja | | | | variety of styles • Involves attack |
| Turtles to The Karate Kid You and your kids have all | | | | movements as well as defensive techniques |
| seen the flying kicks, battle cries and mighty chops | | | | • Teaches kicks, punches, chops, throws, |
| of their favorite TV characters, as they beat the bad | | | | falls, grappling, katas, leg sweeps and blows among |
| guys to submission - but, you may ask, how on earth | | | | others. • Engages in sparring competitions |
| can these acts of violence teach my child anything | | | | Martial Arts From Korea Taekwondo • |
| worthwhile? First, know that what you see on | | | | Competitive in nature, involves techniques using |
| television (save perhaps the Karate Kid) is a far cry | | | | elaborate footwork and unique high kicks. • |
| from what real martial arts are all about. The fact is, | | | | Emphasizes strength, force and attack methods. |
| martial arts training is based on non-violence. | | | | • Engages in lots of sparring and |
| Originating in Asia (mainly Japan, China and Korea, | | | | competitions. Choosing The Right Instruction If you |
| although Thailand and Vietnam have their own | | | | have an idea of the type of martial arts class you'd |
| practices as well), martial arts range from a variety | | | | like your child to participate in, the next step would |
| of types and styles, all of which are based on | | | | be to find the right school. Finding the right class that |
| well-rounded, moral teachings. The beauty of learning | | | | not only matches your child's and your needs, in |
| martial arts is that it encompasses not just the | | | | terms of teachers you feel comfortable with, the |
| physical aspect of the "sport", but mental and | | | | price, facilities and so on, are all important factors. |
| emotional lessons as well. Comparing that to other | | | | Say you've found a local place that specializes in |
| kid's activities and sports, where fierce | | | | Karate for Kids. What are the things you should look |
| competitiveness and "winning at all costs" seems to | | | | for? 1. Good Instructors Check out their qualifications, |
| be the order of the day, it's not surprising that many | | | | teaching methods and watch carefully how they |
| children grapple with issues of self-esteem and | | | | interact with the other children. It should be a fun |
| misplaced aggression. Now imagine your child actually | | | | learning experience! 2. Space and Safety Obviously |
| learning valuable life lessons, skills that he will take | | | | you would want to entrust your child in as |
| throughout life, laying the foundation for a happy, | | | | establishment that is safe, well-maintained, and clean |
| well-adjusted and fulfilled adult life. If only karate for | | | | with ample space as well as decent facilities and |
| kids was popular in the 70's, when I was growing up! | | | | equipment. 3. School Values Different martial arts |
| The Advantages • Karate, and other martial | | | | schools inevitably go by different values, for instance, |
| arts for kids, builds confidence and self-esteem as | | | | one kid's karate class may handle aggression in one |
| well as self-discipline, respect, concentration and | | | | way, while a judo class would have a different |
| courtesy. • Many martial arts schools also | | | | approach. Take some time to observe which school's |
| offer leadership courses for kids, in conjunction with | | | | ideals match your family's principles. 4. Prices and |
| their karate for kids programs, or similar lessons. | | | | Schedules Prices for martial arts training can vary |
| • Martial Arts is ideal for children who do not | | | | according to school and location, so make sure you |
| do well in team sports, giving them the ability to | | | | the instruction you choose represents fair value. |
| flourish this activity, while combining physical and | | | | Finding the most effective way to fit martial arts |
| mental practices. • Many do not realize this, | | | | training into your family's lifestyle is also essential, |
| but it is a fact that martial arts training are safer than | | | | knowing what works best with your schedule and |
| most school sports. • Children with special | | | | other activities. Baby Blackbelts Starting your child |
| needs, such as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), | | | | young in karate training is ideal (children as young as |
| learning difficulties and hyperactivity are often | | | | the age of four are usually accepted, as it is also a |
| recommended to participate in martial arts for kids | | | | good way to hone fine motor skills), and lots of |
| because of the clear benefits in its structured training | | | | parents have found that in as little as a year, their |
| techniques. Kung-Fu Master or Ninja Warrior? Before | | | | children who were involved in martial arts had |
| you sign up Junior for the first martial arts class you | | | | noticeably gained positive traits such as increased |
| see, take some time to check out the different | | | | self-esteem, respect and overall physical fitness. |
| methods available, and match it with what you know | | | | Many parents also opt to join a martial arts training |
| would suit your child best. This is a good way to | | | | program themselves, making it a great bonding |
| avoid any problems that may sprout from a conflict | | | | experience for the entire family. For more |
| of your child's personality and the training techniques. | | | | information, please go to our site: - Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Is your little Zach a sensitive soul? Then maybe a | | | | Maryland (BJJ) and Muay Thai Boxing Maryland, |
| class that doesn't center on sparring (full-on kicks and | | | | Virginia and DC's own Lloyd Irvin is a Brazilan Jiu-Jitsu, |
| punches training) but rather, slower, defensive | | | | Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (GJJ) and Grappling Hall of Fame |
| maneuvers would fare better for him. Kids with an | | | | Inductee. He is now offering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in |
| aggressive streak, however, may prefer the more | | | | Maryland and a FREE 30 Day Trial of his Brazilian |
| forceful moves and thrive in competitive sparring. | | | | Jiu-Jitsu Maryland (BJJ), Thai Kick Boxing , Maryland |
| Here's a quick primer on the kid-friendly martial arts | | | | Boxing and Mixed Martial Arts program. |
| training you're likely to find: Martial Arts From Japan | | | | |