| Beginner level Karate Kids seem to be getting | | | | · Do you have realistic expectations for your |
| younger and younger nowadays. What is the right | | | | child? Karate for a 4-year old should be about |
| age to start the martial arts? Is your little one ready | | | | coordination, focus and fun. It is not about |
| to become a karate kid? | | | | self-defense or hard core discipline at this age. These |
| Back when I started practicing martial arts in the | | | | aspects will be gradually introduced over time as they |
| early 1980s in England the youngest child my local | | | | get older. |
| karate school would take was 8 years old. | | | | · Can your child stay focused for about a |
| Consequently I started karate at the age of 8. I was | | | | half-hour at a time? Most young kids have very short |
| then thrown in with the older kids and the adults and | | | | attention spans and consequently when teaching |
| was given the option to "sink or swim". | | | | karate to a 4-year old an instructor needs to use a |
| As karate has become more popular over the years, | | | | series of short but focused drills that flow from one |
| kids of a younger age are getting started in the | | | | to the other. Be sure to find an instructor who uses |
| martial arts. There has of course been a strong | | | | this type of method so that your child will maintain |
| influence from the Ninja Turtles and the Power | | | | interest for the whole duration of the class. |
| Rangers but also with the ever expanding commercial | | | | ·Can your child follow one or two-step |
| karate schools, specialized programs for the little kids | | | | instructions? Your child needs to be able to follow |
| are becoming more and more popular. Programs with | | | | basic directions in order to function in the karate |
| names such as Tiny Tigers, Little Ninjas or Little | | | | class. |
| Dragons abound in most martial arts schools. So at | | | | If your child does not do this at home then it may |
| what age are kids being accepted into these | | | | be a sign that he or she will also struggle at first in |
| programs? | | | | the karate class. On the other hand a karate class |
| It seems that the age of 3 ½ to 4 years old is | | | | may be the ideal place to help your child learn the |
| the youngest age for kids to be accepted into a | | | | value of structure and basic discipline. |
| martial arts program. This basically coincides with the | | | | All of the above points are just some ideas that you |
| age that a child can begin pre-school and this is no | | | | should ask yourself when thinking about enrolling your |
| coincidence. So if your child is around 4 years old | | | | young child in a martial arts class. The bottom line is |
| then he or she will probably be accepted into your | | | | you probably won't know all of the answers unless |
| local martial arts school. However there are other | | | | you give it a go but at the very least you should |
| factors that you should be aware of. | | | | have some ideas of what to expect and how you |
| · Is this the first time your child has been | | | | can help your child make a successful transition into a |
| involved in a group activity? If so be prepared for | | | | fun and very valuable activity. |
| some initial nervousness and unwillingness to get out | | | | If you want some more tips on how to make a |
| on the floor without you. | | | | successful start in your karate practice then check |
| · Have you already taken your child to your | | | | out my FREE Report "Karate for Newcomers: How |
| local martial arts school to watch a class? If not, then | | | | To Find Out Everything You Need to Know to Start |
| do so as this is a great opportunity to pre-frame | | | | Your Karate Practice". You will find out how to |
| your child so he or she knows what is expected and | | | | download it at |
| what a karate school and karate class looks like. | | | | Good luck and best wishes on your journey in karate. |