| *Please note: While this piece was written | | | | oncoming punch or not offer the protection |
| directed at parents of youth members, adult | | | | where needed. As children advance in martial |
| students should keep all of the relevant | | | | arts, the foot and hand gear will usually |
| safety points in mind. Remember: Safety and | | | | wear out before it can be outgrown. If the |
| vigilance are not 'things' to do. They are | | | | foot gear is a little large, consider wearing |
| constant states of mind.Occasionally, a staff | | | | padded insteps for a better fit. Be certain |
| member or I will have a parent come to us | | | | the fingers fit in the hand gears' finger |
| with something like: "This past year, my | | | | tabs.Periodically check the equipment at all |
| daughter grew six inches and gained 50 | | | | flex or stress points for wear; this is any |
| pounds. As a result, I had to buy | | | | place the gear bends, flexes or has an air |
| protective gear twice. It's so expensive and | | | | hole. If you have any questions about fit or |
| she is heading for another growth spurt. Is | | | | wear, ask your child's instructor.Also, take |
| all this martial arts safety equipment | | | | advantage of the academy's sales and let |
| necessary?"The answer, honestly, is Yes! You | | | | friends and relatives know during gift-giving |
| see, a lot more is changing with your child | | | | holidays like birthdays and Christmas, etc. |
| than just height and weight. We as parents | | | | if there is something they can order from the |
| and teachers easily notice the emotional and | | | | school that your son or daughter might |
| physical changes in children as they grow | | | | need.It not only helps you to keep your |
| older, however, the mental and skeletal | | | | child's gear in top-notch shape, but also |
| changes we can't see are just as important | | | | shows your child that other members of the |
| and unpredictable. During growth spurts, the | | | | family, like grandparents, aunts and uncles, |
| bones are growing quicker than the muscles | | | | etc. are just as involved and supportive of |
| and tendons.Even as they reach their full | | | | the training as you are.Also, to assist in |
| height, their skeletal and muscular systems | | | | preventing bone and muscle injuries during |
| are not fully developed making them | | | | growth spurts, be certain your child warms-up |
| vulnerable to injury - not just in martial | | | | and then stretches before any physical |
| arts training, but in many other sports and | | | | activity. Have them stop if stabbing pain |
| activities as well. During the growth spurts, | | | | occurs (aching and burning is natural as the |
| your child will probably be less coordinated | | | | muscles are taken to greater ranges).Stabbing |
| until he or she adjusts to the physical | | | | pain is not normal and can cause serious |
| change. This is normal, but can cause | | | | injury. Train your child to avoid continuous |
| injuries if protective gear does not fit | | | | repetitious motions that can affect growth |
| properly.Are you considering buying a larger | | | | development. Call your health care provider |
| size so it lasts longer?Please keep in mind | | | | with any questions or concerns you may |
| that mouth guards are relatively inexpensive, | | | | have.Above all, be mindfully aware of safety |
| especially considering the protection they | | | | and the steps needed to protect your most |
| offer. Make sure they fit properly and | | | | precious assets - the lives of yourself and |
| replace them with new ones as needed. Head | | | | those you love!Read more articles like this |
| gear should always fit properly. Tight head | | | | by subscribing to the author's newsletter at: |
| gear may cause headaches, but loose head gear | | | | Jeffrey M. Miller is the founder and master |
| my slip and blind a child momentarily from an | | | | instructor of Warrior Concepts International. |