Benefits for Kids Studying Martial Arts

As a parent, there are many activities that we consider for our kids to not only have enjoy but also prepare them for later life. There are only so many hours in a day. So, we must be selective on which activities to fit into the schedule. As a practitioner and a teacher of the martial arts for more than forty years, I think studying the martial arts can be an invaluable experience with lessons that last a lifetime.

Self-Discipline

Good martial artists develop good self-discipline. Martial arts is about self discovery and continuous learning and practice to constantly improve your skills.

Get Active

It gets kids away from their screens and encourages them to be more physically active. Learning a martial art is a full body workout, extends your range of motion, increases your endurance, increases your speed, and improves your reaction time.

Setting Goals

Competitions or tournaments helps children aim for goals in life, develop camaraderie, and encourages good sportsmanship.

Respect

Martial arts teaches kids to respect their instructor and each other as they learn the art.

Listening

Listening is key in martial arts and in life. The instructor is constantly giving feedback to students and listening is instrumental in improving your skills.

Increases self-esteem and confidence

When a child masters a new skill, it boosts their confidence and gives them a sense of achievement. Working their way up through the ranks also shows that hard work pays off. As you advance through the martial arts, part of your responsibility is to share what you have learned to help others martial arts students to improve. Your communication and social skills improve with every student you help.

Teamwork

Often in practice, classes will work in pairs to develop their skills with the help of their partner. Each person is working together to improve by providing physical contact and feedback.

Conflict Resolution

A common misconception of martial arts is that they promote violent behaviour but in fact it is quite the opposite. Martial arts teach children peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution skills and emphasise that physical altercations should be avoided.