| "Daddy, I want to take Karate!" | | | | certain time period to participate. The locations |
| "Mommy, Jimmy on the bus hit me again today" | | | | are run like a gym membership, you pay for a |
| There are many reasons why parents want to | | | | certain length of time and may participate as |
| sign their children up for Self Defense or Martial | | | | often as you desire. |
| Arts classes. Once you have made the decision, | | | | Unfortunately, rarely are the "hidden costs" |
| now you are faced with many different options | | | | discussed when signing up for a class or |
| and questions. What style? How much does it | | | | membership. What are the hidden costs? The |
| cost? Is my child to young? | | | | most over looked cost is the "testing fee". In |
| Martial Arts and Self Defense Styles | | | | Martial Arts there are numerous skill levels that |
| There are as many different styles of Martial | | | | are equated to a belt rank. After a certain period |
| Arts as there are religions in the world. You have | | | | of time and training, the student is ready to |
| probably heard of Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Jujitsu, | | | | advance to a new level or belt in their martial arts |
| and even Aikido, but there are still numerous | | | | style, and a "belt test" will be performed. This |
| styles and offshoots of the Major styles. | | | | "belt test" almost always required the student to |
| So what Style is the Best and what style should I | | | | pay a "belt-testing fee". I have seen fees from |
| choose? | | | | $50 up to $500 depending on the belt rank. |
| In reality, it is this author's opinion that the style | | | | Parents, make sure you inquire about these fees |
| of Martial Arts your child will learn is not that | | | | and are comfortable with them before you sign |
| important. What is important is the method of | | | | any contract. |
| teaching and training that your child will undergo. | | | | Another hidden cost is required items to purchase. |
| With Martial Arts training your child should learn | | | | Some locations require that you purchase a |
| self-discipline, self-respect, and self-esteem, along | | | | uniform with the schools logo. The average cost |
| with the confidence and ability to defend | | | | of these uniforms range from $30-$50. As the |
| themselves. | | | | child advances in rank, protective sparring gear is |
| The Instructor, (or Sensei) is the key. I suggest | | | | required. Now this is normally mandatory for the |
| that all parents visit several locations with their | | | | child's protection and safety, but can be |
| children to observe the Instructor at work. Make | | | | expensive. Normal safety gear for Martial Arts |
| sure you visit a beginner's class as well as an | | | | consists of Foot Pads, Hand Pads, Head Gear, |
| upper level class. The beginner's class is where | | | | Mouth Piece, Groin Cup, and optional Spar Vest. |
| your child will start. | | | | Depending on the style and sizes all this gear |
| Does the instructor's personality and philosophy | | | | together cost about $150 retail or higher. |
| match your morals and ideals? Does the class | | | | So Parents, factor in the total cost of classes, |
| participate in any "Eastern Religious" practice that | | | | testing fees, and required equipment when making |
| doesn't match your faith? Do you want your child | | | | your decisions. |
| viewing this instructor as a role model? Most | | | | Age |
| children will look up to their Martial Arts & | | | | At what age should my child begin Martial Arts or |
| Self Defense Instructors as role models and will | | | | Self Defense? Now this is an often-debated issue. |
| be in awe of their skills and abilities. Make sure | | | | I have seen children as young as 4 years old |
| that this person who will be dealing with your | | | | participate in Martial Arts or Self Defense training. |
| children matches your values. | | | | Some have been successful while others it was |
| It is also important to view an upper level class. | | | | just to young. The age of which a child should |
| The beginner classes are usually very tame, and | | | | start Martial Arts or Self Defense classes should |
| the teaching philosophy is tailored to a younger | | | | be judged on an individual basis and be determined |
| audience. However, the older the student is, the | | | | by the parents. Some key points to consider. |
| "real" teaching and training methods are put into | | | | Does the child have a good attention span? Has |
| effect. You may feel comfortable with how the | | | | the child participated and flourished in other group |
| instructor "teaches" the younger beginning | | | | activities? Is the child comfortable in larger group |
| students, but may not be comfortable with how | | | | settings? |
| they handle the older students. | | | | If the child is currently enrolled in grade school and |
| Cost | | | | has no problem adapting to those settings or |
| The majority of Martial Arts & Self Defense | | | | conditions then they should be considered old |
| Locations (or Dojo's) run their business on a | | | | enough to participate and benefit from Martial |
| membership basis. Customers must sign | | | | Arts or Self Defense instruction. |
| contracts, where they are obligated to pay for a | | | | |