| Parents who are thinking about enrolling their | | | | motivation. That said, even though a child won't |
| children into martial arts classes will naturally have | | | | normally suffer broken bones during sparring, it |
| a number of concerns. They'll want to know the | | | | can happen. Sometimes, they'll fall on the mat |
| age groups that students are divided into. They'll | | | | wrong. Other times, their ankle can twist badly. |
| want to know that their child won't be sparring | | | | Or, their opponent can be too aggressive with a |
| against much older kids. Also, what steps will be | | | | throw or takedown. |
| taken to make sure their child remains safe? | | | | Schools should obviously take as many safety |
| What happens in the event of an injury? How are | | | | precautions as possible to prevent a child from |
| behavioral issues dealt with? Below, we'll discuss | | | | being injured. However, if it happens and the |
| some of these factors (and others) that come | | | | injury is minor, kids should be encouraged to |
| into play when teaching children martial arts. | | | | simply shake it off. Psychologically, being thrown |
| How Young Is Too Young? | | | | can seem traumatic. The sooner a child gets up |
| One of the main concerns that parents have is | | | | and returns to the mat, the less impact it will |
| placing their child in classes at too young an age. | | | | have on them mentally. |
| In truth, children adapt extremely quickly to many | | | | If there's pain, sympathize. Acknowledge it. |
| forms of martial arts. It's not uncommon to visit | | | | Children want to be reassured that authority |
| a school and observe 3 and 4-year-olds sparring | | | | figures (whether their parents or the instructor) |
| under the watchful supervision of capable trainers. | | | | are watching out for their overall safety. If the |
| The question is often one of psychology. Some | | | | injury is more serious, seek medical attention, of |
| styles focus on grappling and throwing. Others | | | | course. But, this will rarely, if ever, happen. |
| emphasize striking. While teenagers can adapt to | | | | Dealing With Drama |
| striking styles quickly, young kids have to cross a | | | | Young kids are prone to being dramatic when |
| psychological chasm to do so. | | | | they're thrown on the mat. They'll feign pain by |
| Parents can confidently place their kids into | | | | whining or crying. In most cases, if a child is in |
| classes starting at 3 or 4 years of age. But, they | | | | serious pain, he'll scream rather than whine, cry, |
| should not allow them exposure to disciplines that | | | | or whimper. Most instructors will intuitively know |
| involve striking or other aggressive techniques. | | | | the difference between a true injury and mere |
| Striking styles are best left for later ages when | | | | drama. Parents, on the other hand, are often |
| children have matured emotionally. | | | | overly-protective of their kids, which caters to a |
| What Style Is Best? | | | | child's penchant for being dramatic. If a parent's |
| If striking martial arts are out, what styles are | | | | responses are controlled, it can represent a |
| more suitable for kids? Any type of martial art | | | | turning point in how a child reacts to adverse |
| that focuses on grappling techniques will be | | | | influences. |
| appropriate. Most of them, such as kung fu, | | | | The important thing to remember is that martial |
| emphasize throwing and sweeping. Not only is this | | | | arts is a channel through which young kids can be |
| less-confrontational than direct striking, but it helps | | | | taught several admirable qualities. They'll learn |
| children develop agility, speed, and balance in an | | | | respect, discipline, and emotional control. They'll |
| environment that isn't overtly aggressive. | | | | develop physical balance, coordination, and speed. |
| Dealing With Injuries | | | | The key is in the approach to teaching. And that, |
| Injuries are inevitable. Most of them will be minor | | | | in itself, is an art. |
| and can be shaken off easily with the right | | | | |