| ost common mistake that parents make when | | | | classes is critical. The dojo's trainer might be |
| enrolling their kids into martial arts classes is | | | | proficient and use an encouraging training style, |
| choosing the wrong instructor. You can select an | | | | but your child can still feel uncomfortable in his |
| inappropriate style for your child (for example, | | | | company. Eventually, that lack of comfort will |
| karate versus aikido) and make a change later. | | | | affect how much they get out of the classes. |
| But, the wrong trainer can stifle the excitement a | | | | Visit the dojo with your son or daughter and |
| young person feels for learning the martial arts. | | | | encourage them to ask the instructor questions |
| What's worse, a bad teacher can unwittingly | | | | about the training. That exposure will help them |
| discourage their participation. It is not enough that | | | | gain familiarity with the teacher. |
| a teacher has a black belt; proficiency in the | | | | Safety |
| various styles does not suggest competence in | | | | Of course, ensuring your child's safety is the most |
| training children. | | | | important factor when choosing a martial arts |
| In this article, we'll discuss four factors that every | | | | instructor. You might be surprised by the |
| parent should consider before choosing a martial | | | | differences between trainers. Some teach children |
| arts instructor for their kids. Each factor requires | | | | to break wooden boards with their limbs. Keep in |
| asking questions and observing classes. You'll need | | | | mind that young people's bones are still growing; |
| to uncover the trainer's philosophy as well as their | | | | board-breaking might pose a problem. Other |
| style of training and the regimen they follow. You | | | | teachers routinely encourage their students to |
| should also consider your child's comfort level with | | | | "shake it off" in the event they're injured. While |
| the trainer and their approach to safety issues. | | | | that might be appropriate in circumstances where |
| Philosophy | | | | a child simply wants attention, the teacher must |
| Every dojo has a guiding philosophy and they | | | | be able to identify when a real emergency exists. |
| vary by facility. Some academies emphasize | | | | You'll need to observe a few classes in order to |
| self-defense and may teach an aggressive | | | | truly understand a teacher's approach to safety |
| response to hostile situations. Other schools stress | | | | issues. Take note of how they treat children who |
| personal growth, physical and mental discipline, and | | | | claim to be injured. They should use a balanced |
| cultivating respect for others. The school that you | | | | approach that is neither too dismissive nor overly |
| choose for your children should encourage | | | | protective. |
| principles that are consistent with the values you | | | | Long-Term Instruction |
| want them to learn. While most teachers will | | | | Philosophy, training style, level of comfort, and |
| conduct their classes under the dojo's philosophy, | | | | approach to safety... each factor is critical to |
| you should ask in order to be certain. | | | | ensuring that your child gets as much out of his |
| Training Style | | | | or her martial arts classes as possible. These |
| Every martial arts instructor will have their own | | | | factors play an enormous role in kids' physical and |
| style of training kids. Some styles may be | | | | mental development during training. The teacher |
| inappropriate. For example, a trainer might be | | | | who provides the right balance often establishes a |
| verbally abusive if a child makes mistakes or | | | | bond with students that becomes an integral |
| otherwise fails to perform. Some instructors will | | | | component of their progress. |
| merely explain moves rather than demonstrating | | | | One of the challenges of finding a great instructor |
| them. Still others will overcompensate for their | | | | is knowing that they'll teach at the dojo long-term. |
| students' age and speak in a manner that is more | | | | Smaller academies typically offer trainers who |
| appropriate for smaller children. | | | | have been there for years; some are even |
| The problem is that a child's appetite to learn the | | | | owners. Larger schools may experience higher |
| martial arts must be nurtured in the right way. If | | | | turnover. Keep that in mind while you're visiting |
| an instructor's training style fails to do so, that | | | | different studios with your child. |
| child can often become discouraged. Eventually, | | | | Kids martial arts classes often serve as the |
| they'll lose interest. | | | | springboard for a lifelong pursuit. The instructor |
| Level Of Comfort | | | | that you choose in the beginning can play an |
| Allowing your son or daughter to meet the | | | | important part in encouraging that pursuit. |
| teacher before enrolling them into martial arts | | | | |