| Have you seen how many martial arts schools | | | | teaching the class. Make sure the character |
| are in your local phonebook? How do you know if | | | | education program caters to your child's learning |
| you're choosing the right school? In this article we | | | | style. If the lessons are all auditory (i.e. reading |
| will feature advice on choosing the right martial | | | | stories in class) that may not work best for |
| arts school for your child. | | | | children who are more visual or kinesthetic |
| Everywhere you turn there's a martial arts school! | | | | (action-based) learners. If the school has no |
| It is estimated there is 20,000 martial arts school | | | | "system" for teaching character education then |
| in the U.S. alone. Chances are you have at least | | | | there are no guarantees your child will gain the |
| one school within a few miles of your home. | | | | values you desire. |
| Today's martial arts schools ranges from | | | | The Students |
| garage-based schools, to fancy mega-schools with | | | | Are there a lot of intermediate and advanced |
| multiple training floors and observation lounges. | | | | students in classes? Chances are you've found a |
| Based on national averages, martial arts schools | | | | school that knows how to enroll and keep its |
| charge about $125 per month, but schools can be | | | | students; that's a good sign! If you go to a school |
| found charging anywhere from $35.00 to more | | | | that's been in business for a year or longer and |
| than $200/month. | | | | it's still empty, something's not right with the |
| Because most parents are not experts in martial | | | | school. Most martial arts teachers think their |
| arts they will typically choose a martial arts school | | | | classes are the best classes -- the way that most |
| based on either price or convenience of the | | | | restaurateurs think that their food is the best |
| location. Unfortunately, choosing a martial arts | | | | food. If the parking lot is empty, it's a sign that |
| school is not as simple as comparing prices or the | | | | the customers have a different opinion. On a side |
| proximity from your home. It may be cliché, | | | | note, big does not always equal best. Make sure |
| but if you compare martial arts schools, you're | | | | that your child will receive the personal attention |
| comparing apples to oranges. If you plan to enroll | | | | that he or she would receive in school. The |
| your child in martial arts school with goal of building | | | | student to teacher ratio should not exceed 25 to |
| his/her self-esteem or empowering him/her with | | | | 1. |
| the ability to defend his/herself it may take a | | | | The Style |
| minimum of one year of training, but likely more. | | | | When shopping for the right martial arts school, |
| That being said, choosing the wrong school can | | | | the "style" the school teaches is not nearly as |
| lead to your child wanting to quit before the goal | | | | important as who teaches the class. A good |
| is achieved. Choosing the right school can have a | | | | instructor will inspire your child to be their best. |
| life-changing affect on your child. | | | | There is not one style that is best for kids. Each |
| Martial arts consultant, and a veteran school | | | | style will offer something different. One may |
| owner, Tom Callos, says, "You evaluate a martial | | | | focus on kicks and strikes, one may emphasize |
| arts school the same way you would evaluate | | | | throws and rolls, and another may concentrate on |
| any school you would take your child to. Just | | | | ground defense. A qualified instructor will not |
| because you're thinking of joining a school that | | | | teach your child self-offense. Each style should |
| teaches the "ancient art of self defense," doesn't | | | | and will, if taught by a good instructor, teach |
| mean you don't apply modern day scrutiny to | | | | self-defense; so there is no need to worry that |
| their professionalism, teachers, and facilities." | | | | your child will become the next playground bully. |
| Here are six tips to finding the right martial arts | | | | The Commitment |
| school: | | | | Most schools will give you and/or your child an |
| The Instructor | | | | opportunity to try martial arts before making a |
| This should be your number one focus when | | | | commitment. Martial arts schools typically will offer |
| choosing the right school. A few qualities to look | | | | a free class, a free private lesson or an |
| for in an instructor is someone that possesses | | | | introductory course. This gives you an opportunity |
| confidence, courtesy, a positive attitude, and | | | | to evaluate the instructor and program and |
| professionalism. Look for an instructor that treats | | | | determine if what they promise and what they |
| his/her students with respect, as you would like | | | | deliver are congruent. If there seems to be a |
| your child to treat you. Gone are the days of | | | | deviation from what you've been promised or the |
| respect from intimidation. The instructor will | | | | instructor doesn't seem to "live up to the hype"; |
| hopefully be wearing a black belt, which should | | | | perhaps it's time to move on. If the school |
| indicate that he/she has attained a high-level of | | | | doesn't offer a trial program and wants to sign |
| proficiency within their school. The belt does not | | | | you up on a long-term commitment that should |
| necessarily translate that he or she will be a great | | | | be a definite red flag. |
| teacher. Watch a class or better yet have your | | | | Do Your Research |
| child participate in a trial lesson to see how the | | | | Most schools will have information that you can |
| instructor interacts with the students and/or your | | | | peruse on the Internet that should tell about the |
| child. Not getting a good vibe, maybe this is not | | | | instructor, and the features and benefits of the |
| the school for you. | | | | school. The theme and content of the website |
| The Curriculum | | | | may give you a good indication of whether this is |
| Over 93% of parents polled in a national survey | | | | a school you may want to consider. Remember |
| indicated they wanted their child to be more | | | | why you want to enroll your child in martial arts |
| confident, focused, disciplined and respectful. Do | | | | and see if the website content addresses those |
| you want the same for your child? These life-skills | | | | needs. If instead the website is more focused on |
| are what most martial arts schools tell you they | | | | boasting the accomplishments of the instructor |
| teach. But how do they teach it? Ask to see how | | | | having won several championships, breaking bricks |
| the school teaches character development. In | | | | with the touch of his/her hand, or the instructor |
| some schools the process happens by osmosis. | | | | has high ranking degrees in several different |
| There is no set curriculum and it either happens | | | | martial arts, you may want to proceed with |
| or not. The top schools martial arts schools invest | | | | caution. Remember this quote, "People don't care |
| in a system for teaching personal development | | | | how much you know, until they know how much |
| that ensures all students are equipped with the | | | | you care." Be impressed by the instructor, not |
| same values, regardless of which instructor is | | | | the credentials. |