| Jackie Chan, Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris and Stephen | | | | There are a few important tips that I encourage |
| Segal all do it. The “Teenage Mutant Ninja | | | | all parents to watch for. Check to ensure that a |
| Turtles” did it, too. And don’t forget that | | | | black belt instructor, or at least a very high |
| you can see it every weekday on the “Power | | | | ranking brown belt, is teaching the very young. |
| Ranger” episodes as well. Demonstrations of | | | | Ensure that the instructor is not promoting |
| martial arts in movies and on television add an | | | | fighting for ages 4 to 6. This is not an |
| element of excitement and action. This action is | | | | appropriate skill for this age group to be learning. |
| often imitated by young children on playgrounds, | | | | The concept of “sparring” or fighting is |
| schoolyards or at home with siblings. If a child | | | | reserved only for older students who understand |
| shows an interest in “the moves,” should | | | | the philosophy of sparring. |
| a parent consider enrolling them in a martial arts | | | | Parents need to trust their intuition. For very |
| program? What benefits would martial arts | | | | young students, the instructor should be |
| training provide? Is it worth it? | | | | incorporating lots of games and activities into their |
| “Martial arts, especially those styles that | | | | workouts. If it feels that the instructor is not |
| originated in Japan and Okinawa, are based on the | | | | having fun and enjoying his young students, then |
| premise of respect and ‘do no | | | | this is not an appropriate environment for kids |
| harm,’” says Joyce Roberson, a martial | | | | and parents need to keep looking.” |
| arts expert and author of the “Karate for | | | | In addition to building confidence and |
| Kids” column. “Contrary to the visual | | | | self-esteem, classes in martial arts offers other |
| perception of karate being a violent sport, the | | | | benefits as well. According to Roberson, children |
| premiere dictate of this sport is nonviolence | | | | with learning difficulty, such as ADHD, |
| above all else.” | | | | hyperactivity or behavior problems, can benefit |
| Martial arts in the movies may not offer a true | | | | from the structure learning program that martial |
| indication of what the “sport” teaches | | | | arts training offers. Parents of ADHD children tend |
| children and adults as well. Allowing your child to | | | | to agree. “Our son, David, participated in tae |
| receive martial arts training is not opening up a | | | | kwon do from ages 9 to 11,” says Karen |
| door to violence, it is opening a door to building a | | | | Jenista, a housewife from Colorado Springs, Colo. |
| solid foundation of self-esteem and confidence. | | | | “His psychologist recommended a form of |
| “Students learn that respect for others, as a | | | | martial arts to instill self-discipline and self-esteem |
| priority, naturally leads to a respect for self,” | | | | in David, issues that were present due to his |
| says Roberson. “This wonderful philosophy is | | | | ADHD. David progressed to the green-belt level. |
| often at odds to what our young people learn | | | | Participating in tae kwon do did give David |
| here in the United States. We have become | | | | confidence – in himself and his abilities. I |
| obsessed with the ‘me first’ mentality | | | | think it really helped him to have visible proof of |
| which often leads to emotionally unhealthy young | | | | his ability -- the different colored belts and the |
| people.” | | | | awards of his achievements.” |
| There are various forms, types and styles of | | | | There is a shared concern from some parents |
| martial arts instruction available. In choosing a | | | | about the dangers and negative effects of martial |
| program for children, a parent may need to | | | | arts training for young children. The fear of injury, |
| research the varying styles and decide which is | | | | using the techniques during play or the possibility |
| best suited for their child’s interests, level of | | | | of their child causing injury to others has |
| development and motivation. “My expertise is | | | | prevented some parents from enrolling their child |
| in Shotokan karate,” says Roberson. “I | | | | in a martial arts program. “My son has shown |
| currently help train the 4- to 6-year-old beginning | | | | an interest for some time but I haven’t given |
| students and have discovered that this particular | | | | in,” says Karyn Lickey, a nurse’s assistant |
| style of karate is very well suited to the very | | | | from Richmond, Va. “I have a fear of him |
| young. Developmentally these kids have not | | | | beginning to believe he is invincible and kicking or |
| learned the ne-motor skills that come with age. | | | | hitting another child. He pretends with karate |
| Shotokan, with its wide sweeping blocks and | | | | moves now, what will happen if he taught how to |
| kicks, provides nicely for these age-appropriate | | | | do the real moves?” According to Roberson, |
| deficits. The very young can quickly and easily | | | | if a child is given proper instruction followed by |
| master the basic moves of this sport, which in | | | | reinforcement by parents, the risk of being |
| turn increases their motivation to continue.” | | | | injured or causing injury to another person does |
| “Our son is 8 years old. He started karate at | | | | not outweigh the benefits. A parent can learn |
| age 7and now has his green belt,” says Anne | | | | what their child learns by watching the classes or |
| Trudelle, an occupational nurse from Port Perry, | | | | perhaps, taking a class themselves. |
| Ontario, Canada. “The reason we put our son | | | | “If any parent is looking for very cheap |
| in karate was threefold: to increase his | | | | entertainment for themselves, then karate is |
| self-confidence and thereby his focus on | | | | it!” says Roberson. “To see 15 to 20 4-, |
| scholastic skills, increase his social awareness in | | | | 5- and 6-year-olds lined up in their white uniforms, |
| that if ever confronted, he was in receipt of the | | | | going through movements in unison and putting |
| knowledge of how to protect himself and others | | | | their heart into these efforts, can make a |
| from danger. He also showed interest in traditional | | | | remarkable memory for any parent.” |
| karate. Notice there is no mention of | | | | Sports participation, regardless of the sport, is |
| competitions; there are none in Shotokan. This | | | | one way children can learn valuable lessons with |
| appealed to me.” | | | | life-long benefits. Karate, as a sport, teaches |
| Parents can visit various martial arts facilities | | | | self-discipline, builds self-esteem and a level of |
| where they can view the techniques, class sizes | | | | commitment, which may otherwise not be there. |
| and levels of participation to aid in determining | | | | Maybe those turtles are on to something. |
| which style and program best suits their child. | | | | “Karate, more than any other sport, is a |
| Instructors are often open to answering any | | | | life-long process,” says Roberson. “When |
| questions and addressing concerns that may be | | | | kids click with this sport, it will follow them into |
| brought by parents. “Parents need to locate a | | | | adulthood. |
| studio in their area and go, sit and just | | | | It can become a way of life, as these kids |
| watch,” says Roberson. “I would | | | | continually challenge themselves. |
| recommend going at least twice and watching. | | | | |