| ts instinctively know that the safety of their | | | | self-defense) is the ability to disengage from |
| children is under constant threat. More kids than | | | | situations that might lead to violent confrontation. |
| ever before are abducted and victimized by | | | | In many cases, a child can find himself embroiled |
| predators each day. Plus, playground bullies, older | | | | in circumstances that could have otherwise been |
| children, and others prey upon the young, thinking | | | | avoided. Learning the martial arts can help a child |
| them defenseless. By enrolling your child into | | | | identify and avoid those circumstances. |
| martial arts classes, you can equip them with the | | | | Styles Of Kids Martial Arts |
| skills to ward off an attack or evade it altogether. | | | | Parents have a number of martial arts styles |
| In this article, I'll describe how learning karate, | | | | from which they can choose. Some styles, like |
| judo, kung-fu, and other styles can help your child | | | | karate, are more aggressive than others. For |
| feel more confident, approach potentially | | | | example, aikido focuses on techniques that help |
| threatening situations thoughtfully, and ultimately | | | | students disable an attacker without actually |
| preserve his or her safety. While most parents | | | | fighting them. It emphasizes throwing moves |
| would prefer not to think about their children | | | | rather than striking. On the other hand, karate |
| needing to defend themselves against others, it is | | | | and kung-fu involve a number of striking tactics; |
| very real possibility. | | | | both approach self-defense from a far more |
| A Persistent Threat | | | | aggressive perspective. Judo, like aikido, stresses |
| Long ago, children were seldom victimized or | | | | the development of physical and mental control; |
| abducted; and it was practically unimaginable in | | | | the style involves very few striking moves. |
| small towns. Times have changed. In 2002, over | | | | Finding A Dojo |
| 58,000 children were kidnapped by non-family | | | | Parents who are interested in exploring martial |
| members. What's more, the number of cases | | | | arts classes for their child should visit a few |
| reported in communities with sparse populations | | | | training facilities in their area. They should speak |
| has escalated. In effect, every child, regardless of | | | | with the instructors and ask about each dojo's |
| location, is susceptible to the threat of predators. | | | | respective philosophy. They should also observe a |
| Young kids are also vulnerable to older children. | | | | few classes to become familiar with each |
| They can easily - and without reasonable | | | | instructor's training style. For example, one |
| justification - become victims of bullying or | | | | instructor might emphasize aggression while |
| physical abuse. Sometimes, the circumstances can | | | | another stresses mental and emotional |
| swing wildly out of control, leading to injury or | | | | refinement. The style you and your child choose |
| worse. Parents are understandably concerned and | | | | should be consistent with your values and goals. |
| are becoming increasingly aware that they need | | | | Protecting Their Safety |
| to take preventative measures. | | | | In the end, your child needs to develop the |
| Kids' Self-Defense Through Martial Arts | | | | necessary physical and mental discipline to help |
| Kids martial arts classes are not designed to train | | | | ensure their safety. That includes learning |
| children to fight. Instead, they focus on developing | | | | techniques of self-defense. It also involves learning |
| a number of mental and physical skills that provide | | | | how to approach potentially hostile circumstances |
| lifelong value. Kids learn to concentrate more | | | | thoughtfully with the goal of either diffusing or |
| effectively and think more clearly. They also learn | | | | avoiding them. Kids martial arts classes are |
| the value of respect and emotional restraint. The | | | | designed to train young people to develop these |
| training will also include self-defense strategies that | | | | skills. If their safety is threatened, they should |
| your child can use to ward off threats. | | | | have the training and discipline to respond in the |
| One of the most important elements in kids | | | | best possible manner. |
| martial arts classes (in the context of | | | | |