| Admit it. When the going gets tough at home, | | | | practices as well), martial arts range from a |
| we've all plopped the kids in front of the television | | | | variety of types and styles, all of which are based |
| and breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, we can get | | | | on well-rounded, moral teachings. The beauty of |
| started on dinner, maybe check email or sort that | | | | learning martial arts is that it encompasses not |
| massive pile of laundry. | | | | just the physical aspect of the "sport," but mental |
| But when your five-year old yells at you "Mom, | | | | and emotional lessons as well. |
| Kids Rule!" or your ten-year old horrifies you with | | | | Comparing that to other kid's activities and sports, |
| language that would make a sailor blush, you | | | | where fierce competitiveness and "winning at all |
| realize there must be something amiss with what | | | | costs" seems to be the order of the day, it's not |
| these family programs really teach our kids. And | | | | surprising that many children grapple with issues |
| sadly, it's happening all over the media today, | | | | of self-esteem and misplaced aggression. |
| from sports to cartoons, and our children are | | | | The Advantages |
| learning things that we, as parents, vowed we | | | | Martial arts for kids, builds confidence and |
| would never teach them. Old fashioned values like | | | | self-esteem as well as self-discipline, respect, |
| respect and self-discipline, seems to have been | | | | concentration and courtesy. |
| forgotten, replaced by the dreaded "bling bling" | | | | Many martial arts schools also offer leadership |
| pop culture of today. | | | | courses for kids, in conjunction with their karate |
| Just the thought of your angelic three-year old | | | | for kids programs, or similar lessons. |
| morphing into a designer-clad, smart-mouthed, | | | | Martial Arts is ideal for children who do not do well |
| money-worshipping, me-obsessed, lay-about is | | | | in team sports, giving them the ability to excel in |
| enough to make any parent consider that | | | | this activity, while combining physical and mental |
| threatening military school brochure, but there is a | | | | practices. |
| solution out there to consider, Martial Arts training! | | | | Many do not realize this, but it is a fact that |
| From Ninja Turtles to The Karate Kid | | | | martial arts training is safer than most school |
| You and your kids have all seen the flying kicks, | | | | sports. |
| battle cries and mighty chops of their favorite TV | | | | Children with special needs, such as ADD |
| characters, as they beat the bad guys to | | | | (Attention Deficit Disorder), learning difficulties and |
| submission but, you may ask, how on earth can | | | | hyperactivity are often recommended to |
| these acts of violence teach my child anything | | | | participate in a martial arts program because of |
| worthwhile? | | | | the clear benefits in its structured training |
| First, know that what you see on television (save | | | | techniques. |
| perhaps the Karate Kid) is a far cry from what | | | | Now imagine your child actually learning valuable |
| real martial arts are all about. The fact is, martial | | | | life lessons, skills that they will take throughout life, |
| arts training is based on non-violence. | | | | laying the foundation for a happy, well-adjusted |
| Originating in Asia (mainly Japan, China and Korea, | | | | and fulfilled adult life. If only karate for kids was |
| although Thailand and Vietnam have their own | | | | popular when we were growing up! |