| Your baby just came home from school all | | | | Can Parents Watch? |
| excited and begging you for the chance to take | | | | As a teacher, I understand there are annoying |
| martial arts classes for kids. Your innocent little | | | | and overprotective parents. However, any |
| baby has a new hero: B.J. Penn. All of the sudden | | | | instructor who doesn't allow me to watch makes |
| bloody images come flooding into your mind. | | | | me nervous. You need to be comfortable with |
| Broken bones, ambulance rides, choke holds, and | | | | your child's instructor and your child's safety |
| didn't you once see some guy break his neck? | | | | before you miss any classes. |
| Every ounce of your being is screaming, | | | | Benefits of Martial Arts |
| “NOOOOOOOOOOO!” But your baby is | | | | The most obvious benefit of martial arts for kids |
| looking at you with those big hopeful eyes and | | | | is friendship but martial arts classes for kids go |
| you say, "I will look into it." | | | | beyond friendship. Let's face it. We are all guilty of |
| Is it Safe? | | | | letting our children watch too much TV. Our kids |
| The first thing you need to look into is the safety | | | | need more exercise and martial arts gives them |
| of the school. The school should have small | | | | that added exercise, especially since physical |
| classes, or if larger classes, more instructors. | | | | activity is being cut out of schools. Plus, it |
| There also should me safety equipment. The | | | | provides your child with self-confidence, and |
| equipment should be in good shape and well cared | | | | everyone could use a self-confidence boost. |
| for. | | | | Basically, martial arts is great for kids. It is no |
| Martial arts is a sport, and like any sport kids | | | | more dangerous than any other contact sport. It |
| can get hurt. However, with proper precaution | | | | will boost your child's self-esteem and provide |
| injuries can be prevented or at least reduced. | | | | your child with much needed exercise. So, before |
| Protective equipment should not be optional. The | | | | you say no, look into some classes in your area. |
| instructors need to make this mandatory when | | | | You just might find a class you are comfortable |
| sparring. If the instructors allow sparring without | | | | sending your child to and be happy you did. |
| protective gear, take your child elsewhere. | | | | |