| The decision to learn self defense is becoming less | | | | defense strategies and techniques. Even if you |
| and less optional for most kids today. From | | | | have to order a self defense DVD from a |
| schoolyard bullying to mass shootings, all kinds of | | | | reputable Internet source and guide them through |
| violence at school are increasing, and the only | | | | it yourself, teaching them the basics will improve |
| way to survive without psychological trauma is to | | | | their confidence and understanding of their |
| know how to handle yourself when your world | | | | capabilities. For a middle schooler, it's best to stick |
| turns violent. | | | | with blocks, evasion techniques, and one or two |
| Young kids - elementary schoolers - are best left | | | | very simple attacks like the straight punch and |
| to go to an adult when trouble brews in their lives. | | | | the front kick. |
| The extent of their self defense ability is yelling | | | | As they get older and more disciplined, you can |
| loudly, running away, and finding an adult who can | | | | assess their maturity level and decide when they |
| defend them - even if they enroll in a martial arts | | | | are ready to learn self defense techniques that |
| class or some other combat training, a child of | | | | require restraint such as throws and joint locks. |
| this age is simply not coordinated or focused | | | | Any decent self defense DVD will include moves |
| enough to meaningfully defend themselves from | | | | that counter the most common schoolyard |
| an adult. Add to that the fact that they're not | | | | attacks: haymakers, jabs, front kicks, choke |
| responsible enough to carry pepper spray, and it's | | | | holds, and hair grabs. Make sure your child is |
| best to just count on adults to protect them. | | | | familiar with methods of defense from these |
| But around middle school age, when the bullies' | | | | common attacks that don't involve inflicting any |
| personalities are starting to show, it pays for your | | | | lasting damage on the attacker, or you might end |
| child to start to learn self defense basics. The | | | | up the victim of a lawsuit! |
| temptation at this age might be to give them | | | | By the time a child is in high school, assuming |
| some mace, show them how to use it, and leave | | | | they're not a bully themselves, they are generally |
| it at that -- but that won't solve the problem. | | | | capable of intelligently applying the principles of self |
| Bullies will pick on any child that will allow it, and | | | | defense in an accurate an confident manner. |
| pepper spray is the middle school equivalent of a | | | | There is no greater satisfaction than hearing your |
| nuclear bomb: your child might use it once and be | | | | daughter describe how she stopped a fight or |
| left alone, but they will be seen as hiding behind | | | | helped a friend shoo away an overassertive |
| their weapon. That's not where you want them | | | | boyfriend. Don't wait until your child is already |
| to be. | | | | being bullied to get them to learn self defense! |
| Instead, consider asking them to learn self | | | | |