Getting your child started in martial arts is the gift that keeps on giving. Attending classes at a martial arts school can help children improve their fitness levels, increase self- confidence, remedy discipline problems, improve social relations, and teach them to defend themselves. Sounds great, doesn’t it? Now here’s the question—How do you get your child into martial arts?
Difficulty: Average
Time Required: A couple of hours per day over the course of a few days to find a school.
Here's How:
- Foster an interest in an active lifestyle: Children probably won't be interested in martial arts if they're not active. Therefore, growing an interest in martial arts starts with family lifestyle.
Get involved in outdoor activities with your children. Have them watch you when you workout. Play sports with them and talk to them about the importance of exercise and healthy eating.
This can't be overemphasized.
- Get your child interested in martial arts: Being active isn't enough to foster a specific interest in the arts. The good thing is that some children already have an interest in martial arts from having watched cartoons or films that demonstrated embellished martial arts moves. They may also be interested simply because their friends are involved in them. An interest in something positive like this is good no matter what the reason, so go with it.
If not, try bringing them to a martial arts event that you feel comfortable with. After they see what expert martial artists can do, you just might have them hooked.
- Search for a martial arts school: You can find schools via an Internet search in your state (“Martial Arts Connecticut” for example). You can also do it the old fashioned way through the phone book or by word of mouth. A good rule of thumb is to visit at least three schools in the style you and your child are interested in—if the two of you know what style that is— and about five if you are unsure.
- Visit the schools you found. While there:
- Make sure the style being taught is what was advertised. In other words, if you’re observing a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, class, the children should be grappling.
- Note how the instructor works with students. A good rule of thumb is to watch the children themselves. How do they respond to the instruction?
- Watch to see if the workout is what you thought it would be.
- Talk to parents. Ask how they feel about the school, including if there have been any positive effects at home. Does their child like going to martial arts class? How have they found the instructor?
- Talk with the lead instructor: Once you're satisfied with a school, the next step is to talk with the lead instructor. Ask them for their credentials. Where did they gain their expertise? Ask for a reference, and don’t be afraid to do an Internet search on them.
- The free class: The final step is to bring your child to that free class the school is no doubt offering. Keep in mind that the school will almost certainly try to get you to sign a contract right there if they require one. Some schools do not require a long term commitment, which may also weigh into your decision making. Regardless, the recommendation would be to go home and talk with your child about their experience in the free class before making a decision. That way you’ll hear what they really think.
Good luck in getting your child started in martial arts.
