5 Reasons Your Child Should Take Martial Arts Lessons

There are many reasons parents choose to enroll their child in martial arts lessons. Some children are truly interested in taking martial arts lessons and ask their parents if they can. But a child who has an interest in martial arts isn’t the only type of child who can benefit from them. For example, children who are not very active or who are hyperactive may benefit. A child who lacks self-esteem and confidence may find a sense of purpose in these type of lessons. In addition, children who have trouble focusing could learn how to focus more effectively by taking martial arts lessons. Here are five benefits of martial arts lessons. 

1. They Will Gain Self-Confidence and Self-Respect

Martial arts can help your child develop his self-confidence. According to Elite MMA, which is a martial arts school that teaches jiu jitsu in Houston and surrounding areas such as Baytown, Greenway, and Kingwood, “Youth Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) is dynamic — it’s a martial art that leverages mental acuity along with the power of self-defense and self-confidence. In addition, your child will gain self-respect, as well as respect for others through his interactions with instructors and other students. 

2. They Will Become More Active

In this age of mobile devices, personal computers and gaming consoles, children have a tendency to live a more sedentary lifestyle unless they are pushed to be active. If you have a kid who plays sports, that’s great. However, your child may not be an athlete. Although some schools make it a point to have P.E. classes every day — or at least several times per week — others don’t work that much active time into their schedule. Martial arts can fill that void. By signing your child up for lessons he can have the opportunity for physical activity several times per week. 

3. They’ll Learn How to Focus

Part of the teaching model of martial arts is that children must listen to instruction and focus on the movements they are instructed to make. If they don’t listen to the instructions the first time, they won’t know how to execute the move. Punches and kicks must be practiced over and over to perfect them, which takes focus. If your child happens to have Attention Deficit Disorder or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, martial arts can help them learn to tune in, listen and focus. Or even if your child hasn’t been diagnosed with ADD or ADHD, but you feel he could benefit from more focus, martial arts training can help. 

4. They’ll Learn How to Resolve Conflict Without Fighting

Conflict resolution is sometimes taught overtly in martial arts through the use of group activities and interactions, whereas other times, the skill is developed as a result of the principles that are instilled in students while they are engaged in the practice of martial arts. When students learn self-control, respect of self and others and self-discipline, their first instinct will be to resolve conflict with words, not physical actions. 

5. Children Can Learn to Be Less Aggressive

Some people mistakenly believe that children who participate in martial arts programs learn how to become violent and aggressive, when actually it’s just the opposite that’s true. Again, the principles of control, respect and discipline all teach a child that aggression is not the answer. So, if you have a child with mild aggression issues, martial arts could be a way to tame them. Of course, you’ll need to reveal this issue to the martial arts instructor and find out the best way to proceed. 

What to Look for in a Martial Arts Program

When looking for a martial arts program, take the time to meet with the different instructors or coaches who run martial arts schools near you to determine which one is the right fit for your child. A good program will conduct an individual evaluation on your child before ever enrolling him. If the instructor seems more interested in getting your money than the needs of your child, then it’s probably not a good fit. You will want an instructor who is truly interested in your child’s issues — if any — and who will work with your child to achieve certain goals. 

You can also talk to other parents who are enrolled in the martial arts program you are interested in. Find out what they like and dislike. You can also look at online reviews. But perhaps the best thing to do is to set up an in-person meeting where you can speak with the instructor or coach face-to-face.