martial arts for kids

[boshi]

hi all,

my wee cousin called david and he is only 7 and he goes to martial arts school. is it OK for him to learn martial arts in this age?.



cheers

[Saz]

7 is a good age to start martial arts in my opinion. I took my 7 year old cousin last month to karate with me. She didn't like it much... thats kids for you :)

Just so long as he is only doing gentle exersizes and nothing to strenuous that is likely to hurt him, he should be fine. Just be warned, kids can be bored quickly.. he might love it this week and hate it the next :) What style is he in may I ask?

Osu

[LilBunnyRabbit]

Pretty much any age kid *can* learn martial arts, but you don't really want them mixed in with adults if you can avoid it, especially parents. I've had far too many parents try to interfere when I'm trying to teach a kid, usually because the kid isn't paying attention or similar, and it always causes trouble. Not only does it disrupt the kids learning, it also affects the parent's training and usually throws me off what I'm teaching for a moment.

Another reason is because kids are smaller, and weaker than adults. Partnering someone half your height is frustrating and unrealistic. Unfortunately though kids are attacked by adults, so occasionally they should partner with them, its just frustrating for the adult.

[waya]

I am biased because I have been training all my life. I personally believe that it rests on the child's maturity level as far as when they should begin training. I suppose though that generally between age 6-10 would be perfectly fine for starting a child in the arts.

Rob

[STASH]

Same, I started at about 6 years old and I turned out fine...waaaaah!!! I'm gonna eat your children!!! LOL, jk.

[Chazz]

I think that is a gtea age to start. It will be easier for him to get flexable and they are like a sponge. they soak up all info given to them. So i think it would be a great idea.

[Dragon_Princess]

I think it's a good age as well. Just make sure that he isn't trying to overdo it and end up hurting his self. Other than that, I wish him the best at an early age:)

[big e]

what is the maxium earliest age recommended?

[Freeform]

It would depend on the kid I'd say. I wouldn't want to teach any child under the age of 6. At least by then they've been to school.

What age do you think you should teach things like PP's and chokes?

Colin

[morphus]

As long as the teaching is of a high standard - and the teaching is not too serious! Children have to have fun also!:p

[waya]

I'd start a child as young as possible. It really depends on the maturity and mental development of that child though. Some are ready very early... and others will want to be kids longer.

[TkdWarrior]

most of GM's in MA started their practice around the age of 5.
if kids show intrest then teach him otherwise no use...
-TkdWarrior-

[wayofthedragon]

I also think 7 is a good age to start. I think that it's okay for a child to start as soon as he can stand or walk. I mean, Why not, it's not hurting anything, and it is also getting his body use to it. Although he may not understand what the crap he's doing at that age, if he continues, it would be very benificial

[Freeform]

Would you have a different syllabus for children?

[morphus]

Yes absolutely - children and adults are different and should be taught in a different way with a different a manner - in fact the syllabus should be seperated in to many different segments for adults and children, then an instructor could guide the student through according his/her capabilities with the co-operation of the student or the students parents or school even!

[Nikeolls]

My club has seperate times for younger members and I think it's great if young people want to get involved, though there should be a minimum age, if you get a little kid just dossing around no-one else will be able to concentrate and will learn nothing.

[Knight_Errant]

To play the devil's advocate a little, I think that teaching combat manouvers to children is a little sinister. Then again, I can't see an awful lot wrong with giving them some responsibility and putting them on the right road. 7 is an alright age. You wouldn't open your gun cabinet and say 'there Timothy! Daddy's gun!'. But that's not what you're doing.

[YODA]

Some info from my KIDS website at www.ceakids.co.uk

===================

Will my child be able to fight off an adult?

Probably not. You may see advertisements for martial arts programmes that claim to teach a 7 year old to fend of a fully grown adult but rest assured, these systems are only concerned with bulging classes and fat bank accounts.

Our aim is to provide a safe learning environment where our junior students can have fun, develop key life skills such as honesty, integrity, work ethic & personal responsibility whilst at the same time developing the ability to defend themselves against the playground bully and other threats of modern society. We believe that it is irresponsible to give the false impression that a child at this age can "fight" a grown adult. We are more concerned with protecting them against the real threats of drugs, crime & associated gang mentalities, whilst giving them the awareness & common sense to escape and evade a possible abduction scenario rather than trying to "fight".

What are the benefits of Martial Arts for Kids?

Concentration
In order to learn martial arts you must concentrate. Learning complex skills like martial arts is a healthy way to improve levels of concentration and increase the attention span that can be so short in many young people.

Self-Confidence
You develop muscles by pushing your body's limits. By going beyond what you are capable of, your body adjusts and you become bigger and stronger. Building confidence is the same. Martial Arts teaches children to go beyond what they think they are capable of and challenges them both physically and mentally. This confidence is beneficial to every aspect of their lives; school, sports, and eventually in the workplace. Martial Arts is the perfect tool to teach confidence! Rewards for hard work and positive re-enforcement is used to build sefl respect and motivate the student to grow on many levels. With the self confidence gained comes a level of self protection ability ranging from physical fighting skills to having the strength of character to say NO to the many vices that tempt our children and lure many along the wrong path in life.

Self-Discipline
In pursuing skill in the martial arts children learn to put off immediate gratification and sacrifice time and energy in pursuit of a worthy goal. They learn about patience and respect as well as the qualities of a person who has self-discipline. You'll find that children who are involved in martial arts are less likely to have tantrums, are more patient when faced with obstacles and are more in control of their emotions. Drills and games give children an appropriate place for extra energy and aggression to be expended in a safe & controlled environment.

Physical Benefits
Martial Arts training builds strong, flexible healthy young people. Too many children these days spend their time sat in front of a computer or games console rather than engaging in some form of physical activity.

Funfunfun!

Play As The Way
Nature has evolved a very efficient method of preparing its youngsters for adult life. PLAY! At CEA we believe that play should be the basis for learning. Our kids programme is designed to use an environment based on "Play As The Way" which encourages our kids to train in an environment filled with fun, discovery and laughter! Too many martial arts schools try to turn out little clones that march up & down responding in unison to regimental commands barked out in a language they don't understand or relate to. There just has to be a better way - Play is that way! Play is healthy, play is natural, play is effective - and play works! What play does not do is turn out insecure teenage Ninjas wearing combat gear who decide to go back to school to "Show 'em all"

[Knight_Errant]

yeah!!

[craigwarren]

My old TaeKwon Do club had seperate classes for kids than adults and the kids classes where bigger and as the kids started reaching the early teans, you could see they where progressing faster than adults at the same level because they had been working at it for so many years.

There was one girl of 4 called hailae (not sure if thats spelled correct) she was the daughter of a red belt. Anyway she will be doing her 8th Kup grading in 2 weeks i think and is likly to pass. Kids at younger ages are perfectly capable of advancing grades learning nearly everything the adults do, up to a point. I think hailae may be doing so well because her father can talk to her about what she should be doing and give her extra lessons. But there are 4 kids under the age 0f 13 with black belts and all of them earned them doing all the techniques aside from breaking.

Kids can do anything nowadays.

[WhiteWizard]

Originally posted by YODA


Physical Benefits
Martial Arts training builds strong, flexible healthy young people. Too many children these days spend their time sat in front of a computer or games console rather than engaging in some form of physical activity.


yeah so do some adults although they tend to surf the net and talk on forums a lot :D.

back to the main point i don't think anyone should discourage a kid from doing a Martial art if they want to however i do disagree with people who force there kids to take it up because it just won't work. personally i think i would have liked to have started earlier now that i have started but if someone had just said off you go your going to Martial arts whether you like it or not i'm not sure i would have been so posotive at the time.

Another point when you are younger it is easier to train your mind to accept new things coming from the psychological sense hence why many people who start at a young age can progress faster than people that have started later in life

[JediMasterChris]

I started my MA when I was 7! It is a good thing to encourage children to take interest in.

[YODA]

yeah so do some adults although they tend to surf the net and talk on forums a lot

HEY!!!!!! I resemble that remark!!! :woo:

[Knight_Errant]

I once met a five-year old who was taught how to chop firewood with an axe at 3, he still has my penknife... I think this made him more responsible, not less. We had fun cutting radials for the roof!

[KungFuGrrrl]

Pretty much any age kid *can* learn martial arts, but you don't really want them mixed in with adults if you can avoid it, especially parents. I've had far too many parents try to interfere when I'm trying to teach a kid, usually because the kid isn't paying attention or similar, and it always causes trouble. Not only does it disrupt the kids learning, it also affects the parent's training and usually throws me off what I'm teaching for a moment.

Another reason is because kids are smaller, and weaker than adults. Partnering someone half your height is frustrating and unrealistic. Unfortunately though kids are attacked by adults, so occasionally they should partner with them, its just frustrating for the adult.

I find this interesting. In my school we have separate classes for the children. The parents are not allowed to sit through the class. However, parents are allowed to come in toward the end of the class.
When the child reaches a certain height, weight and skill, maybe his age is 12(we have only one 12 yr old in the adult class at the moment) but his skill high and his size is large his is put in with the adult class.