Wouldn’t you agree that there is no lack of extracurricular activities for our kids these days? It seems like there’s always something new for them to do next. As a parent, all a person really wants is to see kids becoming people of character and integrity while making better decisions that bring them success and help keep them safe. In fact, here are five reasons why parents frequently choose the benefits of martial arts.
1.Respect
If you’re like me, you want your child to show respect to parents, teachers, and other authoritative figures in their lives. Students are taught the importance of respecting their instructors, their peers, and themselves. Respect is taught from the first time a new student walks into the academy. Students bow to their instructors and peers as a sign of respect. They also address each other as “yes, sir” or “yes ma’am” to further establish respectful relationships.
2. Discipline
Martial arts helps instill mental focus in your child, giving them the ability to concentrate on a task and see it through to its completion. During classes, your child will be tasked with following simple commands immediately, such as coming to attention or holding listening position while they receive instructions.
Additionally, earning a black belt in the martial arts requires a 3-4 year commitment to attending weekly classes and following a structured training system. Establishing the importance of self-discipline at an early age can better prepare children for success in similar endeavors such as earning a bachelor’s or advanced degree.
3. Confidence
The presence of bullying in schools is nothing new to this generation, but with the rise of cyberbullying, it’s no wonder that many children struggle with self-esteem issues as well as a lack of self-confidence. Fortunately, self-confidence can be developed through martial arts training! The belt ranking system in the martial arts gives children a short-term measurable goal that they can consistently challenge themselves with.
Every time a student masters a new skill set and receives a belt promotion, they experience a sense of pride and accomplishment that boosts their self-confidence. Children that train in the martial arts are often more self-assured and confident, not only in martial arts but in other areas in their lives as well.
4. Self-defense
Martial arts not only offers training in the techniques your child can use to defend themselves against a potential attacker, but it also prepares them for identifying potential threats before they happen.
5. Physical Fitness
Did you know that childhood obesity has more than tripled in the last 25 years? In an era where screen time is king, it’s important to teach the importance of physical fitness at an early age. Martial arts training is a full-body workout and can help develop strength, build muscle, improve balance and coordination, and support good cardiovascular health.
As you consider the many benefits of martial arts, you might look at trying out a trial program to get your child started right away. After all, how early do you want your kids to learn these admirable traits?
Many people believe the sooner they get their kids learning these beneficial traits, the better off their kids will be and we couldn’t agree more.
© 2019-2021 Invictus Martial Arts
All rights reserved. Used with permission. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Want more? Subscribe to get always get the latest tips & tricks you need to feel your best and make the most of every day!