martial arts for my son??

J

jenn

0
i have a five yr old boy that I was thinking about putting into some kind of martial arts class. I don't know if he is to young thou? I'm hoping it will improve his health and his attitude. but I don't know. he is a little chubby not too bad thou just a little, I don't want him to be one of those overweight grade schoolers. but he needs something to learn self control- instead of me blabbing all the time. he has boundless energy and I'd like to harness it into something good. so any input from you fellas would be great and which art would be best for a hyper little guy? oh and he has a 3 yr old bro so I do not want him beating him to a pulp. or getting any cheekier with me. thanks in advance guys.
 
Last edited:
Jenn,

Here's my opinion.

People put their young children in martial arts all the time, I don't necessarily agree with it. If you want to put the child into a martial arts class because hes gaining a little weight, then it's not really going to help him. He's not old enough to get the rigorous workouts that older martial artists get.

As far as self control, most young kids in my martial arts class exhibit no self control whatsoever. There are a few youngsters who succeeds in martial arts, I hope if you decided to do this, that your's is one of them.

As for styles, that really depends on what is around you locally. Watch a few classes.

Actually, at , I'll have an article about beginning martial arts and some signs to watch for when looking for schools to pick out crooked ones, check it out after the 1st of november.
 
thanks for the info. i just know that i seems to be something he would be interested in that i can't help him train in. he trys to do tae bo with me and lift weights (i don't let him touch the weights) and he really enjoys it so i figure he needs something to enjoy focus on and hopefully improve his flexability! so maybe this would be good.
 
ps- i don't want to set him up for failure if it is something that he won't benifit from bc he is too young to get it. opinion?
 
It can be very beneficial with him if he stays with it and picks it up. If hes one of the gifted children who learn the art easily, he can be really good.

5 year olds are not too young to get it, most of them just don't want to. Monitor his progress, make sure he's interested. Just don't be afraid to say "OK you don't have to do it anymore" if he comes to you and says he doesn't like it.

As far as helping him train in it, if you actually watch his classes, you will be able to help him. My wife doesn't train , but she attends some of the classes with me and she helps me when I practice. She has picked up enough to tell me a few things like "your not brining your hikite (withdrawing hand) back far enough, or my back leg is locking out in my front stance, or my back knee is drifting forward in my back stance. She can even point out errors in some of my kata. If you pay attention to the teacher, you can learn what these techniques and stances are supposed to look like and help him do them correctly.
 
great info thank you very much. i think i'll start checking out some places and get him into it. you've been a big help aevans410, appreciate it much.
 
i don't know alot about the different types so i'm kinda lost there. his little legs can't kick that high but he trys. i do want something that i going to make him kicking and punching everything and one in sight. so something more self focused that will help to keep his self esteem good. its just the 3 of us so i'm afraid there is not really a good postive male influence in his life to help cultivate that part of his ego. so i don't want to get him into a form that will be demening if he is not so good at it. he loves to try "his moves" all the time and loves to show me what he can do so i figure with a little guidence he could be very good at it.but i just don't know which form would best suit him.
 
The best advice I can give you, as a martial arts instructor, is to shop around. Most schools will give you a trial class so he can decide for himself what he likes. Look for a school with a program specific for children.

In my Taekwondo school we have a program called "Little Dragons" just for kids your sons age. It includes a lot of general fitness aspects (running, jumping, dodgeball, etc.) as well as an introduction to the martial art. The kids just love it and the parents are all smiles when they watch.
 
It's not so much as the style as the instruction and the stdent. If you have goals for your kid, then you, as was said before, should shop around for the best instruction to fit these needs. This can be said for any other activity for your kid whether it is martial arts or horticulture for kids.

You said you want him to gain focus and control, but these things don't just come with the territory-- your boy has to want it. Honestly, he can learn these things just playing a musical instrument, or playing with his legos.

If you're going to learn martial arts for the right reasons and you actively pursue an education with the assistance of a good instructor, then you're in the right boat, but if you're just going to throw yourself into the mix with hopes to get something specific done, then you can probably just forget about it right now.

When I was about 6 or 7, I was in a martial arts class, probably enrolled for the same reasons you are planning on enrolling your kid. To put it bluntly, I hated it. I basically learned nothing from doing it, and with good reason-- but when I grew older, I became interested again with specific goals for myself. It's been years since then and I've come away with a lot more then I could ever dream of.

But don't think I am trying to get you to stay away from martial arts entirely. I think it will be a great thing for your child to get active and use "his moves" in a structured manner. But you're going to need a teacher that understands why he is there-- as opposed to one who doesn't, who teaches your kid to use the moves he learns irresponsibly.

If you've got anymore questions or comments please ask them.
 
I have seen a lot of schools teach kids and in general the teacher will never turn away a dollar unless someone might convince others to quit in which case the person is a liability.

So there will be whole classfulls of super young children throwing techniques that look nothing like what they are supposed to. These moves go uncorrected for years until the teacher decides that they are old enough to actually learn them. My advice is to teach the child basic exercises like push ups and sit ups and squats. Call it quality family time. Also you can take your son running at the local school feild which requires no technique. When the child has the learning skills and the language skills to throw techniques that look halfway descent then you can considder martial arts. Otherwise, it is just unlikely that he will learn anything for the next couple years.
 
Oh yeah, and fat on a kid is pretty healthy-- it will help them grow and develop well so don't sweat a little belly...if anything he should learn, like Ninjaface said, pushups, squats, and sit-ups, which are all body weight exercises. Some gymnastics wouldn't hurt him; it would give him strength, agility, flexibility for the future.
 
You know, you might google to see if there are any Safe Kids organizations near you. They concentrate on children/adolescents ages 5-15 years of age. Their cirriculum focuses on safety awareness (think fire, being aware, downed electrical lines, knowing how to call 911, etc) and self-defense against school bullies and adult abductors. I have worked for the organization for going on three years now and the kids love it because it is set in a fun atmosphere without the absence of actual technique and skill work.

The biggest problem I see are with the parents-they do not get involved enough or they push their kids too hard/fast. I hope you find a good instructor/school. Good luck.
 
evolution said:
The biggest problem I see are with the parents-they do not get involved enough or they push their kids too hard/fast. I hope you find a good instructor/school. Good luck.
Click to expand...

This is a BIG problem. Parents don't understand that martial arts isn't something you can teach someone in 6 weeks and expect them to preform like playing football or soccer. It takes a lifetime to master, and most masters won't admit to being a master. Not getting involved can lead to the kids doing half-assed techniques (I see a LOT of that at my school, but as long as the parents pay, my instructor have to try to teach), then failed testings, leading to kids who are down in the dumps and wanting to quit. Pushing too hard makes it like a chore and the kids just go through the motions, leading them to get hurt if they actually get into a real confrontation. Finding the right balance is critical.
 
being a paramedic student i do all the safe kids stuff with my boys and i do activities at my sons school we involve fire etc and create presentations based on the age groups invovled. ie bullies, play safe, animal awareness, adult predators and so on. it is fun and it keeps the kids safe. the martial arts thing is because i think damian would really enjoy it and get more out of it than gymnastics or something similar. he is not fat but he is solid and his weight is good for his age. i think he is getting a bit of a belly but i want him to be able to focus on something that is just for us(damian and me) that he will love and be able to grow with. i think this is the right direction. it is not about fighting, he is the biggest kid at school so i always talk about not being a bully and the effects of being a victimetc. he gets it so its not about fighting. i just don't to get him into a form that is all about beating people up. strong mind strong body. if he doesn't like it he won't continue but the plan i life long training. my cousin is in a class and he started out late but what he gets from it is amazing. it has helped him on many different levels. so i don't know. are those the wrong reasons to get him involved??
 
Jenn,

Here's what martial arts is can to do for Damian :

1. Increase his confidence
2. Teach him self discipline
3. Teach him how to defend himself.
4. Teach him self control.

And here's the really weird one.

5. Teach him NOT to fight.

All this is dependant on 3 things though.

--Parental involvement, its pretty apparent on how determined you are in being involved in your son's potential martial education, I commend you for that.
--Quality instruction. Some instructors are good at teaching young kids.
--Personal desire. If he wants to do it (it sounds like he does) then he will succeed.
 
thanks aevans410. i'll post how it goes. i think this something we'll both enjoy! great info from everyone. you guys are great keep it up! :)
 
Those reasons sounds like the general, rehearsed reasons. If things go right, martial arts will teach him how to live a good life.
 
I think the most valuable things gained from martial arts only come from training for an expansive time, if not a lifetime. These things are to be fearless and aware, yet gentle and to move with grace.

These things are not advertised on the front window like some of the other more obvious benefits, but can have an equally if not more profound impact on ones daily living.

A true martial artist can spot another on the street, by the way they walk, the way they carry themselves, and presence when they are near.

Not sure what my point is here, but yea, martial arts are good.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top