Why do martial arts classes work? Why do teachers, counselors, and doctors recommend martial art classes for children having difficulty with Focus, Self Control, and Confidence? I have parents that have tried every sport possible and come to me as a last resort. What does martial art bring to your child that these other activities don't? You could say it's the rules, but all sports have rules, martial arts is an activity that teaches your child to have good agility, balance, coordination and physical strength, so do most all sports. The list that compares martial arts to another sport is long, but there are a few areas where there is a marked difference,
· a) Everyone gets to play.
· b) No teasing, name calling, and no one will laugh at you.
· c) You work at your own pace, your competition is yourself.
· d) Your mistakes are considered part of the learning process.
· e) Little goals turn into small successes.
Everyone gets to play:
You say all sports have this rule, especially for young children. True, but the feeling of being put into a game toward the end because your coach has to make sure and follow a particular rule has a way different feel than getting to kick and punch the bag just as many times as the kid next to me, who even your child can see is way more talented. Talent is not a facture when it comes to how much your child gets to participate in class.
THERE ARE NO BENCH WARMERS IN MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES!!
Also because of this policy your child will be given the chance to practice their martial arts in class much much more than if they are relegated to the 2nd or 3rd team in a particular sport. More practice of their kicks and punches means they continually improve and at a faster rate.
No teasing, or name calling and no one will laugh at you;
The children in our martial arts classes learn very quickly that if this happens in one of our classes 1) the class is stopped 2) we huddle-up for a mat chat 3) we talk about the negative issues around teasing, name calling and laughing at someone 4) the two children are asked to stand up, face each other, bow, and apologies made. 5) everyone is reminded that polite behaviour is part of their advancement, you can have the best kick in the school, but if you don't have good manners you will not advance. Class then picks up where we left off
Our martial arts class is a no tease, no name calling, no laughing at others ZONE - that we take very serious. Allowing this behaviour in one of our classes will completely undermine any positive gains we would accomplish, and is not tolerated.
You work at your own pace, your competition is yourself;
Young children learn quickly, retain information, accept their mistakes, and participate more freely when the idea of competition with someone else is removed. Your child does not need to be compared to another child to improve. Your child should not be penalized because their focus, self control, and confidence is not as developed as another child. Yet this is exactly what competitive sports does.
Long before your child needs to understand the concept of winning and lousing they need to develop their personal concepts - if your child is struggling with focus, self control and confidence issues putting them into traditional sports to early can be a mistake
A child needs a relaxed, fun, non-competitive environment to improve and hone skills like focus, self control, and confidence. An environment that has structure and rules, that make him responsible for improving himself, where reward is given not because he's faster, more agile, or stronger than another child, but because today he's a little better than HE / SHE was yesterday. By starting your child with this type of self-competition, he will develop the confidence and discipline that will be needed later if and when he decides to participate in sports.
Your mistakes are considered part of the process;
When a child makes a mistake you set in motion a natural process, that should be positive and educational, IF you simply refocus, make small changes, learning what not to do, continue with proper practice and the process will work itself out. When that process is followed through to its correct ending the child will walk away from the experience more confident and self assured than ever. Correcting one mistake simple makes room for the next one, its part of the learning process, not a statement of failure. Using your mistakes to move toward your goals is what a martial arts class will teach your child.
Little goals turn into small successes, small successes turn into big triumphs;
At our martial arts school the idea of Black Belt is important, most of our training is designed to prepare us for Black Belt testing and attaining that Black Belt is a hugh triumph.
This concept of "little goals create big success" process is what keeps your child coming back to class. Every time he shows improvement he's rewarded - it could be as simple as a "High 5" from his instructor, a new stripe on their belt or one of the best feelings in the world getting promoted and receiving the next color belt on his way to Black Belt.
So O.K. lets think about this;
You've enrolled your child in our martial arts class - he is now in a program where he's
1) Given just as many opportunities in class as all the other children
Remember - NO BENCH WARMERS
2) Not being teased or laughed at.
3) His only competition is himself.
4) His mistakes are considered learning tools, and
5) Every time he shows improvement he gets rewarded,
Oh Ya, and remember while this process is happening, as far as your child is concerned their just having fun kicking, punching, yelling and reaching their goals.
Martial arts classes work because they are the perfect atmosphere for the development of Self-Confidence, Self-Discipline, and Self-Control. It doesn't matter what level of maturity your child is at when he/she steps into their first class, martial arts is designed to improve the "SELF" in everyone.
For more information, or to observe one of our classes please call
Patrick Hoffmann 707-935-7118 or e-mail me or visit us at our web site http://www.sonomataekwondo.com/
