Studying martial arts is a great way to provide kids with the physical activity and social opportunities they need to be healthy. For a lot of parents, the biggest question to answer about martial arts classes for kids is this:
When should my child start martial arts training?
It’s an important question to ask. If you’re wondering whether this is the right time to enroll your child in a martial arts program, here’s the information you need to answer it.
Can Young Children Take a Martial Arts Class?
Let’s start with the basics. If you have a young child, you might wonder if it’s a good idea to sign them up for martial arts classes at an early age. The short answer is that it may be a good idea.
Developmentally speaking, kids have different needs at different ages. Children who are too young to pay attention in class may need to wait until they’re older to participate in a martial arts program.
That said, children as young as three years old can take beginner martial arts classes. The training they receive at such a young age will be tailored to their needs. Studying martial arts can be a good way for young children to refine their motor skills and get more control of their bodies.
A qualified martial arts instructor who specializes in working with young students will know how to break down simple lessons that meet kids where they are developmentally. Parents want activities that provide their kids with an opportunity to build confidence and improve their coordination. For kids, martial arts classes can be the ideal place to learn about their physical and mental capabilities.
How Do Instructors Work with Kids in Class?
Our instructors are martial artists with years of experience working with children at every age from preschool and early elementary school through high school and into adulthood. It’s our goal to teach our students at an age-appropriate level that allows them to develop martial arts skills at a pace that works for them.
Elementary school age children often have difficulty with motor skills and physical control. At an early age, martial arts training focuses on simple movements that help children learn to be confident in what their bodies can do. The discipline and skills that children learn in martial arts classes are things that they will carry with them as adults. Life is full of challenges and the instruction that kids receive in our classes is designed to help them navigate physical, mental, and emotional challenges.
What Are the Benefits of Martial Art Training for Kids?
When you enroll your child in a martial arts program, there are benefits that many of our parents see from the first time their child starts martial arts training. These include:
- Improved focus
- Increased attention span
- Increased confidence
- Better coordination
Kids who learn martial arts believe in themselves because they understand what their bodies and minds can do when they work together.
What’s the Best Age to Start Martial Arts Training?
Every child is different, but we believe that the best age to start a martial arts class is when your child is potty trained and needs an activity to help them build confidence, discipline, and coordination. From the age of three, kids can begin to learn simple moves and terminology.
Each kid in our classes learns at their own pace. That’s because classes are social events that measure individual progress. As your child gets older, they’ll begin belt training and testing their skills. This type of training and regular evaluation of skill helps kids to understand the value of incremental progress and long-term goals.
If your child is older, you should know that there’s no wrong time to start a martial arts class. We work with beginners of all ages from toddlers to adults. Our instructors will work with your child and help them progress with their training at a level that’s appropriate for their skills and development.
To learn more about how our age-specific training programs work – follow the link below to select the appropriate age-group for your child:
