January is often a big month for motivation. Motivation is a big part of martial arts. Our kids must stay motivated in order to succeed. They must set goals and come up with a plan to achieve them. Sometimes, especially at a young age, it can be difficult to stay motivated. This is when parents need to step in and help our kids stay on track.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
- Ask your kids about their goals. Write them down, and then together come up with a plan to meet those goals. Be sure to set a deadline when the goal needs to be accomplished. Keep a log of progress made along the way.
- Get your kids on a regular schedule. It is a lot easier to stick to a goal and stay motivated when a set schedule is in place. If your child wants to go up a belt rank, have them work extra practice time into their usual day. That practice will become part of their daily routine.
- Find out what motivates your child. Are they motivated by something on the inside or is it an outside motivation that keeps them going? Knowing their motivation makes it easier to keep them on track.
- Talk to your child about how important it is to stay motivated. Ask them questions to make sure they fully understand the concept.