- As a martial arts school
owner I see first hand the wonderful changes that the study
of Ryukyu Kempo Karate brings to our youngest students; as a
matter of fact, I consider it one of my greatest blessings.
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- I meet the parents of
prospective students literally every day (we are located in
a high-traffic mall location) and the only real troubling
question I get every so often is, "Will the martial arts
make my child aggressive or dangerous?”
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- I’d like to respond with a
simple and resounding “NO” but that might be an untruth.
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- You see, it is possible to
train a child to be overly aggressive; I see it all the
time, especially in the schools which value competition and
winning tournaments above all else. You’ve seen these
facilities; they amass trophies in the window and adorn
their studios with pictures of children engaged in combative
sports where overcoming your opponent is of the utmost
importance. Ultimately, to lose is to fail here and the
negative consequences of misplaced values and poor martial
arts teaching appear very quickly.
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- Do you honestly believe that
this is the right atmosphere for your child? Hopefully not.
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- Instead, quality martial
arts instruction focuses on the values which are most
desirable in our children: respect, self control,
discipline, fitness and self confidence. Concerned
instructors teach children in a manner that helps reinforce
the efforts of parents and school teachers and will often
involve them in the process of martial arts instruction.
The product of this careful approach is a child who is more
likely to stay out of trouble is focused on striving to
reach his or her peak personal potential.
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- The most effective programs
available today offer an innovative, age-specific children's
curriculum rather than lumping them in with the “adult
class.” Experience has proven that by further breaking down
kid’s classes into three individual age categories, trained
instructors can more effectively address each age group’s
very specific learning and developmental needs thus ensuring
the absolute finest instruction available for your child.
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- This is the type of Karate
class where your child will acquire the skills and character
needed to become men and women of the highest caliber and
integrity.
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- When searching for a quality
school of martial arts, ask the head instructor the
following questions:
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- “Do you offer age
specific classes?”
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- “What ages are included
in each class?”
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- “Do you have an
established program developed specifically to teach children
of differing age groups?”
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- “Can I watch a children’s
class before signing up?”
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- “Do you train for
tournaments during regularly scheduled classes?”
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- “Will my child be
required to compete in tournaments or demonstrations for
rank promotion?”
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- “Will I have to sign a
contract? Why?” (Your child should be there because you
approve of the instruction being offered not because you are
financially obligated to be there.)
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- Then listen to your own
intuition and remember that a martial arts studio is a place
where a child should find peace, work hard and smile!
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- Success Through Martial Arts!
- -Scott Harrell
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