How Karate Training Can Help Kids

By Leigh Metopher


As parents, we are always looking for positive learning experiences for our children. If the activity improves both mind and body, this is an especially good option. Karate training has many benefits for children, many of which will be felt throughout their lifetime. Here are just a few reasons why you might want to consider enrolling your child in karate classes.

It seems like children are spending more and more time watching television and playing video games. This lack of exercise is detrimental to our overall health, so in addition to encouraging your child to head outside and play and limiting screen time, karate classes are a great source of exercise. Not only will they be exercising, learning martial arts improves your balance, flexibility and coordination. This can improve child's athletic ability overall, which can make them successful in other sports, such as basketball or soccer.

Martial arts training is goal-oriented and kids will be working toward earning different belts. Having a goal improves our focus and fosters self-discipline. Earning each new belt also boosts your child's self-esteem, because they truly have to work hard to achieve this goal.

One key component of karate training is the idea that you must show respect for your instructor, who is called a sensei. A sensei not only teaches a child to respect their instructor during karate class but encourages a sense of respect and a good work ethic in all respects of life. Self-discipline is a necessary skill in karate as well as other aspects of life, and showing respect to others also is a highly important skill. A student also is taught to respect himself and the other children in his class or on his team. So while children are working to earn different belts as individuals, they are still learning the value of positive social interaction.

You might associate martial arts with violence, but karate and other martial arts are more about self-control and self-defense than aggression. The sensei is not teaching children to be aggressors. They are teaching skills that build confidence and self-control, as well as safe ways to defend oneself. At a good martial arts school, children are always taught ways to resolve conflicts peacefully; however, they also gain the confidence of knowing that if they have to defend themselves, the know how to do so.

If you are searching for a Carlsbad martial arts academy, an Encinitas karate school or martial arts school in San Marcos, consider opting for classes at Martial Arts International. At Team MAI, children are taught confidence, respect and discipline in a positive and fun environment. Classes are created based on the age of the children and their belt level. There are also fun summer camps and overnight events that your child might enjoy.




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