by Jules Willis

Created on: June 04, 2008

Children love martial arts! They get many benefits from taking classes, in terms of health and expend energy. In good classes, students even get some exposure to "stranger danger" techniques along with important self-defense applications. Is it important what martial art to choose? It depends upon the child. Many children gravitate toward Karate since it is one of the most popular martial arts with its hitting and kicking techniques. Other children prefer a martial art like Judo, which can be good for children who enjoy wrestling and falling. It really depends upon what your child enjoys.

To determine what art is correct for your child, a visit to a martial arts dojo or training hall is in order. Many can be found through the Yellow Pages or online and most reputable places will allow a visit and perhaps even a sample lesson to give you the opportunity to see whether or not it is a good fit for your child. If the dojo or studio isn't open to allowing you and your child to a sample lesson, steer clear of them, they aren't worth your business. Any good Sensei or teacher should be open to discuss their art and what their kids program is, as well as, cost and schedule. If they aren't move on to someone who is.

Once your child has had a taste of several martial arts you will know what they might like to do. Make sure the sampling has several different kinds of arts. Perhaps a sample from grappling arts, striking and kicking arts, and, depending upon age, weapons arts. Some children will know right away what they like and may not have to have a sample of each but for those that are unsure, it will help immensly. It is important that it is the child that wants to do the art and not the parent (unless you are taking classes together). All too often parents, who didn't have a chance to be a martial artist growing up, want to do a martial art vicariously through their children. This can cause many problems for everyone concerned. The child may get put in the position of having to achieve for the parent rather than themselves and may not enjoy taking classes because of it.

After you and your child has determined what art he or she is going to study, then it is time to find a school. If you have taken a sample class to help your child decide which martial art they are interested in, then perhaps that school will be a good fit for your child. It is really important to interview the head instructor and whoever teaches the children's classes to make sure that they are compatible not only with your child but also with you. You don't want to entrust the welfare of your child to anyone of less than stellar character. Find out what the classes consist of and whether or not your child will be expected to compete in tournaments. Some clubs don't insist on tournament participation and some do. Some children like the competition and yet for some, the stress is almost unbearable. Be sure to ask about fees for testing for promotions in rank. Many clubs make their money in the testing.

Remember, martial arts can be serious but learning should be fun for your child. If your child isn't having fun, then you are wasting time and money because they will drop out of the class just as quickly as they are able. Your child is the best barometer of whether the classes are beneficial or not. If they don't want to go or find excuses to not go, find out why. Better yet, take classes with your child! It is something that you can do together that will keep your relationship close. After all, you never are too old to learn!

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