What Is the Best Martial Art for Kids and Teens?

Martial arts is a very effective addition to a healthy way of life. The mental and physical instruction essential to be successful in any martial art will give students important skills they can apply to a great many other parts of their lives. With a wide selection of martial arts schools in even the smallest cities it could be a challenging task for parents to assess them and figure out what is the best martial art for their kids. Although there's no one martial art that is best suited especially to all children there are many that are more suitable than others. A number of styles may focus more on the physical contests and preparing for them, while others may have a greater emphasis on character and self esteem building. Furthermore two schools that provide the same martial art style may teach that style differently, setting increased emphasis on different aspects of the style, for instance mastering the formal movement patterns vs a focus on the sparring aspects. In this article we hope to assist you with some information regarding the best martial art for kids.

Self-defence, fitness improvements and elevated self-confidence are just some of the positive aspects and skills which might be achieved through martial arts. As a parent you should know what you're looking for and have practical goals when considering a martial art for your kids.

While most if not all martial arts are in some ways suitable for kids, the same can't be said for all martial arts schools or instructors. That is the reason why the first step in choosing a martial art for your kids should be to determine which of the martial arts styles found in your neighborhood are most suitable for your kids, then evaluate the schools near you, the teachers in those schools and then the type of training they offer to both students and to instructors.

Begin with looking into several of the martial arts schools available in your area to determine what their basic styles are. The Internet is an excellent resource for this as you can get a fast summary of the tenets, background and styles involved in each individual martial art. Think about not only your goals for your kids, more self-confidence or developing physical strength for instance, but also the strengths of your child when selecting which martial arts may be best suited for them. Judo and mixed martial arts both have some emphasis on grappling, which is locking or pinning opponents to the ground. So these might not be the best martial arts for kids which are claustrophobic. On the other hand these kinds of styles will probably be effective in helping your kid build their physical strength and endurance.

Once you have a list of martial arts styles that could be suitable for your kids, begin contacting the schools in your neighborhood that provide those styles. Find out what distinct variety of martial arts will be taught and be sure the response matches with the research. As an example, there are two accepted branches of Taekwondo. The belts awarded to students may not be authentic or legitimate if a martial arts school is not associated with a accepted governing association. You should determine if the martial arts school has programs designed for children, or if the kids are grouped together into a general class. In some cases children can be quite intimidated if they are surrounded by teens and adults, and in those cases they may not be developing a lot by taking the course. Determine how many students and teachers are in each class, as a high student to instructor ratio will limit the period of time your kids will have with the instructor for individual training. Ask if the coaches have qualifications in first-aid or child education. The teachers should also have been taught how to teach, as not everyone is a natural teacher. Keep in mind that being a champion at a sport does not always mean that someone can instruct well; consider how many outstanding hockey and football players have had spectacularly bad coaching careers. Find out how much experience the master or senior coach has with children. Find out what the initial and continuing costs are going to be. Uniforms and protective gear are usually required quite soon after you join a martial arts school, and training and testing fees really should be available prior to signing up. Find out how long the school has been in operation, how much time it's been at its present location and whether the school gives back to its neighborhood through fundraising or group volunteer activities. These kinds of things are valuable indicators of the commitment level that the instructors and masters have to the school.

Now that you've found a martial arts school you should inspect the physical location itself. It's feasible that the school is not well stocked with equipment or that it is located in a building that does not meet your expectations. Probably you're going to want to visit the school without your kids, in the event that they may be anxious to begin training there and you determine that you aren't satisfied with the school. A number of schools will permit you to view or even participate in a free class, to help you get a better appreciation of the teaching style and use of the facilities. Introducing your kids to the martial arts school should be done only after you are satisfied with the school, the style and the level of instruction that your kids will receive.

Lastly:

When martial arts is family activity then many children will build more of a commitment and appreciation for it. Consider signing up yourself to train alongside your kids and help them appreciate the dedication to physical activity throughout their lives and outside of school.
Respect for instructors, parents and elders is an essential part of many martial arts training programs. Be sure to help your kids practice this respect even when away from their martial arts school.
The history of the martial art and/or the club itself, the grand-master or the organizations the club is part of may be required learning at the school that your kids go to. Be sure to help your kids with some research into these aspects.

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