martial arts for my son??

[jenn]

being a paramedic student i do all the safe kids stuff with my boys and i do activities at my sons school we involve fire etc and create presentations based on the age groups invovled. ie bullies, play safe, animal awareness, adult predators and so on. it is fun and it keeps the kids safe. the martial arts thing is because i think damian would really enjoy it and get more out of it than gymnastics or something similar. he is not fat but he is solid and his weight is good for his age. i think he is getting a bit of a belly but i want him to be able to focus on something that is just for us(damian and me) that he will love and be able to grow with. i think this is the right direction. it is not about fighting, he is the biggest kid at school so i always talk about not being a bully and the effects of being a victimetc. he gets it so its not about fighting. i just don't to get him into a form that is all about beating people up. strong mind strong body. if he doesn't like it he won't continue but the plan i life long training. my cousin is in a class and he started out late but what he gets from it is amazing. it has helped him on many different levels. so i don't know. are those the wrong reasons to get him involved??

[aevans410]

Jenn,

Here's what martial arts is can to do for Damian :

1. Increase his confidence
2. Teach him self discipline
3. Teach him how to defend himself.
4. Teach him self control.

And here's the really weird one.

5. Teach him NOT to fight.

All this is dependant on 3 things though.

--Parental involvement, its pretty apparent on how determined you are in being involved in your son's potential martial education, I commend you for that.
--Quality instruction. Some instructors are good at teaching young kids.
--Personal desire. If he wants to do it (it sounds like he does) then he will succeed.

[jenn]

thanks aevans410. i'll post how it goes. i think this something we'll both enjoy! great info from everyone. you guys are great keep it up!

[LeiYunFat]

Those reasons sounds like the general, rehearsed reasons. If things go right, martial arts will teach him how to live a good life.

[Crazylegs]

I think the most valuable things gained from martial arts only come from training for an expansive time, if not a lifetime. These things are to be fearless and aware, yet gentle and to move with grace.

These things are not advertised on the front window like some of the other more obvious benefits, but can have an equally if not more profound impact on ones daily living.

A true martial artist can spot another on the street, by the way they walk, the way they carry themselves, and presence when they are near.

Not sure what my point is here, but yea, martial arts are good.

[jenn]

thanks for the insight crazylegs. i'm shopping around so we will see what i can find around here. i hope that my son will continue with it for his life time it is an amazing art that i hope will also help to boost his confidence inside himself. he can do anything and i support his dreams the way i wish i had been supported to follow my dreams. (which i did anyway hence becoming a paramedic)

[Nobody]

Alright, since I am somewhat in a hurry, and didn't get to read all of the posts, here's my advice.

Forget Martial arts, like someone stated, it doesn't really work for kids. I would suggest putting them in some team sports, such as soccer, or basketball, ect. It developes social skills, something that kids can ACTUALLY develope, and gets their bodies moving as well.

Kids cannot fully focus and be stern on something as demanding as martial arts. Sports are fun, becase they get to not only run around like idiots, but they get MORE exercise, and have LOTS more fun.

Just a thought.

[evolution]

Originally Posted by Nobody

Alright, since I am somewhat in a hurry, and didn't get to read all of the posts, here's my advice.

Forget Martial arts, like someone stated, it doesn't really work for kids. I would suggest putting them in some team sports, such as soccer, or basketball, ect. It developes social skills, something that kids can ACTUALLY develope, and gets their bodies moving as well.

Kids cannot fully focus and be stern on something as demanding as martial arts. Sports are fun, becase they get to not only run around like idiots, but they get MORE exercise, and have LOTS more fun.

Just a thought.

I'm not sure where you're coming from on this one. 99% of martial arts schools are not "demanding" of the kids because parents won't put up with it. I will say that kids could use a lot more discipling than they get but martial arts instructors know that parents will just take their kids down the road to an instructor that will be nice and soft. In fact, sports coaches are a lot harder on adolescents than almost any of your martial arts instructors will be. I've seen more football/soccer/baseball coaches yell at their kids than any martial arts instructor...teh days of MA instructors whacking kids for mistakes is long gone.

Since kids are in classes together and have to work on different skills, they have to interract, so there's your socialization. Also, kids learn to kick, punch, roll, fall and so they learn coordination. If you're not working up a sweat in an MA school then you're at the wrong one.

Most of your martial arts are sports now a days. In fact, nearly most of your karate, Judo, Tae Kwon Do, etc schools are centered around competitions (like football, soccer, t-ball) and not so much the self defense aspect. But the kids who do MA learn a lot more self-confidence than your typical kid in football or other sports as such.

I'm still with finding out what the kid wants to do. I'm a firm believer that kids should be allowed to play any and all sports that they want until they find something they really like. I'm sure he'll want to do more than one sport and that's all the better--it will just make your kiddo an all around better athlete.

[jenn]

great post evolution my son is really interested in martial arts and i will be there to help him practice and encourage him every step of the way. my father has said that he will help with costs, travel and going with when i cannot(work-12 hour shifts!) so the hunt is on for the right class for him. i still don't know too much about the different forms but i will learn. thanks.

[LeiYunFat]

I'd be looking for instructors, forget styles right now. It will save you a lot of headache.

[jenn]

thanks for the tip.. what should i be asking them ?? or looking for??

[evolution]

Well, the first is what fits into your budget, time, and drive time.

Some questions-
How much are testing fees and what is the testing time frame between levels?

Do you have any black belts that are under 18, if so, what's your youngest black belt?

How long have you been teaching and how long have you been practicing martial arts?

Is your self defense practical for street applications, do you seperate your self defense techniques from sparring techniques, and do the students know the difference between sparring applications and self defense applications?

How much time is spent on kata? How much on self defense? How much on sparring?

Is your self defense static or dynamic in nature?

----Those would be good questions to start out with. Feel fee to print them off and take them with you. A good instructor will not mind being drilled with questions.

Write the answers down and bring them back. I can also usually get a heads up on an instructor if you have their name and location.

Check out a half dozen schools if you can, make sure you get a couple free lessons to see if you like the way they structure their class, and go from there.

It'd be cool if you could find a Judo or American Kenpo Karate class for your son.

[LeiYunFat]

You're not looking for style effectiveness, unless I'm mistaken. You're looking for how good your child likes it first and foremost, and then whether or not the class fits your goals for him.

Just explain to the instructor your goals. You're not looking to put him in tournaments, boost his ego, or make him a better fighter. Therefore, there should be little or less emphasis on this, rather on the activity/fun level.

[evolution]

A pic taken from today's class...as you can see, I got happy kids.

[aevans410]

come clean, he made you tap out didn't he