Richel Ann Salazar Olympia

10 REASONS WHY KIDS ENJOY MARTIAL ARTS Looking for an activity that will be great for your kids? Why not try martial arts? We’ve gathered ten reasons that will definitely make you choose martial arts amongst all other activities for your kids. Kids are energetic and sometimes they need an activity where they can use such energy. Though there are tons of activities kids can do, martial arts is one of the best activities for kids. Although some think that martial arts is an adult thing, there are some studies made that prove kids who start young in martial arts develop better physically, emotionally, socially and mentally. As children grow older, the lessons learned in martial arts are not just about self-defense but other values they can use in life. For this list, we’ve included the physical as well as the emotional benefits of martial arts for kids. So before you sign up your kids with other activities, consider these reasons for getting them into martial arts. 1. Keeps Your Child Tough Self-defense is an obvious advantage in getting your kids into martial arts, but this is not as simple as it sounds. If your child is into martial arts, it doesn’t only toughen up his physical body, it also toughens up his mind and emotion. Bullies are everywhere, and knowing martial arts can keep them at bay is a relief. Martial arts can teach your children how to defend themselves from physical, mental and emotional abuse that bullies may cause. Martial arts prevents your children to become one of the 3.2 million students that fall victim to bullying. 2. Keeps Your Child Fit Martial arts is practiced by adults to get fit; this also works for children. Technology nowadays pose a great danger in terms of keeping the body fit and active. Children nowadays barely play real games because of virtual games that can be played through the use gadgets and mobile phones. This results to sluggish movements, laziness and even obesity. Martial arts is very physical; it helps children sweat, move and be more active than before. This benefits their heart, brain and the whole body as they grow old and remain active. 3. Develop Respect Towards Others Respect plays a big role in practicing martial arts. For parents, this is a great advantage as it teaches children to acknowledge authority and elders. There is a global issue with regards to children who do not have a clear distinction in terms of authority. For children, they get to learn how to win the respect of the others by doing the same. This also prevents them from judging people whimsically and also prevent them from becoming one of the bullies. 4. Keep Their Self-Esteem and Confidence Up Low self-esteem and confidence can start at a very young age and can cause a lot of trouble for children as they grow older. This can also become a trigger for emotional and mental stability. Kids with low self-esteem and confidence also tend to be easy prey for bullies. Boosting their self-esteem and confidence along with other important lessons in martial arts can definitely help them get over any life challenges they encounter as they grow old. 5. Helps Them Become Independent Martial arts teach children to reach their goals by becoming a team player, but it also teaches them how to work independently. There are activities in martial arts that let your children explore their limitations and let them progress on their own efforts. Being more independent will help them determine what they can achieve as they grow older. 6. They Learn to Set Goals Because your children learn independence with martial arts, they also learn the goals they want to achieve. The simple goals of achieving higher ranking in martial arts can be carried by your children in any aspect of their lives. the sense of achievement for each goals reached will allow them to look forward to a new goal.These goals will keep them motivated and eventually be successful in life, career, and social status and even in their future families. 7. Makes Your Child Disciplined and Focused As your children set their own goals, you’ll get to see how martial arts teach them how to achieve each one goal with determination, focus and discipline. With every moment they rank higher, they learn that some things need hard work to be accomplished. Carrying this life lesson even as adults will definitely make them successful in whatever they set to pursue. 8. Helps Your Child Become More Athletic This modern age gives too much comfort for kids. Research can be done at home, games are done through mobile phones and gadgets, and socialization means going active in social media. These activities, however, only prove to be dangerous because kids do not have enough exercise. Martial arts can keep kids’ body more athletic and active. The motor skills and flexibility of kids develop as they learn different moves and practices of martial arts. You’re also assured that your kid will excel on physical activities other than martial arts. 9. Keeps Their Minds Sharp In martial arts, it’s not only the body that functions but also the mind. Children’s bodies become so accustomed with the mind-body coordination that they develop better mental health. Their minds become sharp enough to know what they need to move they have to do next or even make accurate predictions on the possible moves that their opponents will make. Learning martial arts have also proven to make the mind tough, especially as a child grows and encounter unexpected and hard times. 10. Kids Just Love It- It’s So Much Fun! Martial arts is not just for the serious people; martial arts are also for children, or children at heart, who want to have more fun with other people and with themselves. Children discover their potentials and enjoy each one in martial arts. They also get to socialize with other kids, bringing out the natural playfulness in them. Martial arts give kids these benefits, fun and friends. So if you are planning on getting your kids into more activities, why not try martial arts? You will definitely get a happy kid and you might even want to get into martial arts yourself.