Five Questions Parents Must Ask Before Enrolling Their Kids in Martial Arts

Five Questions Parents Must Ask Before Enrolling Their Kids in Martial Arts

According to one study, somewhere between six and eight million American children practice some form of martial arts every year. That’s a lot of kids! Would you know a good school if you saw one? Here are a few tips to help you find the best school for your child:

1. Is your child physically and emotionally ready for a contact sport?

Karate, boxing, Kickboxing and Taekwondo are primarily stand-up striking arts, concentrating on punching and kicking. Judo, wrestling, Aikido, and jiu-jitsu are mostly grappling arts that focus on throwing and joint locks. “Mixed martial arts” is a relatively new term referring to those schools that blend both striking and grappling in their teaching.

 

So, is your child ready for this?

2. What do you want your child to learn?

Most schools promote Discipline and Respect for their students. However, there are two types of martial arts schools: Tournament focused or Self-Defense focused. It is important to ask the instructor which is emphasized in class. Both offer great character-building development, but there is a huge difference between practicing to win a trophy and practicing self-defense.

 

 

3. Does the instructor have a “safety first” attitude?

Watch a few classes before signing anything. When the students spar each other in a striking art (like karate), do they wear proper safety equipment (gloves, mouthguard, helmet)? Many schools require the students to wear chest protection as well. It is crucial that the instructor takes the right precautions to prevent injuries. I also recommend that students do not engage in full contact striking sparring until they are effectively trained. Also, look around to see if the facility is clean. Do they take steps to regularly clean the mats with disinfectant and keep the bathrooms and changing areas clean? If it is a “dungeon dojo,” then stay away.

4. Is the head instructor qualified?

People can make up degrees and mount them on walls. But there are a few clues you can look for to determine their qualifications: Does the instructor ever do public demonstrations of his skills? Does the school have a good reputation in the community? Ask around. Is the instructor certified by an organization? Some great ones are independent, but if they belong to a large, reputable organization like the United States Judo Association or the World Taekwondo Federation, where you can check out their credentials. Is the school known as a “black belt factory,” where the students are guaranteed a black belt in a certain amount of time two years? Or do they have to pass rigorous tests, and nothing is guaranteed or given? They earn it. Does the instructor speak well of other martial artists and their schools, or does he/she have a cultish attitude, where they believe they are the only “true” martial artist? Good instructors are not threatened by your questions. They welcome them.

5. Does the school promote an attitude of encouraging everyone?

If you see older or more advanced students belittling others and pushing their way around, talk to the instructor about it. If it seems to be a habit, find another dojo. You want your child to love going to class and learning new skills. A good school always discourages bullying, everywhere and in all its forms. And it makes sure that the martial arts skills learned in the classroom are only used for self-defense or tournaments.

The Martial Arts is a vast world of excitement and exploration. I hope your children train hard and enjoy the journey!