Choosing Martial Arts
Many parents choose to enrol their childre
n in a martial arts program. Martial arts are an ancient technique that trains the mind, body and spirit to act as one. Those who seek to train in Martial Arts work towards harmony, but also learn useful self-defence techniques for protection. Children who get involved in martial arts reap many benefits that can be applied to several areas of their life. Most martial arts originated in Asia and include karate, jiu jitsu, aikido, tae kwon do, judo muay Thai, and Kung Fu.
If you are looking for a fun and engaging extracurricular activity for your kids, kids Kung Fu can be the perfect choice.
Kung Fu is a practice known to improve both mental and physical well-being. For children it’s a great way to protect against bullying and instil some valuable developmental skills. Training in Kung Fu can also help the children focus in school as it uses up some of that built up energy, so they can get a great nights rest as well.
What will kids learn in Kung Fu class?
Kung Fu mainly focuses on three areas; speed, strength and stamina. With consistent high speed movements, it’s a great workout for the whole body. Kung Fu can also be very calming with a concentration on breathing patterns, but the level of focus on this will vary depending on the style of the class. A skilled instructor will teach a child to concentrate his/her energy on the task at hand and aid them in expanding their understanding of their own capabilities developing focus and confidence.
Below are just a few physical skills a child can develop in kids Kung Fu class…
- Coordination
- Strength
- Physical fitness
- Gross motor skills
- Endurance
- Reflexes
- Concentration
- Balance
In addition, here are some essential social/developmental skills kids can learn in Kung Fu class…
- Concentration
- Self-confidence
- Discipline
- Accountability
- Respect
- Friendship
What age is it appropriate to start learning Kung Fu?
It’s really never too early to learn Kung Fu. However, you can know for sure if a child is ready to study martial arts if he or she:
- Is able to tell left from right.
- Understands empathy – meaning that the child understands others have feelings and that their behavior can affect others’ well-being.
- Has developed age-appropriate manners – will wait his/her turn to speak, will listen quietly to an instructor, etc.
- Has an attention span – able to listen for the length of a class period (typically 30 minutes for small children, and 60 minutes for older children and adults).
- Desire to learn – often takes a little nudging from parents, able to practice at least every other day and a couple times a week for older children.
- Can take polite criticism – able to correct mistakes and guidance from the teacher
Qualifications of Kung Fu teachers
Currently there are no official qualifications to be an instructor of Kung Fu. Anyone can teach Kung Fu up to the grade they hold themselves. That means if a Kung Fu instructor is a grade blue then they can only teach up to that level, though typically an instructor will have a much higher grade.
Instructors should also be registered with a governing body for the relevant style they wish to teach and have insurance and first aid training. When selecting a Kung Fu school, be sure to ask about safety procedures and insurance.