Martial Arts & Children

[complete]

When do you think is the good age for children to start martial arts training?

[NinjaMaster]

I would say about the age of 4.

Some argue that strenous exercise at early age can stun the growth but martial arts for children I believe teaches hand-eye coordination, balance, displine, focus, and so much more.

I started training at early age. I just wish I have kept it up.......

The martial arts training for children is lot different than for adults, even in same schools. As long as the instructor is aware of children growth, group acitivites and exercise can be good for the children. It shouldn't stun their growth like weight training. Having said that, I would want my kid to start as soon as he is able to walk and run comfortably.....

[SunTzu]

I teach mostly kids and I ask that they be at least 5 years old. I make exceptions for a few younger ones because they are able to pay attention and follow instructions well.

Originally posted by complete@Jan 14 2005, 06:51 PM
When do you think is the good age for children to start martial arts training?

Quoted post

I know plenty of excellent martial artists who have started training as early as 3 or 4. I guess it really depends on the children itself. There can be a very mature 3 vs. immature 5.

[NinjaMaster]

Many of 2nd generation martial artists started training at really early age - such as Ernie Reyes, Jr. or Mark Dacascos, June Castro, etc.

[Palladius]

I started when I was 5 as I had the maturity to understand discipline. There are teenagers that I teach now who have less of a concept of dicipline than I had when I was 5....

[NinjaMaster]

It really should be 2 parts question.

1) When is it a good time for children to start training in martial arts?

2) How do you get the children interested in it long time to continue training?

[complete]

That's why they have so many belts these days......

I remember when I was training Tae Kwon Do in Korea, there were only 5 colored belts - white, yellow. blue, red, and black.

Nowadays in US, I see every color there is - orange, green, brown, purple, etc. Not to mention stripes in the belts I've never seen before.

Originally posted by NinjaMaster@Apr 26 2005, 12:04 PM

2) How do you get the children interested in it long time to continue training?

Quoted post

[ungraspable]

I have seen kids enter into our "tiny tigers" program from the ages of 3-5 that just bounce off the wall and don't understand anything at all. It seems as if their parents have hired the MA studio as a babysitter. I would say it depends on the child's maturity level because along with seeing a lot of spaz kids, I have also seen the most dedicated kindergartners in my life. Hope my two cents was of some value

[ninikins]

I would suggest around the age of 5 depending on maturity. And I also suggest trying to find the right trainer as it is different for children and it's easy to cause damage.

[SuperCrew]

5 - 6 years old is a good time for children to start. Martial arts have helped my son to be more self-confident, improved his eye-hand coordination, and has taught him discipline. I am very pleased with my school for the work they have done with the children's classes. I've seen a few "bad kids" turn around because of the instructors we have.

[NinjaMaster]

I think it's so cool to hear of father son taking martial arts together. Equally cool is to hear of someone straightening their lives because of martial arts.

There should be more inspirational stories like this.

[Slashmire]

Yes, although I think that martial art may not be for all the children out there; some kids are more "troublesome" than others; I wonder if they could still follow classes well though :\

[MMA_Fan]

Kids can excel at martial arts, given proper instructions.

Even the trouble kids in right environment can do wonders. It's just my humble opinion.