When it comes to choosing programs for our little ones, we are lucky that we have such a wide range of activities to choose from. Afternoon and weekend sports include Martial Arts, Soccer, Football, Netball, Golf, Swimming, plus so many more. How lucky are we that we have access to these activities.
So then there is the question, WHY Martial Arts over these other programs? Lets take a quick dive:
1. General Fitness: Cardio health, muscular strength and endurance, mobility and flexibility. Kids (and adults) will develop these based around their sports – sport specific benefits. We can tick this box for all sporting activities.
2. Achievement: Every sport provides opportunities to succeed and achieve. Whether it be team success, or individual success. The level of these will vary depending on the sport we’re participating in. Kids will idolise their favourite athlete in their favourite sport. They will want to be just like them in every way – it’s why we see so many kids jumping around and saying “siu” like Cristiano Ronaldo. When I was growing up, I (like most of the world) wanted to be like Michael Jordan.
While having positive role models is important, their level of success doesn’t always translate to everyone else. Everyone wants to represent their Club or Country. But with hundreds, or thousands of people competing for 10-20 places, playing sport at an elite level isn’t realistic for everyone – but it is a great goal for people to work towards.
In Martial Arts, every student has the same opportunity and chance to earn their Black Belt. The only thing that holds them back is their effort and determination. Through hard work and commitment, every child can earn their Black Belt in their chosen Martial Art. In Martial Arts, we teach the kids about Life Skills and Values, and we give them something to work towards.
3. Seasonal: With the changes in weather, we have changes in sport. Some sport participation is half a year, while others can go all year round with modifications to games and training (indoor and outdoor options). Unlike these sports, Martial Arts is not seasonal. Martial Arts becomes a way of life. We aren’t disciplined for 6 months, we aren’t respectful for 6 months, we are a Martial Artist all year round.
4. “Jump Ship”: Most kids participate in a sport because their friends are in the same sport. They want to be with their friend, and with a familiar face. While this is a great way to get kids comfortable in a program, it’s also a great way to get the kids OUT of a program. When friends leave programs, they leave as a group. Many parents are shocked when they hear that students are training for 3, 5, even 10 years! This counters the common notion that kids now have shorter attention spans and are driven towards technology. Kids move from activity to activity, one day its Pokemon cards, next week its Fortnight.
5. Life Skills: How many activities deal with Life Skills? Martial Arts is a program that helps develop Confidence, Resilience and Positive Behaviour. Thankfully, the likelihood of physical confrontations is trending down in most places. But on the flip side, the online bullying, exposure to negativity, and sensory overload from Social Media is on the rise. Activities like Martial Arts help give kids the tools to overcoming these.
Master Christopher Ingrati
6th Dan Kukkiwon Taekwondo Black Belt
Muay Thai Instructor
Curriculum Developer
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Education Degree UNSW