Martial arts for kids.

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Serena

Administrator
Hi, all. My 10-year-old nephew has been trying to convince his parents for two years that he wants to get into "karate" (his word, for lack of a better term) and they have finally consented. However, no one in our family has any knowledge of martial arts whatsoever.

I've gathered from reading some of the posts in this section that many of you have an avid interest in the martial arts and/or are studying and practicing.

If you wouldn't mind, could you please give me a few ideas, some of your opinions as to where a kid can start. It seems there are many different areas, different beliefs, etc. and I wondered what your thoughts would be on what he should look for, what questions to ask, even what your preference would be, just to get an idea of where to begin. I told my brother and his wife I had some friends who seemed to be rather knowledgeable in this area and that I respected their opinions and they asked me to see what I could find out.

I would really appreciate any input you can offer.

Thanks very much,
Serena.
 
D

danielle

Guest
Serena said:
Hi, all. My 10-year-old nephew has been trying to convince his parents for two years that he wants to get into "karate" (his word, for lack of a better term) and they have finally consented. However, no one in our family has any knowledge of martial arts whatsoever.

I've gathered from reading some of the posts in this section that many of you have an avid interest in the martial arts and/or are studying and practicing.

If you wouldn't mind, could you please give me a few ideas, some of your opinions as to where a kid can start. It seems there are many different areas, different beliefs, etc. and I wondered what your thoughts would be on what he should look for, what questions to ask, even what your preference would be, just to get an idea of where to begin. I told my brother and his wife I had some friends who seemed to be rather knowledgeable in this area and that I respected their opinions and they asked me to see what I could find out.

I would really appreciate any input you can offer.

Thanks very much,
Serena.
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Hi Serena,
I study Taekwondo and am an orange belt.
I previously studied Taekwondo in the 80's when I was a kid after the success of The Karate Kid. I regret that I quit as a child, but now that I am back into it, it's the best thing I have ever done for myself.

My instructor teaches children beginning at 4 years old. There are kids under 18 who are black belts and I believe that the benefits of martial arts for children are great. They learn respect, discipline and improved self-esteem. Plus, they can defend themselves.
If your kid hasn't taken a martial art before, it will take some getting used to in the beginning. But kids are pretty adaptable and once he sees that he is making progress, he should excel.

On a side note, Karate and Taekwondo are very similar; Karate is Japanese and TKD is Korean. TKD has a heavier emphasis on kicking.

If you want to talk more, email me at dromano@bellsouth.net

Danielle
 
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Serena

Administrator
Thank you very much, Danielle. That was very informative. My nephew is very physically active, having been involved in all kids of sports, organized and not, since the age of 5, including ice and roller hockey, baseball and soccer, so I think he stands a good chance. I'll let my brother and his family know what you said and I will contact you if they have any more questions (thanks for that offer).

I appreciate your response, Danielle. Thanks again. :)

Serena
 
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Serena

Administrator
Amos Stevens said:
At the Makoto Dojo they have classes for children 7-10 & then toddlers 4-6

You might try contacting Reynosa Sensei to see if he could refer you to a good dojo in your area if you're interested:

http://makotodojo.com/
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That's a great idea, Amos. I'll pass that address on to my brother so he can check it out for his son. He's going to be 11 soon, so I guess he's too old for the Makoto Dojo. Thanks very much for the tip. I appreciate that.

Serena
 
TDWoj

TDWoj

Administrator
Staff member
I don't know if they have kids' classes for this, but my friend's son (he's 21 years old now) is taking stick fighting classes (I'm going to show him the scene in Out for Justice one day, where Steven is stick-fighting on his knees). I don't know if there's a name for it other than "stick fighting". I've seen videos of him (my friend's son) doing it - it's quite the technique, and takes a lot of skill. Girls/women do it as well, in fact, the local champion is a woman.
 
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Serena

Administrator
Hmmmm, let's see, TD. A fighting stick in the hands of a wild almost-11-year-old. I can see it now.......ouch! :) No, they probably don't have classes for children. Actually, though, it sounds like something he would like!
 
TDWoj

TDWoj

Administrator
Staff member
I remember just after Star Wars came out, there was a big surge in kids wanting to take Kendo. Fads, eh....
 
kokoro

kokoro

Protector
Hi Serena,

I suggest you ask your family what they want out of a martial art for their son, and then try and find an instructor/teacher that will fit with their way of thinking. Don't limit to any particular style, if he dislike's Karate, try TKD, or Kung Fu, or Aikido, or Escrima/stick fighting, the list goes on. All martial arts are great, and they all have weaknesses, but it is the instructor/teacher that one should scrutinize more than the art, especially for children.

Send me a PM if you have any questions.

Goodluck!! ;)
 
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Serena

Administrator
Hi, Kokoro. It makes sense what you said about not being limited to any particular style. I don't believe they have any expectations at all, since they know nothing about any of it. It's a good idea about seeing what he likes or dislikes, as even though he has no formal knowledge of the arts, he probably has some ideas in his head that could get them started down the right path. I really like what you said about the teacher/instructor being more important than the art itself at this point.

Thanks for taking the time to respond, Kokoro, and for your offer of a PM. I'll take you up on that if they have any specific questions down the road.

Serena
 
Lotussan

Lotussan

I Belong To Steven
TD, I think the stick fighting called escrima or something like that...
Steven does it in Hard To Kill in the scene with the pool cues, I think...
Good ole' sweet kokoro, always willing to help...:)
 
TDWoj

TDWoj

Administrator
Staff member
Serena said:
Hi, Kokoro. It makes sense what you said about not being limited to any particular style. I don't believe they have any expectations at all, since they know nothing about any of it. It's a good idea about seeing what he likes or dislikes, as even though he has no formal knowledge of the arts, he probably has some ideas in his head that could get them started down the right path. I really like what you said about the teacher/instructor being more important than the art itself at this point.

Thanks for taking the time to respond, Kokoro, and for your offer of a PM. I'll take you up on that if they have any specific questions down the road.

Serena
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One thing in my researches I've discovered, is that a good dojo will allow you to observe a class, or even take one free class, just to see if you like it.

The Ten Shin dojo in my neck of the woods offers just such an opportunity.

See if there's something like that in your area, as well.
 
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Serena

Administrator
TDWoj said:
One thing in my researches I've discovered, is that a good dojo will allow you to observe a class, or even take one free class, just to see if you like it.

The Ten Shin dojo in my neck of the woods offers just such an opportunity.

See if there's something like that in your area, as well.
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That's a GREAT idea, TD. I don't think any of us thought of that as a possibility, since when is anything free? But I bet there's a very good chance they would let you at least observe a session before investing any money. Now I'm wondering how expensive this can get.

Thanks, TD.
Serena
 
TDWoj

TDWoj

Administrator
Staff member
Yup. Got one right here in Toronto. It's run by a woman, a 4th Dan. Rates are pretty reasonable, but it's in the downtown core. Another reason why I want to move downtown.
 
Markydo

Markydo

New Member
hi there Serena!

Good for your nephew!

Karate is an excellent Martial art to learn as are all the others, I went to several different martial arts classes and dojos until i found one that i love to do! now i have my daughter doing it, her friend, and one of my friends!

Martial arts are a lot like shopping sprees! you have to shop around until you find one that fits!

also all martial arts where designed to be passed down from father to son/daughter so they are all geared for kids!

your nephew will gain so much from this!

By the way just in case you wanted to know i study Jujitsu.

Take care
Marky
 
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Serena

Administrator
Hi, Marky. It's good to see you again! Thanks for your input. I did pass on everyone's suggestions to them, especially about "shopping around", as you also mentioned. The last I heard, he was concerning Jujitsu himself. I'll be going over there this weekend for his birthday party and I'll find out what decisions they've made.

Thanks,
Serena.
 
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Karate-Ka

New Member
Fist I'm glad that your nephew wants to train the martial arts. I wish I would have gotten invovled when I was that young.

At his age, I'd say the most improtant thing is that he have fun with it, enjoy it and want to train in whatever art that being said, all arts will teach you self displine, fitness, respect, and will give you confidence in yourself. Some people say that their training has given them the ability to avoid a fight, and not need to use if for self defence but at least if you need to defend yourself you can.

I'd say for him and his folks to look around the local area for different styles arts. Most instructors will let you take a few classes for free. You nephew could try a few styles and then let him choose.

I suggest his folks accompany him and watch how the instructor interacts with the kids. With one karate instructor I had, we played a few games before and after class for the younger kids and to get some exercise. (Dodge ball, Soccer),

It would be nice if there are child/teen classes and adult classes. I would think he'd feel more at ease starting in a new art with children around his own age.

Hope this helps,
Josh aka Karate-Ka
 
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Serena

Administrator
Hello, Karate-Ka.

Thank you very much for your ideas. You're obviously very knowledgeable in this area and I appreciate you taking the time to share your thoughts.

Unfortunately, this nephew is the son of my brother who was recently diagnosed with colon cancer. He's currently undergoing chemo and we're all praying for the best. Due to obvious time constraints and also financial reasons stemming from my brother's illness, they were unable to pursue enrollment any further at this time.

I did offer to pay for the lessons for him for Christmas, but he wants to wait. He's very worried about his dad and I don't think he's ready to make this commitment yet, which I fully understand. Depending on things, I told him maybe for his birthday next year I could start getting lessons for him, which he was agreeable to.

Thanks again, Karate-Ka, and I will definitely take your suggestions into consideration when the time comes.
 
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