There are more than 79,000 martial arts schools in the United States, according to the latest available data from IBISWorld, teaching everything from Japanese karate and Chinese Kung Fu to Brazilian Jiujitsu and mixed martial arts. Approximately 55 percent of all students are under the age of 17. This may be due to the increasing incidences of bullying in schools. Whatever the case, there are several benefits to enrolling your children in a martial arts school. Here are just a few of them.
Protection
When you put your children in a martial art for kids program, they’ll learn various punching, blocking and kicking techniques that they can use to protect themselves. Many martial arts, including Taekwondo, teach kids to leverage their size and weight to defeat even the largest adversaries. If nothing else, your child will know he can protect himself.
Self-Discipline
The various kata and striking techniques kids learn in martial arts studios take considerable amounts of skill and agility to master. This will provide your child with a sense of accomplishment, which can translate into a greater level of self-confidence.
Better Focus
Because martial arts for kids programs require keen listening skills and intense concentration, your child will learn to focus more. This skill can easily transfer over to your son’s schoolwork, for example, and even improve his grades in the process.
Good Exercise
Kids that take lessons in martial arts for kids schools will expend lots of energy and calories. This can keep them within normal weight ranges as society continues to battle childhood obesity.
Enrolling your kids in a martial arts program can also get them away from their computers and tablets. If nothing else, it’s one way for your kids to interact with others their own age. It also provides them with a way to get in some exercise.