School is more than just academics. There are extracurricular activities, social groups, cliques, and bullying. The days a child spends at school will shape their paths for the rest of their lives. Ensuring that your child has good values and present themselves with honour and dignity is no easy feat. Enrolling them in a martial arts class is a great way to start their journey to being respectful young adults. Here’s how martial arts can help your children in school.
#1 Respect
In martial arts you are taught to respect your instructor and address them in a professional way. Each instructor will inform the children on how they are to be addressed and the expectation is that the child follows through on the respectful address. This respect can flow through to the classroom where students address their peers and teachers, not to mention a healthy dose of self-respect which is not always easy to come by for many teens.
#2 Inclusion
There is no discrimination permitted in martial arts. It is important that all students are inclusive and respectful of all people no matter what other prejudices may be. The teaching of inclusion in a martial arts class will train the children to be inclusive in all walks of life. With hope the discipline learned in a martial arts class will lead to a reduction in bullying around their school.
#3 Focus on Studies
Children have a lot of expectations when they are in school. They are expected to study and learn while still being kids and playing at every chance they get. A child who studies martial arts will have the ability to focus and channel their energy into their studies using the same discipline they have learned in class. A sharp mind achieved from martial arts training will help tremendously with focus on studies.
#4 Competition
Martial arts can be a competitive sport, and many children have demonstrated that they can compete at very high levels. The passion that drives a young child to compete in a martial arts competition does not simply dissolve in other aspects of life. Children trained in martial arts are able to transfer that competitive edge to different sports and activities allowing them to not only compete, but to compete with dignity.
Children are amazing and can do amazing things and the years they spend in school are important for the development. Allow them to pursue a passion in martial arts and watch as the skills gained are positively applied to their time and activities at school.
