Parents and children who enroll in a martial arts class together can reap a number of benefits. While many people are familiar with the positive impact martial arts training can have on the discipline, confidence and physical fitness of kids, few parents are willing to dedicate the time to train alongside them. For best results, select a martial arts school that you both enjoy and make regular attendance a part of your family schedule.
Encouragement
By enrolling in a martial arts class with your child, you help provide a supportive environment for her practice. The list of techniques, forms and kata can be difficult for young newcomers to master, and the fact that you are training alongside each other will help encourage your child to persevere through difficulties. This can be a double-edged sword, however, if after a period of time you find you are no longer able to attend the class, which could have a discouraging effect.
Kids and Parents in Class
According to the Martial Arts International website, kids who dedicate themselves to a martial practice gain a wealth of benefits, including goal-setting, discipline, conflict-resolution, confidence and physical fitness. By joining your kid in class, you teach by example, which can inspire your child to perform at her best. However, you must let your child fight her own battles in class. Resist the urge to stand up for your child when she is losing a sparring match; otherwise, you might rob her of a learning opportunity and cause her to feel embarrassed or incapable.
A Family That Trains Together
Perhaps the most immediate benefit of enrolling in a martial arts class with your child is that you can practice together at home. If your chosen martial art instructs adults and kids in the same kata or fighting sequences, you can deepen your relationship by practicing and correcting each other at home. Since most martial arts have a historical legacy, you can combine training with history and culture lessons, for example, eating Japanese food after karate class.
Considerations
Aside from a shortage of free time, one of the reasons parents choose not to take martial arts with their children is to protect their independence. Many kids are embarrassed if their parents even watch during martial arts class, much less practice alongside them. Establish clear, open communication with your child and try to avoid acting in a way that would cause self-consciousness or discomfort for your child.
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