Karate

[~PICKLE~]

Last night we went to a mall to go trick or treating. they had this KArate group giving a show for everybody. My son is 4 but the 19th of this month is going to be 5. He expressed how much he wants to take Karate ever since he saw the show.... He actually won't shut up about it.

I don't know much about classes or the age they have to be, I haven't checked into it yet. I was just wondering if maybe it was a good idea. He's only 5, and I just don't know. any advice would help

 

[CurlyCrown]

Check out the dojo's in the area, see if you can sit in and watch some of the children's classes and get an opportunity to talk to the sensei. The dojo that stresses martial arts for defense rather than putting an emphasis on "beating people up" is the best dojo. Also, make sure that the sensei is not putting a great empahsis on perfection and uses negative reinforcement. When you can speak the sensei, ask if he or she has ever had to use the martial arts they teach - the one that refuses to answer is obviously not the sensei you want. However don't be turned off if the sensei admits that they once used it to bully people, because that means that not only do they know what they're teaching, but that they've managed to straighten out and pass on good values. But, obviously use your best judgement on everything.

Also, try to avoid name-brand dojoj's (especially Tiger Schulmans!), and see if you can get your son to consider other forms of martial arts like Aikido or Tae Kwon Do.

 

[jangnim]

I've been a martial artist for many years. My children all did the martial arts to varying degrees of success. My youngest began at age 5;he is now 19.


It is a tough choice to decide to send a child to such a thing because there are so many bad schools that teach you to hurt people and then there are the really good schools that teach disciplined self defense and sports. I would agree with the previous post, look around. Watch a few classes for several weeks before you decide on one school or another, also do your homework on the styles. There are at least 15 different Karate styles in Japan. There are many many (thousands) versions of Kung fu in China, and Korea has several Martial arts to boast. In addition, there are lots of martial arts from elsewhere, and some that are not at all Karate. The choice of style is important.

As you look you may find a wide variation in prices. Some schools claim to be so much better and charge nearly $100 a month. Others are just for fun and can cost less than $65.

Lastly, get to meet the instructors. Talk with them at length. Their business is teaching Karate, but you need to make them realize that your child is a gift, and you are not going to allow him to go just anyplace.

Each style has plusses and minuses. Some focus on throwing, like judo, others, hard styles are very physical, while still others are soft, and spend considerable time on internal energy. Use caution in the internal energy thing, make sure they are not going to turn your child into a Buddist or something.

I have worked with both American and Oriental instructors. Each have their positives and negatives too. Make sure you find someone who YOU are comfortable with, and continue to search until you find what you want your child to do.

If you have specific questions feel free to PM me, unless you want the questions answered on the forum. I hope this helps.

 

[~PICKLE~]

i just don't know yet. Right now we don't have the funds, so if we do it, it's gonna have to be through the Boys and girls Club or something like that. I was hopeing for t-ball or something like that first, not karate.

 

[jangnim]

The martial arts require a lot of dedication, not just from the person in them, but the whole family. If you don't want this right now, for any reason, then the time is not right. The dedication requirements are 2 fold, financial and physical.


There are so vrey many benefits for the arts, including:

Loyalty to family and friends
Better physical conditioning
Better mental conditioning
Improved concentration
Improved stamina
Focus
Self Discipline


I would recomend against the Y courses, since they do not usually have a highly qualified individual in charge of the programs. In my experiences with them, they do more harm than good.

While I love the martial arts, if you are uncomfortable, don't do it. Perhaps it is a phase, nd your child will forget it for now. Anyway, if you wish, feel free to PM me withspecific questions, or post here and I'll answer.

 

[~PICKLE~]

That is all he is talking about. So tomorrow I will look into it. But he is 4 and will be 5 the 19th of this month, does that matter?

 

[jangnim]

That is all he is talking about. So tomorrow I will look into it. But he is 4 and will be 5 the 19th of this month, does that matter?

Most responsible instructors will not accept a 4 or 5 year old. The thinking is that they are not able to focus enough to begin. If I recall, my youngest was 5 going on 6 (within weeks of 6) to begin.

I know he won't understand to connect right now, but if he is set on this, send him to tumbling classes. These classes will help the child learn the kind of balance that every sport requires. Tell him he must do this first and then Karate in a little while. He won't be able to do Karate yet probably. Just from my experience.

I know my rule is 6 or 7 to begin, if they want to do Karate. It is a shame I'm not able to be there to help you. I'd be happy to explain why tumbling is better right now, as I have done for my perspective clients, but alas, I guess you're on your own here. What does your significant other have to say? Perhaps a male response to this would help you, maybe a pastor, or close friend?

 

[Mayzoo]

All great advice above. A dojo, in case you don't know is the school (creed so to speak), and a sensei is the black belt (to any degree) that actually is responsible for overseeing if not instructing the classes.

I have an orange belt (very low difficulty) in jujitsu, that I earned in my adult years. My sensei never had us break boards because he stated that he "has never been attacked by a lone board." His emphasis was on self defense/discipline alone.

 

[jangnim]

All great advice above. A dojo, in case you don't know is the school (creed so to speak), and a sensei is the black belt (to any degree) that actually is responsible for overseeing if not instructing the classes.

I have an orange belt (very low difficulty) in jujitsu, that I earned in my adult years. My sensei never had us break boards because he stated that he "has never been attacked by a lone board." His emphasis was on self defense/discipline alone.

For the record dojo and sensei are both Japanese terms and not universally used in all martial arts. Each nation's art has its own terms for the place of study and the leader(and other terms). Further, a sensei is usually never a lower blackbelt than 3rd degree. 1st and 2nd degrees are usually reserved for assisting. Responsible certifying institutions will not permit 1st or 2nd dan belts to certify others.

 

[97trsgl]

I think Karate can be a good influence on a child. Especially if a child has a "Bully" complex. Karate can teach a child that avoiding a fight is best but if you must fight you should only defend yourself not be the aggresor.

 

[jangnim]

I think Karate can be a good influence on a child. Especially if a child has a "Bully" complex. Karate can teach a child that avoiding a fight is best but if you must fight you should only defend yourself not be the aggresor.

That is definately true.

 

[preventerwind]

listen, the martial arts not only teaches self-control but also teaches honor and inner strength. However at such a young age it is best he starts out with aikido, which teaches self-defence. To establish this at a young age is important.



-preventerwind

 

[jangnim]

listen, the martial arts not only teaches self-control but also teaches honor and inner strength. However at such a young age it is best he starts out with aikido, which teaches self-defence. To establish this at a young age is important.



-preventerwind

I wouldn't agree that Aikido is a good idea for such a small child. A 5 year old has little understanding of the result of a defensive technique. They can begin to understand at 6 but a 4 or 5 year old can't comprehend.