I truly believe that Martial Arts has the answer for nearly every challenge that a child might face. Whether it be bullying, obesity, a short attention span, a lack of athletic skill, low confidence or a poor self-image, martial arts can help. I'm guessing you feel similar.
Although Martial Arts is far more popular than it used to be, I don't think the general public really understands how great it is for children. For that, it’s up to us to get the word out and articulate the benefits of Martial Arts for children. Over the next couple of months I'm going to share with you some of the scripts that we use with our team to role-play conversations about the benefits of Martial Arts training. Let's get the word out so a lot more children can benefit from training!
Answering the question, “How Does Martial Arts Develop A Child’s Confidence?”
One of the ways that training in the martial arts helps children to become more confident is by showing them how to set and accomplish short-, medium- and long-term goals. This is done through the progression of belts. As a child experiences success in training, that success naturally transfers outside the school as well, making them more likely to set and achieve other goals. Remember, success is the backbone of confidence.
Martial Arts training also helps children to face their fears in a safe, nurturing environment. As a child learns to defend themselves, they become less threatened by those around them. Then, instead of sending out signals that say, “I am weak, I'm not sure of myself, I'm a victim,” they start sending out signals that say, “I'm strong, I’m confident, I am a nice person, but don't mess with me.”
And here’s a response to, “Why Martial Arts Is Good For Shy Kids?”
For many children, Martial Arts is the perfect activity to help shy children come out of their shells. It starts with small things like learning to look people in the eye, learning to stand straight and speak clearly. Eventually, children progress to more advanced movements. As they begin expressing themselves physically on the mat and become more outgoing in class, it automatically carries over into other areas of their life.
I hope these tips help you to share the benefits of Martial Arts training in your community. In Part II, we will continue our discussion on “Why Martial Arts Is Great For Children.”
