Kids’ martial arts are an excellent form of exercise, however, the benefits extend far beyond that.
Today, many parents look to martial arts programs to help develop character in their children. Mixed martial arts require more than just physical ability, it’s a mental game too.
As your child learns self-defense, they will also learn other essential skills that will benefit their mental health.
How Martial Arts Aids In Child Development
Let’s take a closer look at how martial arts can lead to lifelong learning on a mental and emotional level for children.
Success Through Self-Discipline
The first quality that comes to mind when considering the ways in which martial arts can help build a child’s character is discipline.
We’ve all been exposed to Hollywood martial arts movies that depict older martial artists admonishing their younger students over a lack of discipline. Cliches are cliches only because we have come to see their truth as obvious — martial arts is an incredible method for developing a child’s self-discipline. The more pertinent question here might be why place so much emphasis on building up a child’s discipline in the first place?
The best way to answer this question is to consider that no matter how talented someone might be, if they lack the discipline to apply those talents in a consistent way, they will rarely obtain the success they’re capable of.
Developing a child’s character, particularly their discipline and self-control, sets them up for an easier path in life and greater success. Almost all worthwhile goals will require a long-term effort, which is what’s required when you learn martial arts.
Involving a child in an activity such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and other martial arts that require long-term commitment and regular effort towards a bigger goal is a recipe for discipline.
Patience Is a Virtue
One of the most valuable qualities that martial arts help develop in a child’s character is also one of the most crucial qualities for success in a number of life circumstances: patience.
In our instant-gratification world where children are used to high-speed internet and fast food, enrolling your child in a martial arts program confronts them with a practice that has no option for shortcuts and fast-forwards.
Practicing grappling techniques and striking arts can extend throughout an entire lifetime; there is no quick fix to learning the next technique. Mastery of a move will require patience to practice again and again until the correct form begins to take hold.
Teaching a child patience is often sorely neglected in today’s culture; telling our kids to wait until after dinner before watching TV won’t yield the same level of intimate understanding of patience that a martial arts practice can.
Focus as a Foundation
Many parents often find themselves at odds with their children when attempting to coax them into applying more focus on their school work and other efforts.
Parents know that the ability to focus is a vital aspect of developing a child’s character that will set them up for success in life. The child who cannot focus in school later becomes the adult who cannot focus at work. The ability to focus on a task for extended amounts of time can make all the difference in life.
When smartphones and entertainment are always within reach, martial arts are an invaluable method for developing the focus a child needs for success and good character. Martial arts such as Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu train students in the ability to focus by requiring their concentration during practice.
In order to learn techniques, a student must remain focused on their instructor and in their practice. Additionally, when sparring with other students, their focus is put to the ultimate test, as a lack of attention will result in a quick loss.
Superb Self-Confidence
When it comes to your child’s character, you cannot underestimate the value of self-confidence in developing strong character in a child. A child who lacks confidence will often hold themselves back from participating in things that could be highly beneficial for them, such as projects at school or social events.
Growing a child’s confidence is often misunderstood as a process of applying constant praise. Telling our children they are wonderful stems from a place of love, but this favored parent pastime does more for us than for our kids.
It’s important to understand the concept of confidence as being the belief that one has in their ability to succeed. Naturally, the only way we can test the validity of that belief is to make our own attempts at success.
Martial arts is the perfect training ground for building confidence. It is only through a child experiencing success after their own efforts that they will grow their confidence.
A Lifetime of Leadership
A child who has the opportunity to learn martial arts is also more likely to have strong leadership skills.
There are several ways that martial arts indirectly influence your child’s ability to lead. For one, martial arts teaches children to address instructors and peers respectfully, enhancing verbal and non-verbal communication skills. Advanced students may even end up helping beginners, giving them experience in mentoring.
Martial arts also require strategic thinking and adapting to an opponent’s moves, which can help sharpen your child’s decision-making skills. Sparring and competitions also teach children to stay calm and make decisions under pressure.
Then there’s the fact that martial arts programs are structured around short- and long-term goals, which teaches children the importance of setting and achieving objectives. The emphasis on continuous improvement instills a growth mindset, a key trait of effective leaders.
Developing Your Child’s Personality With the Best Martial Arts Classes
Building character in our children is one of the most important duties a parent has. There are many aspects of character that a child must develop in order to be successful later in life, most notably discipline, patience, focus, and self-confidence.
The study of martial arts disciplines such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Kung Fu has been used for centuries to build the character of its students. This ancient practice has never been more relevant to our modern parenting needs and we’re here to help you get started.
Premier Martial Arts has studios across the world. It’s a space for your child to get a full body workout while also discovering new social skills that will take them far in life. If you are interested in finding out more about how martial arts can grow your child’s character, check out our many convenient locations here.
