An after school program that your child’s school offers is beneficial in its own way, but martial arts for kids has really special advantages that other after school activities just don’t offer. It’s about learning valuable skills like focus, discipline, perseverance, and making fitness fun. We gathered up our top 5 reasons why Williamsville parents choose martial arts for kids–and some of them may surprise you! Read on to find out more.
Reason #1: Martial Arts for Kids Helps Kids Focus
Stepping outside of an after school program for a second, we can say with confidence that a lot of kids struggle with staying focused and concentrating. Some of it is, of course, just part of being a kid. Some of it has to do with more screen time, leading to less control over attention spans. And some of it is due to plain old genetics, if attention issues run in the family.
There’s good news, though; a lot of students with attention problems see massive improvement with consistent kids martial arts classes. Why? Well, martial arts for kids is actually about way more than just punches and kicks. It’s a tool that people have been using for hundreds of years to develop character and learn vital life skills.
Our instructors are like ninjas, sneaking in quick games and activities to build focus over time. But aside from games, the act of martial arts itself requires discipline, too. To master the physical moves, kids need to be still, listen intently, and concentrate on what they’re doing.
Reason #2: Better Grades are Possible with Martial Arts for Kids
Yes, it’s true. A martial arts after school program can help your child achieve better grades. How, you may ask? Here’s how it works: Through a combination of consistent practice and fun games and activities, we teach them how to improve their focus and attention skills.
With this laser focus, our students start to become more “indistractable”- they have better control of their bodies and can pay attention more easily, meaning they squirm less in their seats in class and can focus on the tasks at hand.
Improved focus means improved listening, so the information is “sticking” better, and completing their assignments with a higher quality of concentration. And, because the information is “sticking” better, they’re recalling that info on tests and quizzes, they’re scoring higher because of this heightened recall, and voila–better grades! Yes, it is that effective. Now you may be starting to see why parents love martial arts classes!
Reason #3: Martial Arts is an After School Program that Builds Confidence
Believe it or not, sometimes your child’s after school program can lead to a decrease in confidence because they’re comparing themselves to others on their sports team or in their debate club. If your child isn’t the most athletic, or they’re somewhat shy, it can be difficult to find a program where they don’t have to worry about “letting the team down” or being self-conscious in front of others.
The benefits of after school program are great for this particular kind of child, since it’s an individual sport in a group setting, so our students don’t have to worry about being the best of the best. They just have to focus on being better than they were yesterday. They learn how to compare themselves not necessarily to others, which can be a losing game, but to the previous versions of themselves to progress and achieve.
In this way, our students can see in real-time how awesome it feels to set goals and achieve them, and they can understand the discipline and perseverance it takes to become successful. Those are skills they’ll take with them for life.
Reason #4: Our Martial Arts Instructors are Positive Role Models for Kids
Most after school programs are about the result; the show in Drama Club, the games in sports. But martial arts for kids is different. Achieving a new belt rank is not our sole focus. Remember how martial arts is a tool for self-development? Pairing that with the individual nature of the sport, our instructors can hone in on each student and help them with their unique journey.
Our instructors then become positive role models to our students, bonding with the kids and encouraging them through positive reinforcement, positive self-talk, and a focus on progress, not perfection.
Reason #5: It’s Just Fun!
The fifth reason is that the karate after school program is just fun! Our amazing instructors make each lesson fun and engaging. Our kids karate classes are centered around non-stop activity. We break each class into different sections to keep kids interested and continually learning in these critical years of growth and development.
Fun activities and games also help our students connect fitness and positive emotion, a connection that they’ll carry with them for life. This big focus on fun is also a way for our instructors to sneak those life skills–like focus, confidence, and discipline–into each lesson. The kids don’t even know they’re learning something; they’re too busy having a blast!