Injury prevention and safety tips
Instructors. Experienced instructors will teach at a level appropriate for your child's age and maturity. Lessons should also be fun. Visit a variety of instructors and ask about their experiences with young children and their teaching philosophy.
Technique. An instructor's emphasis on technique and self-control is very important in limiting the risk for injury. Contact to the head should be discouraged.
Equipment. Safety gear should fit properly and be well maintained and may (depending on the situation) include headgear, body pads and mouth guards.
Environment. Mats and floors should be safe to play on. Gaps between mats can cause sprained ankles. Wet or worn floors can cause slips and falls.
SOURCE: American Academy of Pediatrics
Types of martial arts
The term “martial arts” can be used to describe any number of styles or disciplines of self-defense practices. There are many different styles practiced around the world.
Karate is a traditional Japanese form. The hands and feet are trained and prepared for use in a weaponless form of self-defense.
Tae kwon do is a traditional Korean martial art. It is also the most popular. This form highlights discipline, respect and personal growth and focuses on the use of the feet for powerful kicks in self-defense.
Judo uses many methods to control an opponent while on the ground. In many ways it is more similar to wrestling than to the other martial arts.
Kung fu is one of the oldest forms of martial arts.The term may be used to describe all of the hundreds of Chinese martial arts. Kung fu is mainly a "stand-up" form of the martial arts, known for its powerful blocks. Wushu is the most popular and modern form of kung fu.
Aikido Japanese martial art is known as a throwing style. It teaches a nonaggressive approach to self-defense, focusing on joint locks, throws, and restraining techniques, rather than kicks and punches.
Jujitsu emphasizes techniques that allow a smaller fighter to overcome a bigger, stronger opponent. First practiced in Japan, jujutsu is considered a ground fighting or grappling style of the martial arts. Many of the forms have been incorporated into other martial arts, such as judo, karate and aikido.
It all started with a week of free classes. three years and 16 belts later, 12-year-old Gabrielle Schneider is a conditional black belt in karate.
Her father Tom still shakes his head in disbelief.
“At the time, she was singularly focused on dance, I had no expectation that she would go beyond that first week,” the Kettering father of two said. “I’m very surprised, I would have lost a lot of money on that bet,” he said with a smile.
Still a dancer, Gabrielle has seen the benefits of karate in the dance studio.
“It has definitely helped me become stronger,” she said. “And it’s fun.”
Gabrielle is not alone as more than 6 million children in the United States participate in martial arts. Benefits can include improved social skills, increased ability to focus as well as greater strength and fine motor skills.
“It’s not just about developing strength, it’s about self confidence and leadership ability,” Tom said.
Instructor’s take
Sifu Jeremy Roadruck of Meng’s Martial Arts in Centerville has been an instructor for more than two decades and has seen firsthand the many benefits of martial arts instruction for children. Roadruck said a well-run program offers three main benefits.
“The first is some level of fitness, whole body fitness,” Roadruck said.
Balance, reaction time, static and dynamic flexibility and hand-eye coordination will also show improvement. And the physical martial arts benefits translate well to the playing field for those who participate in other sports and activities.
“Second, you’re going to get life skills,” he said. “We emphasize things like leadership and public speaking. It’s about being as strong as possible on the inside.”
Those who practice martial arts will also learn about self-defense and personal protection.
“In martial arts, you learn about conflict — how to control it and how to stop it,” Roadruck said. “You learn about boundaries.”
Children as young as 4 or 5 can oftentimes get started in a martial arts program.
“From 5-7 and, even 9, that’s kind of the sweet spot because they are sort of a blank slate,” Roadruck said.
Parent’s take
Beyond increased strength and endurance, Tom has seen many benefits of karate in his Holy Angels seventh-grader.
“Her ability to talk in front of a crowd, to be able to stand up and present herself well, it’s been really good for her,” he said. “I’ve seen that in other kids as well.”
Time management has also been a positive.
“They teach that you have to get your stuff done,” Tom said.
That means chores and homework. Healthy eating has also become more of a focus.
Student’s take
The seven-hour black belt test was exhausting but worth it for Gabrielle who is determined to move from the conditional to black belt in December.
“I was good, you have to be great,” she said.
But beyond the belts, Gabrielle recognizes what karate has added to her life.
“I’ve made some great new friends, it’s given me confidence and taught me how to cooperate with others,” she said. “I have grown and learned a lot.”
At 5-foot-2 and just 84 pounds, Gabrielle has also surprised quite a few people when she mentions her conditional black belt status.
“It is very cool,” she said, smiling.
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