7 LESSONS KIDS LEARN FROM MARTIAL ARTS
In film and TV, martial arts are too often depicted as gory,
violent, and inherently aggressive – something that is simply not true.
Unfortunately, this perceived image leads some parents to shy away from
enrolling their children in martial arts. Although martial arts do contain a
physical component, they also emphasize values more than many other sports and
activities.
If you’re trying to convince a friend, peer or other
acquaintance to allow their child to sign up for martial arts, or if you’re a
parent weighing the merits of martial arts for your child, here are a few of
the values that you should know about, that martial arts teaches.
1.
Courage
In Korean, one of the many languages and cultures connected
to martial arts, courage is expressed as Yong Gi (용기).
The first character, yong, is enough in itself to denote the quality of
bravery. The second character, gi, is the same that represents the energy of
focus martial artists channel when they strike. Thus, the ‘courage’ definition
that youth learn in martial arts is one which encompasses a certain spirit of
bravery. It is not simply acting without fear, but is channeling an internal
energy to act in spite of fear. Courage is a transferable skill, a moral value that
allows students to set goals, overcome challenges, and meet success in the dojo
and in everyday life.
2.
Respect
Respect is one of the main values taught in martial arts,
where it is often shown with a bow.
One of the other key martial arts values is respect.
Children are taught to respect the masters who came before them, their
instructors, their peers, and themselves. Quality martial arts instructors
focus on this value consistently, encouraging students to carry it with them
beyond the studio. Self-respect and respect those both above and below them in
status are essential character qualities that stick with kids throughout their
lives.
3.
Leadership
Leadership is a value, a personal quality, and a fundamental
skill. Some young people have inherent leadership qualities, while others
develop them with proper mentorship and growth opportunities. Martial arts is a
sport which encourages and stimulates young leaders with chances to help
lower-level students reach their goals. With these skills, children can be
empowered to take positive decisions and act as role models within their
school, family, and community.
4.
Discipline
Working together to execute a synchronized kata, or form,
takes teamwork and discipline, both fundamental martial arts values.
Discipline can be one of the most important martial arts
values that transfers into other aspects of a child’s life. It goes beyond
respect for authority who use correctional leadership and punishment, but
rather focuses on self-discipline practices. In martial arts, the definition of
‘discipline’ doesn’t mean punishment, but the ability to control one’s emotions
and short-term desires while productively working towards more meaningful
long-term goals. In the dojo, this is instilled through the use uniforms,
repeated practice of techniques, and use of respect-oriented customs which lead
to greater focus and concentration.
5. Confidence
Martial arts teaches children to be confident in themselves.
When students work towards their goals and see themselves
succeed, they begin to feel empowered with self-confidence. In this way,
martial arts teaches children that hard work and focus can help them accomplish
what they set out to do. Kids learn how to work with their own strengths and
weaknesses and believe in their own abilities. They grow with self-assurance, a
quality which makes them more confident in other aspects of life.
Martial arts also teach children the correct way to fail.
Their coaches will warn them that they may not always win when they participate
in tournaments or matches, and, on a smaller scale, they may have days where
they struggle in class or find it difficult to learn a new move. Instead of
getting discouraged, kids in martial arts learn to view failure as a learning
experience. These kids will have the confidence to try more new things when
they don’t see failure as something to fear.
6. Focus
In order to become skilled in martial arts, you must focus
on your goals.
The mental and physical challenges of martial arts require
attentive focus from students. This is important for correctly learning a
technique with diligent practice and for channeling one’s energy and strength.
Like other martial arts values, focus is one that is needed for success beyond
the dojo as well. When kids learn this skill in their martial arts class, they
can begin to apply it to homework, chores, and other personal goal-setting as
they move into adulthood.
7.
Physical Fitness
Martial arts is fun, healthy exercise for kids!
Like other sports, martial arts keeps students physically
fit. They also learn to value the quality of being fit, as it becomes necessary
for reaching their goals and maintaining the other moral values imparted within
the dojo. Various martial arts can include cardio workouts, strength training,
relaxation skills, and flexibility. Healthy bodies also tend to have positive
impacts on other aspects of life, such as increased energy levels throughout
the day, effective concentration, and positive endorphins for good moods and
healthy social interactions.
These crucial values and skills will impact a child far
beyond the dojo. While self-defense skills are one of the more tangible
outcomes of martial arts practice, positive morals contribute to lifelong
character-building and development of soft skills for success.
If you’re a martial arts instructor and teach classes to
children, make sure that you bring up these values when talking with parents of
new or potential students. Actively promote them in your school, and both you
and your students will reap the benefits.
-taken from Century
Martial arts blog
