Proud Dad

[buckzip]

congrats :cheers:

also... even though I wasn't the one that asked... thanks for the info. One of my sons has Cerebral Palsy and we're thinking that when he's old enough (he's only three now) that martial arts would be great for him. He has stiffness in his right hand, arm and leg and this would be a great workout for him.

Yes, it would be a great workout. Stretching is a very big key in training, and the arts really help with flexibility. Again, it is a great confidence builder too.

 

[BuckBackHome]

My older son is interested in it because there is an older kid at his daycare that does karate. I like what I have heard about it improving a child's focus. He really need something to help him focus, especially before he hits grade school.

 

[MililaniBuckeye]

Manfred, my fiance, has his 4th degree in Kempo.

Shit, with a name like Manfred it's no wonder he had to resort to martial arts...

 

[buckzip]

My older son is interested in it because there is an older kid at his daycare that does karate. I like what I have heard about it improving a child's focus. He really need something to help him focus, especially before he hits grade school.

This will absolutely help with focus, and concentration.
Along with pride.

 

[Manfred]

I feel it mostly depends on your Sensei. Don't get one of these yelling all the time, and very abusive, strict types. You want one that is good for the kids, and makes it fun , but as they grow, he toughens up with them.

Go to a few classes, and watch with your kid. See what he thinks of the Sensei, and how things run.
Don't only go to one class to make your decision. In our Dojo, their are different things reviewed on different nights. You may go on a night where it looks great, or a night where it looks bad.

I have seen where kids will quit because they feel their Sensei is mean. .
You want them to enjoy the learning experience. Martial Arts can be very fun, and very emotional. It is great excercise, a great confidence builder, and really teaches discipline.

Kempo is very good, because it focuses on the empty hands, and feet. Punches, and kicks. There are a few take downs/sweeps, but not like Judo.
I would suggest going to a few different dojos, and deciding what style, and Sensei is best for your child.

Also, I am not sure about age limits, I think it is more of a decision you, and the Sensei make of is he/she ready.

My almost 5 year old wanted to try, but she wasn't ready. My wife wants her in dance anyways.:(
Yet there are some that aren't five yet, that are pretty good.
It is an individual thing.

Buckzip has the right idea here. There is a really easy way to see if a karate school is a good one for your child. Watch two classes and see if the children are working hard and smiling a lot. You can disregard the style of karate and should absolutely disregard the instructor's rank or martial distinctions. I would choose a warm, friendly, supportive second-degree black belt over a cold, distant sixth-degree black belt any day of the week for my child. If you see that the kids are engaged and enjoying themselves (without simply playing useless games like tug-of-war) you have found a good school.

And Buckzip, congratulations to your son! I wonder: were you more proud of your own black belt or your son's?

 

[buckzip]

Buckzip has the right idea here. There is a really easy way to see if a karate school is a good one for your child. Watch two classes and see if the children are working hard and smiling a lot. You can disregard the style of karate and should absolutely disregard the instructor's rank or martial distinctions. I would choose a warm, friendly, supportive second-degree black belt over a cold, distant sixth-degree black belt any day of the week for my child. If you see that the kids are engaged and enjoying themselves (without simply playing useless games like tug-of-war) you have found a good school.

And Buckzip, congratulations to your son! I wonder: were you more proud of your own black belt or your son's?

Thanks Manfred. I was more proud of his than my own.
It's kind of that I want more for my kids than myself kind of dad thing. I guess.