An after-school program that your child’s school offers is beneficial in certain ways, but martial arts for kids teaches incredible life lessons and success skills 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 East Mesa 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 focus and concentration. 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 can be genetic for kids with attention issues.
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 we use 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. Once they’re able to get the moves down, our instructors use positive reinforcement to continually praise them for paying attention. Soon, the students understand the connection between receiving positive feedback and staying focused, and they focus better all on their own. This ultimately helps them achieve better grades and become more confident, which you’ll read about in Reasons 2 and 3.
Reason 2: Better Grades are Possible with Martial Arts for Kids
A lot of parents have no idea that an after-school program can help their children get better grades. How, you may ask? Here’s the breakdown. Through a combination of consistent practice and fun games and activities, we teach them how to improve their focus and attention skills. With this improved focus, our students 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 concentrate on the tasks at hand.
Better focus leads to better listening, so they’re retaining the information better than ever before, and completing their assignments with a higher quality of concentration. And, because the information is sticking better, they’re able to recall better on tests and quizzes, they’re scoring higher because of this heightened recall and voila, better grades! It is that simple and it does work!
Reason 3: Martial Arts is an After-School Program that Builds Confidence
Every parent wants their child to be confident in themselves. But sometimes, a group after-school activity can lead to kids comparing themselves to others. If your child isn’t especially athletic or they’re particularly shy, it may be difficult to find an after-school program where they don’t have to worry about “letting the team down” or being self-conscious in front of others.
What’s great about martial arts is that it’s an individual sport in a group setting, so our kids stay focused on their progress and their growth. 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 continually see how awesome it feels to set and get goals, and they can understand the discipline and perseverance it takes to become successful. Those are skills they’ll take with them for the rest of their lives.
Additionally, your child can learn to support their fellow students and be a cheerleader for another person’s accomplishments. This is one of the best things about teaching martial arts to kids, seeing the way that our kids become friends and cheer each other on. For those who have low self-esteem or just feel down about themselves, getting that support from both their instructors and their peers is a gratifying and even life-changing experience.
Reason 4: Our Martial Arts Instructors are Positive Role Models
Most after-school programs are about a result, the show in Drama Club, the games in sports. This is where martial arts after-school program is the most different from other programs. 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 kids then start to see their instructors as positive role models and our instructors are more than happy to fill the role! They have dedicated their lives and careers to bonding with the kids and encouraging them through positive reinforcement, positive self-talk, and a focus on progress, not perfection.
One of the greatest life lessons martial arts teaches us is that every black belt was once a beginner so every instructor teaches with integrity. They know what it’s like to be frustrated or upset, but they also know how valuable it is to keep going! We always show our students how to get back up and keep going no matter what. How to stay humble no matter how far they progress. That sense of respect and discipline is not something you see in other after-school programs.
Reason 5: It’s Just Fun!
The fifth reason is that the Karate after-school program is just plain fun! Our awesome instructors make each lesson fun and engaging. Our classes are all about 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.
Games and activities not only help the kids stay engaged with our lessons, but they 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 realize they’re getting the benefits of after-school program, they’re too busy having a blast! Try out our kids Krav Maga classes in East Mesa to see the difference!