martial arts are a great way to teach a kid discipline, self control, and self defense. For a really young kid you would want to find an art more focused on discipline.
I started Tae Kwon Do when I was 6. Stopped going when I was around 11. To this day, stopping TKD is one of my biggest regrets. Not only because my fitness is awful now, but I'd have more than likely ended up going into BJJ or MMA training, as a few of my TKD training partners did.
I started Shodokan karate when I was 5 or 6. Stopped when I got to 9 or 10 to focus on other sports.
I would recommend a form of martial arts for kids, it does instill discipline as well as proper stretching technique and generally just keeps them active.
No kids for me at the moment, but few of my friends are parents.
Few buddies have there kids in various Karate classes, and another has his son in TKD, and next year, will be in BJJ.
Honestly, as long as it is in a controlled manner (IE: A legit school), I can't see any issues with kids in Martial Arts programs.
I don't have kids, but I was in Shotokan from age 10-16 or so. I enjoyed it. I also honestly think that it's one of the reasons why, even when I was out of shape, I was still pretty athletic, mainly due to all the stretching and flexibility exercises we did. I didn't think much of it then, but from what I've learned over the years, I have a lot of respect for the dojo I went to and the instructors. In the class I was in, under 16, there was not a single black belt. I only reached second-level purple belt in 5 1/2 years. And tournaments didn't give out "participation awards" or any of that crap. If you didn't finish in the top 3 of whatever you were participating in, you didn't get an award. Too many kids now don't get the humbling experience that builds good character.
:mrgreen: Everyone's a winner! :mrgreen:
My son does Judo. Has for 4 years now. 1 of two martial arts that is also an Olympic sport. TKD being an Olympic Sport is ridiculous. Anywho, nothing better than seeing a great judo throw by a kid.
I had my daughter in TKD at 6, and while i was taking Judo lessons we had a few kids like 10. Our instructor wouldnt let kids younger then 10 take Judo.
My daughter is 6 and does Karate and Judo.
I think placing your child into a Martial Art(s) at an early age is a great way to help children learn discipline, self-defense and builds their confidence.
We placed our daughter into Martial Arts to help with her confidence mainly, as she is very shy and rather an 'easy target' for bullying at school.
My son is loving every minute of it. Into his second season now. He is doing Karate and Muay Thai, kind of creating his "own" style along the way.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jlu6dIPkrBU&list=PLB5617030903FBDD9&index=1&feature=plpp_video[/youtube]
