O QUE AS ARTES MARCIAIS PODEM DESENVOLVER NO MEU FILHO? At Flowartes we are proud and lucky to watch kids grow up over the years in the studio and we wanted to highlight some areas in which we’ve observed in all the youth who have come through.
MOTOR COORDINATION
Through kicking, striking, jumping, and directional changes involved in martial arts, kids develop a keener sense of motor control, cognition, balance, and proprioception from a young age.
FOCUS
Learning movements and techniques takes practice, repetition, and perseverance. Young people learn to channel their energy and direct their attention to the present moment, towards acquiring new skills; this boosts their ability to follow through with an action or routine.
SELF-ESTEEM & CONFIDENCE
Competence breeds confidence. As your child progresses and achieves new techniques, this affirms their capabilities and potential to grow. Martial arts practice emphasizes personal development and celebrates achievement at your own pace. Affording your child the space and time to develop their identity in an embodied way brings about a sense of autonomy and trust in themselves.
In addition, when a child realizes that achieving one’s martial arts goals depends on their own commitment and effort, it promotes self-reliance and independence.
STRENGTH & FITNESS
By attending martial arts practice regularly, kids will build their endurance, power, reflexes, agility, flexibility, mobility, and strength. In our increasingly digitized way of living, it can be easy to forget that physical activity is essential for children. The practice of martial arts from an early age encourages an active lifestyle and the discipline to maintain their abilities.
STRUCTURE
Through a task-oriented training structure and shared code of conduct, martial arts practice helps to establish models of consistency and ways of navigating the world.
Part of martial arts practice is focusing on a goal, systematically breaking it down into smaller parts, and taking steps to reach that goal. This transfers over into real-world goal setting and perseverance: the more you see your efforts pay off, the more likely they will persevere through hardship or delay gratification in different contexts.
STREET & SOCIAL AWARENESS
The practical applications of martial arts inherently require kids (and adults!) to pay attention to their surrounding environment and social context. In interacting with others and learning about real-life situations, this can help kids discern between safety and danger. At the same time, it’s not just about fight or flight: they learn how to resolve conflicts, be emotionally intelligent, make new friends, and show compassion.
Are there other benefits you might add to the list? How else have you seen martial arts impact kids?