Training Children in Martial Arts

An Appreciation of Martial Arts and Guide for Parents

Sep 18, 2009

Martial Art or kungfu is a form of self defense technique.

Some forms have become competitive sports with local and world Federations established to regulate each art. The 1964 (Tokyo) and 2000 (Sydney) Olympics saw the official inclusion of Judo and Taekwondo as medal events.

Martial Art Training

Martial art training is generally suitable for children of all ages. A good age for children to learn the basics is between five to seven years. According to child development experts, just about every five and six year old child is able to throw, jump, skip and hop. Muscular strength, balance and stamina also increase during this stage of growth and development.

When practiced for self defense or to enhance physical fitness, martial art is a good sport. Improving one's alertness, coordination, building self confidence and discipline are the other attributes.

If it is practiced to intimidate or beat up others, or use in a socially unacceptable way, then it would be a cause for concern for parents. Used in the wrong way, martial art could maim another individual or even kill. One may also sustain self injury through improper training.

Most martial art schools generally promote their art as a good form of exercise for strengthening the body as well as for self defense. Others may go straight to teaching the techniques like any other commercial enterprise selling its product.

Hence it is important for parents to know why their child needs to or wants to learn a martial art, to understand the philosophy of the founder or values of the art and to reinforce in children the need to exercise restraint in a confrontational situation with people.

Learning and Progression

There are broadly two forms of techniques in martial arts - hard style and soft style. Karate, Taekwondo and Muay Thai (Thai Boxing) are examples of the hard style form and Taichiquan, Aikido, Judo and Qi Gong are the soft style types. The former uses hard force and external strength in its technique whereas the latter uses internal strength or the aggressor's force as a defensive counter attack strategy.

Deciding which martial art to take up is a matter of preference and choice. Some would view the progression from learning a hard technique to a soft style as natural.

Children with their shorter attention span, and young adults who want to see quick tangible results would find the hard style more interesting, easier to follow and rewarding. The aggressive aspects build stamina, demonstrate physical prowess and also enhance self esteem when the child passes each subsequent higher grade test.

Learning how to use a weapon, be it the broadsword, staff or spear is an extension of martial arts training. As the child grows older, weapon training could further develop his or her reflexes and maneuverability.

Trained bare hands and legs may not be a match when one is confronted by an individual armed with an iron rod. Grabbing what is available and applying the knowledge learned from weapon training, may increase the chances of survival in an attack.

As the martial art enthusiast reaches middle adulthood, the skill and fitness level could be maintained or further improved through regular training. However, in late adulthood, one may not have the advantage of physical strength as compared to a younger exponent. To continue with the martial art career, a switch to learning a soft style form at some point would be more beneficial to the individual in terms of self defense needs and keeping the mind and body fit.

To quote from Morihei Ueshiba, the founder of Aikido, "As you grow older, your muscles weaken, and you can no longer lift and pull. In the end, there's a limit to physical strength, no matter how you build it up. Unlimited strength comes from breadth power." One of Aikido's techniques is to respond by taking the opponent's power into oneself.

In Taichiquan, while the practice routine is in slow motion form, its emphasis is on the use of internal strength or qi to drive the striking movements. Breathing technique, harmonizing the qi flow in the body to the final delivery of the strike is not as easy to master as one would think.

Life Long Process in Learning Martial Art

Practicing martial arts is a life long process if one wants to attain a certain level of proficiency. In short, it is a good sport when one is young and a good form of exercise when one reaches old age.

A person who learns martial art is less likely to get into fights unless cornered. Parents could complement trainers by teaching responsible and caring behaviors to children learning martial arts. By doing so, parents are putting the kids on the right path as they begin their journey to the world of martial arts.

Brian Kennedy and Elizabeth Guo. Chinese Martial Arts Training Manuals, A Historical Survey. North Atlantic Books, 2005

Gozo Shioda. Total Aikido, The Master Course. Kodansha International Ltd, 1996

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