What I Learned About Building a Child’s Confidence with Karate

It all started with finding a Karate School near me

Wait, there’s a way to do this, you ask? Yes, and it starts by finding a Karate school near you.

Let’s face it, it’s a different world from back when many of us grew up. Don’t get me wrong, kids were mean and cruel and the list of “yo mama” jokes were endless. But the reality is, you didn’t find so many kids being mean and bullying just for the hell of it. Today, it seems that more and more kids are forced to deal with the fallout of being teased, bombarded with the idea of gun safety, being the butt a of mean joke or simply picked on at random. Unfortunately, constant exposure to these types of interactions tends to wear on a child’s self-confidence and self-esteem. While there is no sure-fire way to combat all the fall-out of being the subject of cruel children, I’ve found that Karate helps and here’s how:

Builds Self-confidence

Think about it for a second, If you knew you could potentially handle a bully if it came to that, wouldn’t you be, feel and act more sure of yourself on a day-to-day basis? It’s something about knowing you are able to protect your self that boosts your self-confidence through the roof. And we can’t forget that feeling you get when you you’ve just won your first tournament or nailed your promotion. There’s nothing like being awarded for a job well-done to boost a kid’s confidence.

Reinforces Discipline/Self-control

If you’ve ever trained in any type of martial arts, you’ll know that there is a great deal of discipline that is expected when learning the art form. It’s not just to test endurance nor is it try and “break” a student. This discipline is to help not only strengthen your body, but also your child’s mind. It helps to reinforce the idea that every action does not deserve or warrant a reaction. It teaches you to know when to walk away and to know that you aren’t a loser because you chose to do so.

Encourages Respect

Ever wonder why there is so much bowing going on in a karate class? You bow when you enter the dojo (karate school) you bow when you leave, you bow to your instructors and opponents, just to name a few. This is a sign of respect. This teaches you to respect the things and people around you and in turn yourself. It’s a simple concept with huge implications. All of which are very apparent to even the youngest students.

Creates a Fun Learning Environment

Believe it or not learning Karate is fun. I’ve taken it since I was about 5 and to this day I am still in contact with my Sensei (teacher) and many of the students I trained with. On any given day we laugh and share funny stories from our days in the dojo.

It is because of these long lasting memories that I was determined to find a dojo home for my kids to study Karate once I moved to Florida. After some research for dojos in my area we decided on Shinsei Martial Arts. In addition to Karate classes, this program offers before & after care and summer camp. Now how’s that for creating a fun learning environment? Currently my 8 year old is in the program and my 4 year old is eager to join this summer.

If you are in Florida in the Saint Johns County area I highly recommend Shinsei Martial arts. You can learn more about their two locations and what they offer on their website: www.shinseikarate.org.

If you aren’t in FL and are looking for a great Karate school, try Googling, “Karate schools near me” or “Karate schools in [insert location here]”. Whatever you decide, just be sure you that you take time to check the place out before you make a decision. You want to make sure you aren’t going to a large chain that focuses on advancement more so than your child’s mastery. You’ll thank me later.

Know of a great Karate school in your area or have a great karate story? Be sure to share in the comments.