by: Graham Johns
Practicing the martial arts provides distinct
advantages for older children and adults. Did you
know that toddler-age children could also greatly
benefit from the martial arts as well? Karate and
Tae Kwan Do not only provide toddlers with exciting
experiences with other children, but these arts also
encourage motor skill coordination, concentration,
and self-confidence. Add these skills with a touch
of ancient Eastern wisdom, and your toddler will be
learning life lessons that will serve him well in
the years to come. (Note: although the pronouns
"him" and "his" are used here, the martial arts are
just as effective for girls!)
Between the ages of two and five, your toddler is
growing in mind, body and spirit. These ages are
distinctly important, as they set the tone for your
toddler's life pattern of behavior. Childhood
development experts recommend that toddlers
participate in physical and mental activities to
encourage personality growth, physical maturity, and
socialization with others. The martial arts
effectively provide these experiences in a variety
of ways.
While your toddler is growing, his muscles and bones
must develop strength and agility. Physical
development occurs only when a toddler receives
adequate exercise that including stretching, bending
and muscle-building movements.
Have you noticed how clumsy toddlers can be?
Although they have mastered the fine art of walking,
they seem to trip over many things, including their
own two feet! The martial arts excel at teaching
your toddler motor skill coordination, precision
movements that increase hand-eye coordination and
foot/leg movements that help him learn balance and
move him past the toddler "wobbles."
How long is your toddler's attention span? How about
his ability to focus on tasks until they're
completed? Is he able to memorize and retain
information at a rate appropriate for his age? The
martial arts require toddlers to concentrate and pay
close attention to the instructions of the sensei
(teacher); to be successful in the martial arts and
in their lives, toddlers must learn to listen and
thoroughly absorb the lessons. Your toddler will
also learn to focus and follow through on tasks;
dawdling and impulsivity aren't allowed! The sensei
will re-direct your child's focus to mastering the
task at hand; movements that can only be learned by
strict focus. Your toddler will be required to
memorize the order and types of movements,
performing them flawlessly when prompted by the
sensei. Thus, when he begins school, your toddler
will have a distinct edge in learning language and
abstract arithmetic skills.
Toddlers want everything they want whenever they
want it. We know that the world doesn't work this
way; we must earn what we receive, and have the
patience to work our way towards a goal. In the
martial arts, toddlers learn that instant
gratification isn't realistic and self discipline
exists. Each set of movements must be learned in
sequence rather than in a haphazard manner. Your
toddler will learn respect for authority by showing
respect for his sensei in all things.
Your toddler will learn that unprovoked aggression
is never appropriate. The martial arts are defensive
in nature; your toddler will learn that amicably
getting along with others results from the self
confidence of knowing that he isn't going to be
harmed by schoolyard bullies. As he bows to his
opponent, your toddler learns to show respect to
others, increasing his own confidence. His mastery
of the martial arts also teaches him that he can
succeed in life tasks, thus building a confident,
intrepid adult.
Your toddler's sensei will expose him to the
enduring wisdom of Eastern philosophy and the
ancient world. These are the concepts of avoiding
foolish and self-destructive behavior, service to
others, tolerance for differences, patience, loyalty
and caution.
Finding a martial arts program for your toddler
isn't difficult; most local dojos (schools) can
provide you with information about toddlers'
programs. After only a few months in a martial arts
program for toddlers, your child will gain
invaluable skills!
About the Author
Graham Johns writes regularly for toddler and young children sites