How To Choose a Martial Art For Your Child
Choosing a school to start your child's Martial Arts journey can be a daunting task, but the good news is that it doesn't have to be! It's refreshing to know however that there are many different styles to research and available for kids. When I was a child and even as a young adult, I was only really aware of schools that taught Karate and Tae Kwon Do. Growing up I was a big fan of Bruce Lee and knew about Jeet Kune Do, but never really knew of places that taught it San Diego. I still meet a lot of parents today that don't realize there's so many types of Martial Arts that their kids can get involved. I'm going to break down a few different style and give some tips of how to ultimately choose a place for your child to train:
Tae Kwon Do: Korean; involves punches, kicks, forms (katas), some weapons involved
Karate: Japanese; involves punches, kicks, forms (katas), some weapons involved
Judo: Japanese; involved takedowns, some ground work and submissions
Capoeira: Brazilian; involves, dance, gymnastics, acrobatics,
Jiu Jitsu: Brazilian; adapted from Japanese style similar to Judo, focuses on ground fighting, escapes, submissions
As you can see, this is just a small list but it's nice to be able to have a bit more options for your family. Once you start researching schools in your area, some of the following will be important factors to consider:
Instructors: To me, this is usually the most important. Find instructors that are great with kids, and that can teach your child well. It's also crucial to find an instructor that loves their Martial Art and isn't solely teaching kids for the money. Sadly, I see this quite often. As a school owner I understand students are customers, but at the end of the day Martial Arts is a lifelong journey, and you want to choose an instructor who sees your child as a life investment and not just another source of income. It's also important to research the instructor's credentials. Keep in mind that Martial Arts schools as a whole does not have a governing body to regulate instructors. While it's impressive that the instructor may have a "4th Degree Black Belt in ________" on paper, it's important to know that ranks can also be purchased through associations. I have found that the best instructors will have more emphasis on telling you the time they have been training over the color/degree of their belt.
Schedule: Depending on your family's daily schedule, this is also usually a big factor when choosing a school. Many schools will have early evening classes during the weekdays like 4PM which is great if mom and dad have a flexible schedule or don't have a 9-5 job. My school usually has classes at 5PM and 6PM and while this may be late for some families, it works out for those parents who may not get off work in time to take their kids to class. Many schools have early morning classes on Saturdays which is also great. Typically most children will attend classes 2-3 times a week.
.Cost: I'm going to be honest and tell you now that Martial Arts can definitely be a financial investment and that it doesn't always come cheap. Usually start-up costs come with a one-time purchase of their uniform (until they outgrow it) and their first monthly dues. I've seen Membership Dues anywhere from $25-$150 a month, and this usually ties in to how many times a week classes are held, if the school operates inside a rec center or other building or if they lease their own space. My recommendation is that although price may be a big factor for your family, in many cases you really get what you pay for. Also keep in mind that although some schools may have low up front costs, that you may get hit with added costs down the road. Many instructors charge for Belt Promotions, which is a whole separate issue (I may have to do a whole blog post on this). You can also ask if the schools offers Family and Military Discounts. If you are truly in a financial bind and really love a certain school, there's also a small chance they might be able to barter with your own time (such as school maintenance, marketing, etc). Most Martial Arts schools are small operations with a limited budget and staff, so it never hurts to ask!
Lastly, my best advice is to ask around. Ask family members and friends to refer you to a school and it's even better to join a school where you already know people. Kids are often intimidated when they are the "new kid" and as parents, it's the same way to be the "new parents." You are also more likely to stay involved at a school where you already have friends participating, which also helps you and your family stay committed. I would love to hear other helpful tips you may have about choosing a Martial Arts school for your child, or if you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the Comments section below!
