Choosing the right martial arts school for your child can be a rewarding experience for you and your child. Several factors will naturally come into play when making this choice. First off location may be the most obvious. If your locality has more than one school of martial arts then you have more choice. These days its seems that martial arts schools are appearing like mushrooms! Very few parents would have an in depth knowledge of what each school advocated. Of course we all recognize terms such as Karate, Kung Fu, Judo,Kickboxing etc, however of late we hear terms such as Mixed Martial Arts ( MMA) , Krav Maga,Muay Thai and Real Self Defence.
So which is best ? More especially which is best for your child?
Well it depends on what your child might aspire to or indeed what you may wish your child to aspire to.
Is your child very competitive Does he or she like the idea of competition? Or is your child more interested in meditation and history? Do you think your child would enjoy learning how to defend him/herself ?
Each martial art has its own unique characteristics and benefits.
Some contain many different facets. Others are solely focused on one element while others offer a bit of everything
For example Karate can be broadly split into traditional or modern. The traditional systems such as Shotokan, Wado Ryu or Taekwondo ( a Korean system) are taught in a very disciplined manner and place great emphasis on good manners and etiquette Training is normally taken quite seriously and students are encouraged to be very respectful in class.
Modern Karate systems ( in fact based on older traditional methods) have updated their teaching methods and terminology to suit the western student. While good manners and etiquette are also encouraged the class has a more relaxed feeling. Many updates are also evident in these systems particularly in relation to self defence. Kenpo Karate and American Kenpo would be good example of these systems.
Then we have the sports based systems. In fact some people do not even consider these methods to be martial arts and refer to these as martial sports. These methods encourage a vibrant competition scene and encourage sparring , light and full contact. There is little self defence taught and students are trained to be physically fit competitors Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts would fall into this category
Of late many systems that are not in fact martial arts as such have surfaced, These are in the main the creations of individuals who may or may not have had classical or traditional training and who may be ex boxers, kick boxers or karate ka and who have developed what they feel to be effective street self defence methods. These systems do not always follow the age old martial arts tenants of etiquette and traditions There si a wide variety of standards in this area and little regulating of these methods.
My best advice is for you to visit the schools of martial arts which are in your area, Speak with the instructor. He or she should be happy to speak with you and fully answer all your questions. Ask about the instructors past training. Check this out. Don't be afraid to ask for references. Not just from the various governing bodies that the club is affiliated to but also from parents whose children attend the school. Check out the schools insurance policy. Are they insured. Any qualified instructor should have insurance and not just public liability insurance but a policy from a dedicated martial arts insurance broker or company.What is the school's child protection policy? Are they adhering to the Sports Councils guidelines? Are instructors Garda vetted? Who is the club/school/association child safety officer, could you have their number if required. You may want to ask for a professional reference. Remember you are going to place your child in an environment with this individual for an hour , two hours or even more each week. This individual will have perhaps, a profound effect on your child's development.
Don't be afraid to check out the instructors Facebook page. An experienced, mindful instructor will not have inappropriate photo's of him/herself on a social network site. Look at the recent posts. Are they peppered with swear words and inappropriate comments? In my opinion when an instructor is teaching impressionable children or teenagers then there is a duty on that teacher to act in an appropriate manner.
Finally discuss the cost of lessons. This should be made clear from the start. Don't judge every school by the same criteria when it comes to prices. As in everything else you generally get what you pay for. The school should be happy to allow your child to take a few classes to see if they are happy with the school.
If I can be of any help to you in find the right school for your child please feel free to call me on 089 456 75 33. Visit our website Martial Arts for Life
So which is best ? More especially which is best for your child?
Well it depends on what your child might aspire to or indeed what you may wish your child to aspire to.
Is your child very competitive Does he or she like the idea of competition? Or is your child more interested in meditation and history? Do you think your child would enjoy learning how to defend him/herself ?
Each martial art has its own unique characteristics and benefits.
Some contain many different facets. Others are solely focused on one element while others offer a bit of everything
For example Karate can be broadly split into traditional or modern. The traditional systems such as Shotokan, Wado Ryu or Taekwondo ( a Korean system) are taught in a very disciplined manner and place great emphasis on good manners and etiquette Training is normally taken quite seriously and students are encouraged to be very respectful in class.
Modern Karate systems ( in fact based on older traditional methods) have updated their teaching methods and terminology to suit the western student. While good manners and etiquette are also encouraged the class has a more relaxed feeling. Many updates are also evident in these systems particularly in relation to self defence. Kenpo Karate and American Kenpo would be good example of these systems.
Then we have the sports based systems. In fact some people do not even consider these methods to be martial arts and refer to these as martial sports. These methods encourage a vibrant competition scene and encourage sparring , light and full contact. There is little self defence taught and students are trained to be physically fit competitors Kickboxing and Mixed Martial Arts would fall into this category
Of late many systems that are not in fact martial arts as such have surfaced, These are in the main the creations of individuals who may or may not have had classical or traditional training and who may be ex boxers, kick boxers or karate ka and who have developed what they feel to be effective street self defence methods. These systems do not always follow the age old martial arts tenants of etiquette and traditions There si a wide variety of standards in this area and little regulating of these methods.
My best advice is for you to visit the schools of martial arts which are in your area, Speak with the instructor. He or she should be happy to speak with you and fully answer all your questions. Ask about the instructors past training. Check this out. Don't be afraid to ask for references. Not just from the various governing bodies that the club is affiliated to but also from parents whose children attend the school. Check out the schools insurance policy. Are they insured. Any qualified instructor should have insurance and not just public liability insurance but a policy from a dedicated martial arts insurance broker or company.What is the school's child protection policy? Are they adhering to the Sports Councils guidelines? Are instructors Garda vetted? Who is the club/school/association child safety officer, could you have their number if required. You may want to ask for a professional reference. Remember you are going to place your child in an environment with this individual for an hour , two hours or even more each week. This individual will have perhaps, a profound effect on your child's development.
Don't be afraid to check out the instructors Facebook page. An experienced, mindful instructor will not have inappropriate photo's of him/herself on a social network site. Look at the recent posts. Are they peppered with swear words and inappropriate comments? In my opinion when an instructor is teaching impressionable children or teenagers then there is a duty on that teacher to act in an appropriate manner.
Finally discuss the cost of lessons. This should be made clear from the start. Don't judge every school by the same criteria when it comes to prices. As in everything else you generally get what you pay for. The school should be happy to allow your child to take a few classes to see if they are happy with the school.
If I can be of any help to you in find the right school for your child please feel free to call me on 089 456 75 33. Visit our website Martial Arts for Life
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