my daughter is 6 years old...?

Question

I would like to get her into some kind of self-defense classes. Would martial arts be a good idea? And what form of martial arts would be best suited for her?

Answer 1

Kung-Fu, Karate, or taekwando, tehy all teach much discipline and have much exercise involved. Choosing a martial art is very hard below i will list things that should help you determine certain martial arts.

Kung-Fu: although very flashy and great if your child is not intelligent enough to convert the martial art into a freestyle art its very hard to use and apply to real life self defense. Sure a side step round house looks good and is powerful but in a fight allows for fast studies to grab hold of the person. so a person would have to limit themselves to faster moves such as palm striking and plain old kicking. Kung-Fu teaches very good human physics and the vital point striking needed to become an advanced martial artist. It examines thigns such as join weakness's and pressure point seizures.

Karate: a very good physical standing up art. Emphasizes upper body strength and duress. Throwing is very good but if this situation doesn't call for it is bad. Very good for learning discipline and self control.

Taekwando: essentiall the same discipline style as Karate. It empasizes leg work. It is more aerobic than its cousin though and both are highly effeicient when used in self defence scenarios.

your child may not want to have to learn years of book work with tehre study if so. I would take up boxing, or kick boxing.

Boxing: great for aerobics but if your child were to run into another martial artist there leg work wouldn't be developed for years and essentially leave them weak to thinking they can handle more than they can. Its ok for fisticuffs or brawling.

Kick Boxing aerobicly and physically sound. It has both good work outs and the key to developing all the muscles needed to develop ones self. It is highlye effiecient as it shows you technique and training in order to achieve the goals in self defence.

The draw back with both boxing and kick boxing is that the schools don't teach discipline very well. and in this case should stayed away from if you don't want your children to fight openly.

Answer 2

Go and look at Tae-Kwon-Do and Karate classes.
Take her along and watch some classes. Make sure it's not just a babysitting place. Some schools will keep the kids busy, make them yell and run, but not really teach them anything. Take a look at how the schools teach the kids, look at some of the kids that have been tere a whle. How good are they, that says alot about an instructor. Kids have to be learning something and having fun at the same time.
Don't sign up for a years contract. If they don't let you go from month to month, or at least quarter to quarter, then walk out. It should be between $50 and $80 a month. Anything else is just robbery.
What form is best suited for her? Thats for you and her to decide. Most places will give her a free class to see if she likes it. It has to be something interesting to her or she'll drop it.
Go visit some schools and have fun!

Answer 3

I'm with dogpreacher on this one. The instructor is the important part. We can say art X is the best but if art X is taught by a bad teacher then that isn't good. Go to the various schools around. Don't exclude boxing, kick-boxing and such. Watch the students with your daughter. Talk to the instructors after the class. How long have they taught, what do they teach, do they warm up before doing hard exercises, do they do a cool do, do they give "homework", how many days a week, etc. etc. Later, I'll see if I can find any links to assist in making the decision
Best of luck...

Answer 4

Find a school that is good with children. If she likes it give her a couple of years there to get used to the idea of training. As she matures re-evaluate the school and check other options. Once she is very serious about training, find a school for a serious martial training.

They key is to make it a positive experience in the beginning so the child enjoys it. If this doesn't happen the child will never care to advance.

Answer 5

6 is a perfect age for joining a Martial Arts school. As to which form, at that age it depends more on the teacher than the style. Find one who is going to be patient and understanding.

Answer 6

As spidertiger said, finding a childrens class that works well is a number one priority, and revaluating the classes ability to accomodate her growth in the discipline, and keep it interesting for her to want to continue, and after she's progressed to 13 (some schools will allow a child who has reached 13 to participate in an adult class.) you can enter her into the adult class if the school has one or transfer her to a school that will allow her to continue in an adult class.

also you may want to see the pediatrician to make sure that she can participate in martial arts, as this will help to let your pediatrician know that your daughter's going to be performing some kind of strenuous activity.

Also as another contributer added Karate and Tae Kwon Do, are usually good starter disciplines to choose from.

good luck and I hope she stays with it.

Answer 7

Steelmadison gave a great answer.

The style is not near as important as the instructor. You need to pick a school where the instructor likes children and focuses on them. If you have several options, ask the instructor if he allows you to take a free trial class (Most Do). Then pick the one you like best.

One other thing to look for is an instructor that teaches mental self defense like stranger danger.

Answer 8

My daughter is 5 and she takes taekwondo
Some kind of martial arts are good for everyone any age

Answer 9

I would recommend a form of karate. But make sure they have classes appropriate for her age group. The studio I practice in, a shaolin kempo(karate) form has classes for peewees, 5-6 year olds. It allows them to learn the basics, as well as self defense, but in addition work with children their own size.

I'm also an assistant instructor who does work with children in ths studio.

Answer 10

im a training ins in martial arts, she needs to do routine excercise first, jogging for aprox 2 miles per day then 3 miles, then 4.... for around 4 weeeks, then sheill learn faster in martial arts.