What age is a good age for a child to being martial arts study?

Question

Many karate schools start at 6, while others 12, and still others only teach adults. What is too young? At what age will kids receive any benefit from martial arts study? At what age will the senseis feel comfortable enough to teach good combat technique?

Answer 1

I think it depends on what the style is.

for the child, I woud think it is much healthier for them to train in a grappling art at a much earlier age than a striking one.

the reason for this is that when kids play around, they wrestle with each other, they don't square off in a boxing stance and start throwing hooks and jabs.

from a maturity level, learning to strike someone requres a much higher level of mental maturity to hit and get hit than does initial grappling instruction.

also you can more safely teach grappling than striking to children like this. thier bodies are smaller and closer to the ground, they can fall on thier butt and not be as hurt as if you were tossed and fell 4 feet (your head anyway).

Answer 2

I really dig your ?'s.... things I have pondered a few years ago... anyway.... someday I hope to have a school, and honestly I would do it for free because I really enjoy martial arts and I enjoy teaching other people..... and since I would not be in it for the money.. the "soccer moms would need to take 5 yo "jimmy" to the dojo or dojang down the street.... I would take kids as young as 12, but only teach them a "point based" curriculum style (I'm TKD guy)... but for the 18+ (or a BB, which starting at 12 would probably be around 17) I would have a "full contact" training more based on hit and get hit (pain is a excellent teacher).... It's really "cute" to see a 5 yo in a gi or do-bak but I think there are many more productive activities for kids in that age group (really why teach a kid to defend themself?, other then yell and scream if a strange adult grabs them... if that doesnt work, bite until your teeth touch) if a parent cant give proper values to their children without a MA school they are failing as parents.... I better stop I will write a novel...

Answer 3

It depends on the Sensei. Martial Arts training can begin very early if the Sensei makes the training age specific. You don't teach baseball to 5 year olds the way you do to 10 year olds. The theories of developmental psychology should be applied.

If you look at some great fighters Gracie, Oscar De La Hoya and Dan Henderson to name a few you see a very young start age. It helps the children if they learn earlier but learn age appropriately.

Answer 4

At the school where I train, they start them as young as 4 yoears old. It really depends on the child.

Martial arts training helps children with general physical fitness and socialization. It is true that the younger children often have a problem with a limited attention span, but a good teacher can work with that. The owner of the school where I train feels that the training he gives young children helps them to develop the discipline and focus that will help them academically when they begin school.

As far as teaching good combat technique, that will vary with each student. I believe they may actually start sparring at about age 6 for the "Tiny Dragons" class. The owner of the school is careful to assess the child both physically and socially before getting into actual combat technique.

Answer 5

I would have to say that 6 years old would be a good age too start Martial Arts. In Thailand the kids there could start Fighting in the ring at around 10 years old, so with that in mind just puting your Child into a class at 6 would be just fine because I feel thats a good age for them to get the "way" of martial arts in there head at a young age, so when they are older they understand the Art. Teachers in schools should be willing to teach kids there art our children are our furture and when you give them an understanding young they will respect the Art, people, Life when they get older. I know when i have a kid, i will teach him / her at around 6-7 years old. As for the Art i would put them in Muay Thai Kickboxing with a teacher who has been trained from someone from Thailand or has Trained in Thailand. Muay Thai teaches GREAT combat techniques, respect, Honor. I hope I have give'in you an answer you where looking for, have a good day

Answer 6

Much depends on the child, and on the school.

Martial arts training is an outstanding thing for everyone, but especially for younger, teenage, and adolencent youths as it helps to reinforce their self-esteem, self-confidence, independence, and compassion for others while also teaching them some valuable technical and social skills.

If the school is set up to have a pee wee or similar class - anywhere from 3 to 6 years old - then those classes will only really work on socialization and play skills. The children are not developmentally advanced enough to really understand concepts or abstract thinking .

As they get a little older - anywhere from 6 to 10 years old - they will have the ability to realize true benefit from the technique, concept, philosophy, and socialization side of training. And obviously as they grow older, the benefits continue and expand as their own social skills, knowledge, and community awareness grows.

Much will depend on the schools ability to have qualified instructors to teach very young kids effectively and safely. It takes a GREAT DEAL of patience, understanding, and knowledge to handle pee wee classes effectively - not just as far as the kids are concerned, but often as far as the parents are concerned also :)

If you have a child and you're thinking of enrolling them, check out the schools first and take some time to chat with the instructors and parents of other kids in the school. If you're an instructor thinking about starting a kids program, I'd strongly recommend reading up quite a bit on child psychology and developmental stages before constructing your curriculum and program, especially if you're looking at the 3-6 year old range.

I hope this helps somewhat.

Ken C
9th Dan HapMoosaKi-Do
8th Dan TaeKwon-Do
7th Dan YongChul-Do

Answer 7

As soon as a kid is old enough to act independently on a physical level they will benefit from training. I recommend Judo. When I practiced in NC my Dojo had a kids program that started at age 3 or 4. And those kids where dynamite. The exercise and discipline are a very important aspect of the training regime. Kids judo starts off with the sport aspect for younger kids. This allows them to learn a martial art but also to have some fun. Most United States Judo Association (USJA) tournaments allow 4 and up to compete. Any further detail feel free to ask.

Answer 8

Some schools will start kids as early as 3 years old and that is good to start them in being involved in activities with other kids and some discipline.
The school I currently attend starts them at age 5. My daughter is also a student there and started to learn at 4 and a half. She is now 6 and loves it. She looks forward to the classes and its an added benefit as she has moved up to learning the basic adult forms now and we can work on them at home which is also a benefit as we can spend time together.
She has a great time there, made new friends, is learning life skills aside from self defense as martial arts teaches her about how to learn, focus, strengthen her mind and body, develop more will and endurance. The list of benefits martial arts can provide is very lengthy. Keep in mind there are many different styles and disciplines of martial arts. My daughter trains in Kung Fu. Karate and Tae Kwan Do are also very good as any of these styles will lay a good foundation as your child gets older and starts to identify which specific type of training they would like to continue with.
I encourage and applaud you in your decision and hope for the best in your and your child(rens) training and endeavors.

Answer 9

There really isn't a answer to that. Kids will receive benefit from training at whatever age they want to train at, but the class matters. Some classes most 6 year olds will do well and learn lots in, others they will get nothing out of.

You need a instructor that understands how to work with kids at that age, and knows how to make classes fun for them.

I've taught kids as young as 4, they are capable of lots. As long as you understand what they can and cannot do, are patient and make classes fun for them.

My preference at that age is too teach more grappling / wrestling though.

Answer 10

It all depends on what the aim of the the instruction is. If the child is interested in actual self defense, then they probably shouldn't start until their about 9 or 10 as up until then most are still subconsciously learning body mechanics and motor skills.

If the students are coming in to learn balance, coordination, have a good time, control, etc., then a younger age of 5 or 6 would be more acceptable as they're really not learning the various applications and complex intricacies of moves shown to them such as muscle tension, body mechanics, etc.