Children have limitless potential for growth, and as a parent, you want to foster and encourage them to succeed. Martial arts instill character and perseverance in children of all ages. With a wide range of disciplines including karate, judo, and kickboxing, martial arts offer kids a variety of ways to train their bodies while learning essential life-building skills.

3 Important Principles Instilled by Martial Arts

1. Perseverance

No child entering hapkido for the first time is ready for a black belt. Some students advance quickly, while others may reach a wall while traveling through the ranking system which is difficult to overcome. Persevering through these setbacks teaches kids to set and reach goals, which makes advancement to the next level a satisfying hurdle to overcome.

2. Continuous Learning

Learning different martial arts techniques allows children to explore different muscle groups and discover what their bodies are capable of. This, in turn, encourages continuous learning during each lesson. New techniques and ways to counteract attacks lead to new developments and understanding of body movements. Additionally, mastering a martial art doesn't mean your child can't study additional disciplines. Even when they accomplish different belts, they can still learn new skills and expand their personal growth.

3. Courage

Your child doesn’t have to be big to be courageous. This is a vital lesson for children, and seeing martial artists of all sizes will instill courage and confidence that will last them a lifetime. It’s important to note that the goal in martial arts isn’t to attack someone, but rather to defend one’s self and incapacitate the attacker using non-violent skills. Knowing how to defend themselves will lessen the likelihood of being bullied, and will give kids the courage to stand up for themselves or others.

If your child is interested in karate, taekwondo, and hapkido, the dedicated instructors at Iron Dragon Fitness & Self Defense in Middletown, NY, will teach your child ways to defend themselves while having fun. Operating in the area for 20 years, these experienced martial artists are equipped to train children in a variety of disciplines, including self-defense classes. Visit their website to browse their kid’s martial arts classes or call (845) 342-3413 to enroll your child in a course.