Self Discipline
Martial arts help instill mental focus in your child, giving him/her the ability to concentrate on a task and see it through to its completion. The discipline that is taught in the dojang in regard to uniforms, customs and techniques often translates into other areas of their life, including school and household chores. This also helps lead them to becoming responsible adults.
Respect
Martial arts is about respect. Punching, kicking, throwing and blocking are all secondary. Children bow to their instructors. They also learn to treat other students as they wish to be treated. Our martial arts instructors press upon the respect issue regularly and instruct students to practice respect for self, parents, teachers and to everyone they meet.
Self Confidence
A child who is involved in martial arts is generally a child who is confident in his or herself. Working through martial arts and the belt ranking system gives children measurable goals to follow that are realistic to attain. The sense of accomplishment a child feels by mastering a new technique or graduating to a new belt follows them everywhere he or she goes.
Gender Equality
Many parents would consider martial arts for their sons, not nearly as many would consider it for their daughters. However martial arts is one of the few sports (art) where both boys and girls can play together. At Peace Martial Arts, we have a large amount of girls in our classes, and in many classes they outnumber the boys.
*The information on this page was obtained from www.ricardoalmeida.com and joshua mccarron at livestrong.com and edited by Adam Vann*