1.       Confidence‑ Children build confidence in the martial arts through positive reinforcement from their instructors. Unlike other sports such as baseball, soccer, and hockey where only the top athletes of the team gain recognition and the average kid sits on the bench, martial arts instructors recognize that every child is different, yet special.

 

2.     Physical motor skill development- Children who have physical development excel better at sports, and are less likely to be picked on at school. Children who are physically active have more confidence amongst their peers. Children who are physically active at an early age tend to stay physically active throughout their life, which becomes more and more crucial as one gets older.

 

3.     Positive social interaction‑ When a child is exposed to a social environment, especially one that is positive, they build social skills that will last a lifetime. When a child is taken out of a social environment, exposed to video games and television at home, they lose their ability to interact socially with others.

 

4.       Reinforcement of strong morals and values‑ As a child, when your hero speaks, you listen. Children are captivated by the martial arts and want to be just like their instructors. As instructors, we utilize the ability to inspire our youth by encouraging them to stay focused on the good and not the bad. We make discipline cool, which kids pick up on and embrace as a part of their daily habits.

 

5.     Character development- Probably the most important lesson we teach is how to have good character. This lesson goes a long way in life. Studies have shown that whom you are and how you act will take you further in life than just having book smarts. Martial arts instructors have high standards of character that is shown when they teach, and children pick up on their instructor's character traits sometimes without even knowing.

 

Children who are taught good life skills at an early age, such as confidence, character,and social skills, have a better chance at succeeding in life than those who don't.