The best age to introduce a child to martial arts

The best age to introduce a child to martial arts is whenever they are old enough to express genuine interest. You must determine whether it’s only a whim but remember, not everyone who joins a dojo becomes a black belt.

There are a wealth of physical and mental benefits that await a child interested in studying martial arts. Here's what you need to know:

• Age groups: Most karate schools address the issue of teaching children by separating them into age categories, such as four to five to six year-olds, six to eight year-olds, and so on.  A 2010 study conducted in the US involved interviews with 30 instructors who taught five year-olds. Nearly 30% of the instructors saw these early beginners go on to achieve black belt. The curriculum in schools gets more intense the older a student is, meaning that a challenge awaits a beginner, regardless of age.
• Discipline: Children who study martial arts enter an environment where erratic behaviour and acting out are simply not available options. Experts also found that a child with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) studying Taekwondo responds well to the respect and discipline that are part of the learning structure. The memorization, coordination, and focus required in martial arts also allows students to develop neural pathways in the brain that help in other areas of life, such as scholastic achievement and following through on goals and commitments.
• Focus : People who began studying karate at an early age report that it gave them the focus, concentration, discipline, and work ethic to succeed as an adult.

There are no downsides to sending a child to martial arts classes; only benefits. Whether they keep at it for just a short while or become lifelong students, everyone wins.