In general, yes. Some of the possible positives would be control of agressiveness, instilling self-respect and self-control, as well as self-defense. The style that a child should take is a totally different question, and is directly influenced by the style, if any, of the parents. It will of course be convenient if the child can practice with, or at least in the same school as, the parents. The major issue with children in the martial arts is the integrity and trustworthiness of the teacher and the school. The joints and connective tissues of children are more vulnerable to injury than those of adults. Keep this in mind when selecting a style and school for a child, and discuss it with the instructor. Schools which allow agressive joint locks to be applied to children or don't train them to refrain from snapping/hyper-extending elbows on strikes and knees on kicks should be avoided. (It is for this same reason that good baseball coaches will not allow young pitchers to throw pitches which require hard snapping of the arm - like curve balls). Throws, however, are quite different; the small size of children makes them naturals for arts which require falling down.

You could argue this either way. On one hand, they might learn self-dicipline, and become better for it, on the other they might become arrogant and be worse off for it. It could help their self-confidence, but it might create a false-condfidense, children really don't have the physical ability to harm an adult who really wanted to hurt them, they are not big enough. Yes there have been cases where a child has harmed an adult enough that they can escape, but the martial art training might not help at all when it comes down to them just needing some luck and a determination to survive. The fighting instict in a human child is greater than one might think, and they do get in a life or death situation they will be pretty dang vicious out of instinct, so knowing how to avoid bad situations will be far more valuable having any martial skill. As they grow up and get around late Jr.High/High school age the influences around them will have skewed their view on defending themselves and their instincts a little less intense, it might be time to invest some training into some self-defense. My ending opinion : They don't need it, it could give them a headstart in later training, but it's very important that they do not ever think themselves good fighters at such a young age because the truth of the matter will always be... they are not. Take a untrained full grown adult male and compare him to a 12 year old blackbelt, that training is not going to that 12 year old a lick of good, he's just out-powered he better know not to fight.

I would say most definitely. I was in martial arts from age 8 (I am now 28). Martial arts played a big role in who I am today without a doubt. It increases your focus and concentration, it provides a positive release of aggression, it builds character, and it gives kids a chance to be a part of a large group of friends. Be careful what school you choose. Generally, I would stay away from a school with a contract. I would always stay away from a school that guarantees anything or one that has 10 year old black belts. Part of the training is learning to be patient and learning to earn what you get. In my school, it took a minimum of 8 years to attain a black belt and there have been VERY few. When I started in 1986, I was one of probably 45 people in the class. Those people varied in rank from white belt to blue belt. I was the only one of that group to stick it out and get my black belt (2nd degree now). It doesn't have to be that hard, but it shouldn't be a guarantee. Talk with the instructor and see how he feels about that. Take a look at his students, if they are spastic child blackbelts, go somewhere else. FBM

It depends really. Most martial arts are perfect for a childs self-defense needs. Styles such as tae kwon do and karate may be perfect for a child's self-defense. However harsh styles such as krav manga or pentjak silat may not be the best choice. When entering a child in any martial art you must think about his physical and mental attributes as well as what he would like to learn. Try to find a school that is safe as well. You must choose a school that will not teach the child to kill someone because it is a child's way of thinking that if he learns a martial art, they are ways of "beating the bullies up" so also it depends on the mental attributes and the age of the child.

I think that children should it allso keeps the not only focused with everyday life but drug free remember that being drug free is cool not the other way around people today esp. kids should realize that drugs are not the answer to you'r life but patience and faith: but for the whole contract bid? well my sensie came here to america about 4 5 years ago top from korea he had trained the south korean army to fight against the north and he is a 6th dan black belt in taekwondo and kungfu: he has us sign a contract but only for one year i belive in contract's much like the whole purpose in life and in the martial arts world martial arts has a lot to do with some sort of contract whether it is a bidding contract for you'r self or to you'r sensei it is honer and respect and with out a contract in life we will be more adapted to corruption and deceit but for the whole dojang? i do agree on that part you should comfront a sensei respectfully and ask him or her on certain goals and metods they use and like many place i believe if in some cases if you'r kid doe's have asthma let them know most will or i think should accept them no matter what but will be more causious on any issues oh yea most of the times for this whole contract bid is that if something would ever happen they parents can not sue the corporation dojang or the head sensei in any shape or form i do agree on that part aswell sueing has no honer but dishoner deceit and corruption. It brings shame not only for that person but as human it self

Absolutely, it as the army mato goes "Strength for now, strength for later". A child who learns martial arts will have self disaplin after a few years and they will be able to apply that to everything they do in life, such as school and work.

I think that martial art was one of the thinks that got me through a tough childhood. I gave me a strong inner confidence, and the knowledge that not all adults were out to get me. The self defense part was not that important to me, just the effects it gave me. I think that confidence is the best gift you can give your child, and martial arts is the perfect way to diliver this.

I don't see a problem with it as long as they learn when to use it and when is not an appropriate time.

Absolutely! It's great for self-control. Also, it prepares them to defend themselves without a weapon.

Yeah, I think so. Good exercise and as long as they have the right teacher it could be a good confidence boost. I met an MMA fighter that runs a dojo near me and he was telling me about how he just recently kicked a kid out of his gym for beating up another kid at school and actually had a good talk with him about it. Basicially he said "I'm not teaching you this to be a bully, I'm teaching you this to keep you healthy and disciplined and to possibly compete if you choose to."

You shouldn't force a kid to, but if he asks and is willing to do the hard work and STUDYING involved, get him down there right away!! Just make sure that the kids realizes that the keyword is STUDY!!

It depends, I mean kids aren't fully developed and even though they're told right from wrong, they don't fully understand the world(unless they're geniuses), and then they could use those skills they learned and possibly kill someone X.X But if you can teach them self-control and what is in their minds is right, then sure, it's good for them :) But since kids will eventually go through puberty, you don't want to do anything detrimental to their health, and self-defense unltimately, can be one of those harmful things sometimes, if you think about it >.>

Yes, it is better for a child to learn peer pressure in the MA school then in the street or playground. Just find a good teacher.

I thinks so, yes. I teach as young as 3 & 4 year olds ... but before I accept ANY student, they must pass a few simple tests ...

Everyone including kids should know how to defend themselves. But if they are young you have to instill in their mind exactly how important it is to use it -only- in self defense and explain what self defense is.

If I might add, it's good for children to learn martial arts, because it teaches them many important thing, etc. Anyways, martial arts is not for everyone. Those were Bruce Lee's thoughts too, and it's true =0

Yes :)

Ive done Tae Kwan Do for about 8 years now and Im thinking about taking a break for a while to do ice hockey but Tae Kwan Do has advantages and disadvantages for kids who want to do it for the experience and kids who truly need it to defend themselves on the street and in schools.For my first three years I was very young and bullying wasnt really the thing in my school (I was also the tallest kid so...) for the first 3 years self defence wasnt really the thing we were working on,we were working on dicipline,proper technique,forms,basic skills.After those three years I eventually started having troubles in school for racial reasons in 4th grade!!!!!!! which is pretty disturbing for kids that age.I wasnt the tallest kid for a while,also kids that were bigger then me thought they can "kick my ass" because of their size.These people never fought before and punch like in a sideways typa barfight punch which was suprisingly easy to counter.Without martial arts I probably wouldve been beat up alot.Through middle school kids became for violent and bloodthirsty just because they want attention and popularity for beating up "that jackie chan kid" but they never got through. HAVE YOUR KIDS DO MARTIAL ARTS.I CAN TALK ABOUT MY OWN REASONS FOREVER. NOT ONLY DOES IT TEACH SELF DEFENCE BUT CONFIDENCE AND A STRAIGHT FACE WHENEVER HE/SHE IS GETTING YELLED AT STRAIGHT IN THE FACE.THATS GOOD FOR MILITARY ACADEMYS.SO MANY THING GOODS SO LITTLE BAD (MONEY)

i've been in martial arts since 8 years, i see someone here was too. yes, it's not a question of pure sport, it's a kind of lifestyle. surely, it's a good thing to me, a passion, and allows you to find your center. i'd prefer an oriental martial art, not a derived one. therefore a technical one, wich is physical and theorical, and ofcourse will give you a better total understanding of what is 'the flow'

Martial arts study can be extremely beneficial to children. Not only can it be an outlet for energy, but the structure can be very helpful for teaching discipline, patience and respect. Having said that, I would look for an instructor that is not only good with kids, but one that has a program designed for children the age of yours.

Yes. Since teachers, principals, and admin refuse to rein in bullies, the kiddies are on their own to: http://pyoa.com/

I think any type of physical activity is preferable to being a video game zombie.

My Grandson is a Black Belt in Karate.

Yes, every child should learn it. It is great physical exercise and helps to train some coordination for the body.

Children should be made to try things until you find something they like. Short of actual abuse, the worst thing you can do with kids is let them get away with NOT trying things. They will naturally retreat into the familiar. So if your kid hasn't found his/her 'thing' yet, try martial arts. Maybe they'll like it. If they don't, then don't sweat it. Find another thing. Somewhere out there is something they'll like.

Serious dojos will not take students under 12. They cannot handle the responsibility. Money making schools will take any body. When I had my school, I took only serious students.

As soon as they are old enough to be responsible for their actions.

Yes. They should learn martial arts for defence only and not to start a fight. Martial arts is for all ages.

Absolutely, the whole point of martial arts training is to prepare children for any situation that might bring them harm.