Parents often struggle to find the perfect activity involve their child in. Popular choices often include mini -foot or cheerleading activities, dance lessons, soccer, or tee ball. While all of those programs offer their share of benefits, many parents seem to overlook one of the most influential and beneficial activities that they can involve their child in. Youth karate or other forms of martial arts can be a great way to help your child become active while learning or improving qualities like self discipline, respect, and self confidence. Martial arts activities can put your child on track to an emotionally, spiritually, and physically healthy future. Before you sign your child up for group sports or dance lessons, consider the benefits that karate can offer.

• Self-Discipline: Young children have a lot of energy and aren’t always sure how, when, or where to properly channel it. Martial arts instruction and training will teach your child self discipline which will ultimately help them channel their abundance of youthful energy. Many parents who enroll their children in programs like youth karate claim that their child listens more, follow directions better, and are more attentive to their daily responsibilities like chores and homework.

• Confidence: Karate is full of challenges that require hard work, determination, and practice. When your child take part in a tournament or is awarded with a new belt they will earn significant confidence. The confidence achieved through martial arts training will extend out into your child’s social life and set the foundation for successful social interactions throughout their life. Nothing comes close to the value of confidence.

• Respect: Martial arts practices are centered on respect for yourself, others, and the world around you. The importance of respect in karate is a valuable virtue that your child will learn and master. Often times the other sports can evoke an unhealthy sense of competition. Karate insists that individuals only compete with themselves and in doing so better themselves each day. Children who take karate are cannot receive the next belt unless they have mastered.

• Physical Fitness: Karate isn’t just a series of moves aimed towards self defense. Each of those moves are made possible by sticking to a strict yet healthy routine of exercises that often include jumping ropes, doing pushup and sit ups, as well as other activities that work the cardiovascular system. Since martial arts do place an emphasis on physical fitness, your child will learn valuable lessons that will keep them healthy and fit for the rest of their lives.

• Life Long Wellness: Karate and other forms of martial arts can be practiced well into adult hood. Involving your child in martial art disciplines at an early age can set the ground work for their future health and wellness practices. Since karate is based on a combination of mental and physical requirements, individuals of all ages can reap the benefits of this lifelong sport. Continual involvement in karate will only improve your skills and help you master this time honored discipline.