questions on martial arts and kids

[eimarra]

Asking this here to get maximum input.

Last month, the local branch of Tiger Shulman's Martial Arts sent a couple people (including someone in a tiger costume) to entertain kids during the PTA meeting. Our son had fun and, so far as I know, thought no more about it until he went to the store the other day with my husband and saw the tiger again. Now he's saying he wants to go, he wants to learn karate.

So I have some questions.

* How do you judge a martial arts program?

* Is 5 too young to start? Is there another martial art that would be better than karate at this age?

* Are there questions I should be asking the people at the program?

* Shulman's seems to run about $100 a month, though that's guessing because to get actual prices and times, one has to show up in person. Is this price good, bad, indifferent?

All help, advice, and comments appreciated.

Comments

[adais.livejournal.com]

-How do you judge a martial arts program? Martial arts is based on structure and discipline. What is the student/teacher or student/helper ratio? If a student is having trouble with a particular concept, do they continue to teach it the same way, or can they change things up to better reach kids with different learning styles? Do they use peer instruction? How important is winning, versus learning? Really- a martial arts program is the same as any after school activity. You want to make sure your child is going to get a fair shot, is going to be taught the things he needs to know to excel, is going to get the help he needs when he needs it, and is not going to be bullied by the other kids.

-Is 5 too young to start? Is there another martial art that would be better than karate at this age? No. Five is a very good age. Any sport is going to use your child's pent up energy. It also fosters creativity. You'll be surprised what a few hours a week can do to help your child relax, learn to communicate with others in a healthy, constructive way, and learn the importance of structure and rules. In most asian countries- children (mainly boys, but some girls, too) are taught karate (or another form of martial arts), from the moment they start walking well. Not as a form of defense, but as a form of structure and discipline (and behavior management).

-Are there questions I should be asking the people at the program? Most mom's are too into the karate movie hype. That karate is all about fighting, and that if I let my kid learn karate- they are just going to get into fights at school. No- you should ask if you can observe a class. Particularly a class with a few kids around your son's age. That way- you can see how they interact with the teacher, with the aids, and with other students. And you can see a little of how the classes go, and whether that is something you feel okay with involving your son in. I think most of the questions should come after. They can tell you how it's supposed to be; but how it's supposed to be and how it really is- is two different things.

-Shulman's seems to run about $100 a month, though that's guessing because to get actual prices and times, one has to show up in person. Is this price good, bad, indifferent? Does that include the uniform? How many classes does that include a month? Is this a structured program? (i.e.- how many years would it take for your son to reach the highest level? And how comparable are the prices for the higher levels, as compared to the beginner levels?)

I know there are places in Allentown that offer cheaper rates, but that may not be for children. That may only be adult programs. And coming into Allentown may not be an option. Check around- Tiger Shulman is a brand name, so the prices are going to be inflated. There are a lot of reputable centers/dojos, that can probably offer what you're looking for- for less. Or is your son more fascinated with the tiger, than with the program?

[eimarra]

Thanks.

the same as any after school activity Well, I've never looked into one as a parent before, and it's been a while since I was in high school. Which is why I wanted advice. :-)

Burning off pent up energy and introduction of structure would both be good.

I know karate's not all about fighting, and that kids who get good training are less likely to be involved in fights, not more.

Thanks for the input. I'll definitely look around at some of the other options.

[icedrake.livejournal.com]

First of all, I'd say $100 a month is ludicrously expensive. I don't know how big the town you live in is, but I doubt this is the best value for your money. (I've never heard of Tiger Shulman's, but a quick google scan resulted in comments varying from "showy and useless" to "good, but overpriced")

Second, is 5 too young to start? That depends. Largely, it depends on the instructor. But also, here are a few points to consider:
Size of the class: The bigger the class, the less attention your child will get, and few 5-year-olds can practice independently for very long

The specific 5-year-old in question: Can your son spend five minutes practicing without starting to fool around or getting into trouble? If so, then it's definitely not too early to start martial arts.

Whether there are other kids in the same age group: A group of kids is much more likely to have a dedicated instructor or assistant instructor supervising just them, which may be a very good thing.

How to evaluate a school is a separate question. The first question to ask is, what does your son want to get out of the classes? The second, and probably more important question is, what do you want your son to get out of them.

A few reasons people study martial arts (in no particular order)

Self-defense
Physical conditioning and health benefits
Competitive fighting/sparring or competitive form (kata competitions in karate)
Discipline
Philosophy/spiritual education
The "cool factor" of being able to say, Keanu Reeves-style, "I know kung-fu!"

This list isn't exhaustive, but it may give you an idea of what to look for. I very strongly recommend you observe at least one class at any school you are considering for your son.

I'd suggest you look at cultural centres. I studied karate at a Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre for a couple of years, and the class was superb, both in level of instruction and in value for my money. To give you an idea, I was paying $25/month for twice-weekly classes, plus an annual $40 membership to the centre. Most places not subsidized by the community seem to run in the $40-$50/month range. One thing to watch out for is "special" costs. Those may include competition costs, uniform costs, belt test fees, and various and sundry others.

(Incidentally, a karate uniform -- a gi -- should not cost more than $60. If the school is asking more than that, buy it at a sports store or find another school)

This came out rather rambly; if you want me to talk about anything specific, just ask.

Disclosure: I've been studying martial arts on and off for about 16 years now, in three countries, six or seven styles, and over a dozen schools. My experience, while not as deep as that of others, is definitely varied.

[eimarra]

Hey, long time no see! :-D Thanks for the input. This is very helpful.

The only cultural centers I know of around here tend to be Czech, Polish, or Pennsylvania Dutch. I'll keep my eyes open, though.

I may have more specific questions as we seriously start hunting.

Thanks.

[l-clausewitz.livejournal.com]

Well, check these links out. They contain some valuable information on choosing martial arts schools to attend, buth for the would-be martial artists and for the parents of such would-be martial artists.

Aout.com guide to Martial Arts

Is Your Martial Arts School Legitimate?

AnswerBag Martial arts FAQ

[eimarra]

Ooh, lots of information there. Thanks!

[chipmunk-planet.livejournal.com]

My kids did martial arts for a while. They dropped out because they didn't like sparring.

Five is okay if he can focus. Not all five year old boys can, and those who can't can be really distracting to the rest of the class. I've seen kids in white belt classes as early as three.

The teacher has to like kids and be able to control a class. Very important, because kids all over the place in a martial arts class can mean injuries.

$100 for how long a session? What's included? The one I had my kids in was I think $60 for a ten or twelve week session. You could pay by the class or all at once (it was cheaper all at once). That didn't include the uniform or the medicine ball. (which they used in yellow belt class)

Go with your gut. If they won't let you observe classes and don't allow parents in the room during classes, find another place.

[eimarra]

Focus. Hmmmm. Like his mom, off and on.

The $100 was for a month of classes. I don't know how many classes or how often they met.

Thanks for the input!