Children And The Martial Arts: How Young Is Too Young?

It seems like a simple question. But the appropriate age at which to enroll kids into karate lessons is more complicated than many parents realize. There are several factors to consider, including the maturity of the child, his or her personality, and what the parents hope to accomplish through the training. It is unrealistic to enroll a 4-year-old child into MA classes in the hopes he will learn self-defense. Likewise, it makes little sense to enroll an older child unless the parents have determined their reasons for doing so.

This article will focus on kids. We'll ignore the question of what the parents hope to achieve, and instead concentrate on the attributes that influence whether martial arts training is appropriate in the first place. We'll first explore issues surrounding a child's maturity in the context of the style he or she is learning. Then, we'll take a closer look at the unique challenges of training kids in the martial arts.

Some MA styles emphasize striking. These include Shotokan karate, Muay Thai, and kung fu. Others, such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and wrestling, highlight grappling. This distinction is important because a young person's body has not fully developed. Learning a style that focuses heavily on strikes may expose the student to injury.

This is not to suggest that kids should avoid learning striking styles. It is more important to focus on the amount of force delivered with the strikes. For example, taekwondo is known to emphasize striking. But since the style is mostly performed in tournaments, the risk of injury is minimal (usually limited to bruising on the legs). Muay Thai, on the other hand, employs the arms, legs, elbows, and knees, to make direct contact. Consequently, the odds of injury increase substantially.

The suitability of martial arts training should also be judged by the maturity level of the student. Can the child decouple his aggression on the mat from his behavior following a match? Will he be able to identify the line past which his actions become inappropriate? Young children often lack judgment regarding how far they can go, especially when performing martial arts styles that underscore striking.

Here, age may be a less-than-perfect gauge. It is possible for a 5-year-old to display a higher level of maturity than a 7-year-old. Both the parents and the instructor have a shared responsibility in identifying potential problems before they escalate.

One of the hurdles in training young kids in the martial arts is holding their attention. Children become easily distracted unless they are given an outlet through which they can actively participate. This is especially true for styles that are more meditative, such as tai chi. The instructor should have experience in training kids, and know how to keep them engaged during the sessions. The training should be as fun as it is instructive to ensure the student remains attentive and involved.

Children who are enrolled into martial arts classes should be informed about what to expect during the training sessions. Their expectations play a significant role in maintaining their interest. Will there be grappling or sparring involved? Will they be expected to perform warm-up exercises at the beginning of each class? Will they learn self-defense techniques, or skills that will be applicable in other areas? If self-defense is taught, will the students learn when use of such techniques is warranted?

Kids should understand that training in the martial arts involves more than simply learning how to hit or kick someone. For many, the instruction will ignite a passion that lasts into adulthood. Though the kids are young, they should be told what to expect.

As a general rule, children under four years of age should not be enrolled into MA training. But this doesn't mean all kids four years and older are eligible. Much depends on the child, his willingness to participate, and his maturity level.