Many Reasons

Parents enroll their children in a martial arts program for many reasons. Some parents want to keep their child out of mischief, others are hoping to see their grades improve. Still others want to see a growth in confidence and spirit. Often the instructors are asked "How long will it take before my child show improvement?" The best answer is to say that everyone progresses at a different pace. With that said there are some general expectations.

Code of Conduct

First and foremost will be a code of conduct that your child will be expected to follow while in the training facility. There will be rules of etiquette, rules for safety and general rules for behavior. It is most helpful if the parents learn these rules and discuss them with the child outside of class. The child will show the most improvement in behavior by watching their parents display the same respect and courtesy at the training facility.

Here is an example of the Dojo Code:
Character - I'm a good person.
Sincerity - I am honest and truthful.
Effort - I try hard.
Self Control - I control my talking and my temper.
Courtesy - I respect my parents, seniors and teachers.

Patience and Perseverance

The training environment is structured to allow the child to safely perform physical and mental exercises. There will be times when your child will feel unsure about trying new things, such as falling or tumbling. Allow the instructors to coach your child through the situation so that they overcome their fears. The best support a parent can offer is to encourage the child to keep trying and not to give up when training is difficult.

When a child begins a martial arts program they are often quite excited. This is good because the first few months will focus on basics that will require a lot of repetition. The repetition is designed to build a memory of the exercise that will bring about an automatic response. Many students get bored and frustrated and want to quit when they perceive a lack of progress in their training. This will be a learning opportunity about perseverance and patience for the parent and child to share. Encouragement and a reminder that only with practice comes proficiency, will teach your child to persevere when they are struggling.

Making a Commitment

As with starting any training program, making a personal commitment to spend at least a year is a good plan. During the time period, there is no quitting or giving up. This means both parents and children commit to coming to class and setting aside the time to bring your child to class. Making sure your child understands that there is no quitting until the end of the one year commitment. This is a valuable lesson in learning to be responsible and reliable. Not allowing your child to quit teaches a strength of character that will carry through the rest of their life.

Throughout the one year commitment your child will go through many emotional highs and lows. When the child is at a low it can be a tough decision to keep coming to class. All martial arts training requires disciple ad self control. Becoming confident and accomplished requires experiencing fear, frustration and anger. The parent will play a vital role in encouraging their child not to give up. The martial arts instructor is prepared to guide your child through the experience and help them reach their potential.

Life Long Lessons

Training in a martial art promotes focus, problem solving, leadership skills, physical, mental and emotional control, perseverance, respect, teamwork, and self awareness. These skill will play an integral part in the success of your child for the rest of their life. The ability to kick and punch is secondary to the lessons learned and values instilled upon a child as they grow up and go through the rest of their life. The ability to stand up to bullies, take responsibility for their actions, and make good decisions are among the many fruits of good training. These lessons are the most important part of learning a martial art and will affect your child for the rest of their life.