Finding the Right Martial Art Instructor for your ChildPosted by Martial Arts Moves Team on November 7th, 2011
If you are interested in enrolling your kid in a martial arts class, you must find the right instructor who will not only give the best quality education but also ensure the safety and protection of your little one. Here are some tips on how to find the best martial arts instructor for your beloved kid.
Clients
One of the first things that you would need to look into would be the clientele of the instructor. When you go the instructor’s studio or dojo, observe the students studying there. It would be good if the students are of the same age as your child so that he will not have a difficult time with the lessons. You would also want to talk with the parents of the children studying in the class so you can find out more about the instructor. Ask about his fighting style, ways of dealing with children, and so on. If you hear any negative feedback or complaint, think many times before you enroll your child to that class.
Curriculum
Inquire about the instructor’s curriculum. It would help if you do a background study on martial arts first before you do this so that the curriculum lingo will not be alien to you. Some of the things that you should find out about the curriculum would be the following: depth of each lesson, duration of the entire training, rewards system, belts and rankings, competitions, and other relevant activities. Do not forget to inquire about the cost of the class as well. Compare these with the other fees charged by other instructors. Of course, you do not pick the cheapest class but you choose one that will give the best value for your money. Even if you chose the cheapest deal but your kid did not learn anything from the class, it would be a bigger waste of money than if went for the one that is a little more expensive.
Personality and Teaching Techniques
Do a background check on the instructor. Use online services to find out about his credentials and experience so you can be assured that your kid is in safe hands. You also need to observe how he handles his class. Pay attention to how he teaches his students and how he deals with corrections. Does he correct his students in a kind but firm way or does he bash them or embarrass them in front of the class? Sure, he wants to emanate a strong and powerful image among his students but that is entirely different from being abusive and mean. Go for an instructor who is respected and not feared by his students.
Style
Find out about each of the different styles of martial arts so you can choose one that you think would be suitable for your child. Explain each technique to your little one so he can also put in some suggestions on what he would want to do. Karate, Taekwondo, and Kung Fu are just some of the styles ideal for kids while rougher forms such as Judo or kick boxing should be avoided.
Apart from the classes, it would help your kid a lot if you purchase self defense videos, which he can use during his practice at home. These videos will help him hone his self defense technique even after classes are over.