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Home » Blog » How to Help Children Overcome the Fear of Their First Martial Arts Class

How to Help Children Overcome the Fear of Their First Martial Arts Class

November 4, 2011 By Sensei Matt Klein

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A kind martial arts instructor

Pick a school where the instructors are kind and truly enjoy teaching children martial arts.

Every martial arts term starts with a ritual. Some kids are chomping at the bit to get into the class and learn the reverse somersaulting flying ninja kick that they saw on TV. Others, you cannot bribe them with enough sweets to join the class. Why? Kids are as varied as colours of the rainbow. Some are outgoing, others are shy or are petrified of getting hurt. There is no “normal or abnormal” with respect to this.

How do you get your child to overcome their fears and engage in their first martial arts class? Here are some of the things that have been successful in our martial arts classes for children.

Let the child express what is causing the fear.

Sometimes just talking about it eases the child’s fear. Words often take some of the power out of negative thoughts.

Do not ridicule the fear as a way of forcing your child to overcome it.

Saying “Don’t be silly! Karate is super easy!” may get your child into the class, but it won’t make the fear go away.

Start with little steps.

Don’t push them into the class. Let them work their way into it slowly. While I am going around the class letting the kids use their blocks against the padded blockers (a very fun activity that gets the kids laughing), I stop in front of the shy child, smile, and lower the blocker slowly toward them so they can get it easily. I make it a point to praise them if they have a go at it, whether or not they do it correctly. This often works.

Make it an adventure you and your child can share.

Stand out there with them and do the warm-ups or other activities with them. They will feed off your enthusiasm and will feel less alone.

Allow yourself to be the “home base”.

Using you as “home base,” the child can venture out toward the martial arts class, and then return to you for safety before venturing out again. This allows the child a sense of control, but also reassures them that you are there for them.

Let the younger black belts talk them into it.

Often kids are intimidated by “the Sensei”, but if you send a younger assistant over to talk them into it, they can relate to someone closer to their age.

Be patient.

Some children take as long as four classes to engage. Once they get involved, they tend to be outstanding students, as they are usually very coachable.

Pick a school where the instructors are kind towards children.

The instructor must be interested in teaching children and sensitive to their needs. It is amazing how many schools out there are really not that interested in teaching children martial arts, they just do it as a “money spinner”. You can tell by observing a few classes how passionate the instructors are about teaching children.

What strategies have worked for you to help your child face the fear of joining in their first martial arts class?

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Filed Under: Martial Arts Resources for Parents

Comments

  1. John W. Zimmer says

    November 9, 2011 at 3:33 am

    Great advice Matt!

    I used to find that once you broke the ice and let kids see what was possible (assuming a good positive approach) the kids really blossomed into real martial artists.

    Conversely if the instructor made it too hard with discipline for mistakes and such – only a few kids would stick through it.

    So I think it is so important that parents find a good fit for their kids… not so much the instructors pedigree but more if the kids like the instructor and school – is most important.

  2. John W. Zimmer says

    November 9, 2011 at 8:55 am

    test

  3. John W. Zimmer says

    November 9, 2011 at 8:56 am

    Hi Matt,

    Left a comment before – don’t know what happened to it but I think the instructor is so important when selecting a school. Good instructor – the students will feel good and keep coming back.

  4. Sensei Matt Klein says

    November 10, 2011 at 10:58 pm

    Hi John, sorry wordpress is supposed to allow your comments without moderation because you have been approved previously. Not sure why it got caught in the spam catcher.

    Yes, many instructors just make it too hard for kids–they treat them like mini-adults, then wonder why none of them stick around. It is so important to pick a good instructor because a poor one can leave a bad taste in the students mouth and turn them away from the martial arts permanently.

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mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
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Australia's Youth Self Defence Karate
mihir-joshi-kenpo-freestyle-sydneyOver the years, through Karate, I found that my confidence and self-esteem levels had sky rocketed to heights I never thought it would go. I thank Sensei Matt, and all those who have helped me in Karate, for helping me understand such values in a fun and social learning environment.
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Friendly yet disciplined approach towards karate at Australia’s Youth has helped enormously. It enabled Mihir to build a sense of belonging and improved his motivation to excel. It’s amazing how learning the Martial Arts helps build confidence and improve overall personality.
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I like Karate because it is really fun and I love going on the weekend to see all my friends and Senseis. Karate makes me feel safe because I don’t worry about bullies at school because I know they can’t really hurt me.Tyvian-Macfarlne-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
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09/08/2014
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The confidence karate has given Tyvian is amazing. He is takes pride in himself and he has matured. The focus, confidence and discipline he has gained through karate has transferred to other areas of his life such as educational tasks, looking after younger children both in and out of his family and demonstrating empathy for others.Robert-Macfarlane
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I owe my confidence, strength, fitness and leadership skills to Karate. It has taught me to persist with everything and that the only way to improve is to try harder.Adam-Loader-Kenpo-Freestyle-Sydney
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Look at what you have achieved Matt, we can’t thank you enough for your contribution to shaping these two young men. We are often complimented about the maturity of the boys and we know their Karate has played an important part in developing that maturity. Brings a tear to my eye!
loadersRobert Loader, father of Adam and Jacob Loader
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