| Practicing the martial arts provides distinct | | | | absorb the lessons. Your toddler will also learn to |
| advantages for older children and adults. Did you | | | | focus and follow through on tasks; dawdling and |
| know that toddler-age children could also greatly | | | | impulsivity aren't allowed! The sensei will re-direct |
| benefit from the martial arts as well? Karate and | | | | your child's focus to mastering the task at hand; |
| Tae Kwan Do not only provide toddlers with | | | | movements that can only be learned by strict |
| exciting experiences with other children, but these | | | | focus. Your toddler will be required to memorize |
| arts also encourage motor skill coordination, | | | | the order and types of movements, performing |
| concentration, and self-confidence. Add these skills | | | | them flawlessly when prompted by the sensei. |
| with a touch of ancient Eastern wisdom, and your | | | | Thus, when he begins school, your toddler will |
| toddler will be learning life lessons that will serve | | | | have a distinct edge in learning language and |
| him well in the years to come. (Note: although the | | | | abstract arithmetic skills. The best things in life are |
| pronouns "him" and "his" are used here, the martial | | | | not free. Hard work and discipline get you what |
| arts are just as effective for girls!) Between the | | | | you want and help you reach your goals. |
| ages of two and five, your toddler is growing in | | | | Unfortunately, toddlers only know that they want |
| mind, body and spirit. These ages are distinctly | | | | everything now. There is no later; there is no |
| important, as they set the tone for your toddler's | | | | waiting. Right away is all that matters. In the |
| life pattern of behavior. Childhood development | | | | martial arts, toddlers get their first taste of reality |
| experts recommend that toddlers participate in | | | | and learn self-discipline. They learn that they have |
| physical and mental activities to encourage | | | | to take things step by step and master each |
| personality growth, physical maturity, and | | | | step before moving on to the next. There are no |
| socialization with others. The martial arts | | | | shortcuts. Your toddler will learn that unprovoked |
| effectively provide these experiences in a variety | | | | aggression is never appropriate. The martial arts |
| of ways. While your toddler is growing, his | | | | are defensive in nature; your toddler will learn that |
| muscles and bones must develop strength and | | | | amicably getting along with others results from |
| agility. Physical development occurs only when a | | | | the self confidence of knowing that he isn't going |
| toddler receives adequate exercise that including | | | | to be harmed by schoolyard bullies. As he bows |
| stretching, bending and muscle-building | | | | to his opponent, your toddler learns to show |
| movements. Have you noticed how clumsy | | | | respect to others, increasing his own confidence. |
| toddlers can be? Although they have mastered | | | | His mastery of the martial arts also teaches him |
| the fine art of walking, they seem to trip over | | | | that he can succeed in life tasks, thus building a |
| many things, including their own two feet! The | | | | confident, intrepid adult. Your toddler's sensei will |
| martial arts excel at teaching your toddler motor | | | | expose him to the enduring wisdom of Eastern |
| skill coordination, precision movements that | | | | philosophy and the ancient world. These are the |
| increase hand-eye coordination and foot/leg | | | | concepts of avoiding foolish and self-destructive |
| movements that help him learn balance and move | | | | behavior, service to others, tolerance for |
| him past the toddler "wobbles." How long is your | | | | differences, patience, loyalty and caution. These |
| toddler's attention span? How about his ability to | | | | days finding a martial arts program for your child |
| focus on tasks until they're completed? Is he able | | | | isn't difficult. A reputable school (dojo) will allow |
| to memorize and retain information at a rate | | | | you to sit in a class at any time and watch your |
| appropriate for his age? The martial arts require | | | | child's progress. Don't be afraid to ask questions |
| toddlers to concentrate and pay close attention | | | | and stay for a couple of classes to see how the |
| to the instructions of the sensei (teacher); to be | | | | instructors interact with all the students. Who |
| successful in the martial arts and in their lives, | | | | knows? You might want to join the fun too! |
| toddlers must learn to listen and thoroughly | | | | |