Karate Classes for Kids
East Coast Wado Karate Club
Sackville, Hammonds Plains and Bedford, Nova Scotia
Why is martial arts, and karate specifically, one of the fastest growing organized physical activities for children in Sackville, Bedford, and Hammonds Plains, NS?
There are many reasons, but for kids and teens, East Coast Wado Karate teaches skills and promotes personal growth in a very enjoyable way that few other sports can offer.
Self-Defense
Obviously, this is one of the primary benefits of karate that is simply not found in most other sports. Although karate never endorses violence, far too many children are the victims of bullying, teasing, and even physical assaults at school. It is an unfortunate fact that if a child is being physically threatened, sometimes walking away may not an option. In these cases, we believe that children have a right to defend themselves and will teach them how to do so in a manner that also emphasizes restraint and personal responsibility.
Physical Fitness
Too often we hear that kids today do not get enough physical activity. The Centre for Disease Control recommends that children get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day! Is your child getting enough exercise? Karate is an excellent way for kids to develop stamina, strength, flexibility and coordination.
Concentration and Focus
If you often wish that your child was better able to focus and concentrate on important tasks (for example, during school), there is no better sport to improve these essential skills than karate. When was the last time you saw your child pay attention to just one activity for over an hour (not including video games)? At East Coast Wado, our karate classes help children as young as four years old develop improved concentration, focus, and listening skills.
Interpersonal Skills
Sometimes parents worry that teaching a child karate will cause him or her to be more aggressive with peers. Nothing could be further from the truth. In our karate classes for kids, children learn to respect their peers, form positive bonds with fellow students, support each other in achieving goals, and will learn how to properly deal with conflict and exercise self-control. Ultimately, karate is an amazing tool for helping students develop heightened empathy and compassion towards others.
Discipline
What is delay of gratification? In short, psychologists have found that children who are able to set long term goals and delay gratification of immediate short term (but less rewarding) goals, tend to be more successful as adults! Although some of this is innate in one's personality, delay of gratification and self-discipline is a life skill that can be learned and honed with practice. Delay of immediate gratification and the importance of setting long-term goals are qualities that are carefully nurtured through our teachings and with our rewarding progressive belt system for children.
Self Confidence
Where does self-confidence come from? Well, one thing is certain - if is established and nurtured when we are children, we are far more likely to become adults who believe in ourselves, hold ourselves to high standards, do not let disappointments bring us down (too much), and seize the opportunities that life presents to us. It is important to note that karate in no way promotes arrogance or boastfulness, but rather, self-confidence with a generous serving of humility!
Respect
One of the main tenets of karate is respect - respect for yourself, respect for your instructors, respect for your peers, and respect for your opponent. Obviously this emphasis on respect for others is a quality that all of us (adults and children alike) can benefit from and will gradually extend to other people in your child's life (parents, teachers, siblings, friends, etc.).
There are many reasons, but for kids and teens, East Coast Wado Karate teaches skills and promotes personal growth in a very enjoyable way that few other sports can offer.
Self-Defense
Obviously, this is one of the primary benefits of karate that is simply not found in most other sports. Although karate never endorses violence, far too many children are the victims of bullying, teasing, and even physical assaults at school. It is an unfortunate fact that if a child is being physically threatened, sometimes walking away may not an option. In these cases, we believe that children have a right to defend themselves and will teach them how to do so in a manner that also emphasizes restraint and personal responsibility.
Physical Fitness
Too often we hear that kids today do not get enough physical activity. The Centre for Disease Control recommends that children get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day! Is your child getting enough exercise? Karate is an excellent way for kids to develop stamina, strength, flexibility and coordination.
Concentration and Focus
If you often wish that your child was better able to focus and concentrate on important tasks (for example, during school), there is no better sport to improve these essential skills than karate. When was the last time you saw your child pay attention to just one activity for over an hour (not including video games)? At East Coast Wado, our karate classes help children as young as four years old develop improved concentration, focus, and listening skills.
Interpersonal Skills
Sometimes parents worry that teaching a child karate will cause him or her to be more aggressive with peers. Nothing could be further from the truth. In our karate classes for kids, children learn to respect their peers, form positive bonds with fellow students, support each other in achieving goals, and will learn how to properly deal with conflict and exercise self-control. Ultimately, karate is an amazing tool for helping students develop heightened empathy and compassion towards others.
Discipline
What is delay of gratification? In short, psychologists have found that children who are able to set long term goals and delay gratification of immediate short term (but less rewarding) goals, tend to be more successful as adults! Although some of this is innate in one's personality, delay of gratification and self-discipline is a life skill that can be learned and honed with practice. Delay of immediate gratification and the importance of setting long-term goals are qualities that are carefully nurtured through our teachings and with our rewarding progressive belt system for children.
Self Confidence
Where does self-confidence come from? Well, one thing is certain - if is established and nurtured when we are children, we are far more likely to become adults who believe in ourselves, hold ourselves to high standards, do not let disappointments bring us down (too much), and seize the opportunities that life presents to us. It is important to note that karate in no way promotes arrogance or boastfulness, but rather, self-confidence with a generous serving of humility!
Respect
One of the main tenets of karate is respect - respect for yourself, respect for your instructors, respect for your peers, and respect for your opponent. Obviously this emphasis on respect for others is a quality that all of us (adults and children alike) can benefit from and will gradually extend to other people in your child's life (parents, teachers, siblings, friends, etc.).
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