There’s no doubt about it: pre-school age children look adorable in karate uniforms! But martial arts training for this age group provide more than cute photo and video opportunities to share on Facebook™, Instagram™, or Pinterest™. Many of the same benefits that older children, teenagers, and adults receive as a result of training in a quality martial arts program can be gained by kids age two to five years old. That’s on a slightly smaller scale, of course!
Karate is a great tool for getting young children started on a physical fitness routine. Exercise can actually be fun! It helps prevent obesity, and develops better focus and gross motor skills. Pre-schoolers develop self-confidence practicing martial arts in a setting designed specially for children. They are taught valuable pre-school lessons like kindness and honesty that will help shape the rest of their lives. Children develop these life skills and use them at home and at school. Even daycare workers and schoolteachers notice the difference.
Courtesy, self-control, and other traits improve across all ages through karate training. The basic elements of a martial arts program designed for pre-school children are the same. Pre-schoolers are taught to respect one another as well as their teachers, parents, and instructors. Mind and body improve with help from caring, capable, and experienced martial arts role models.
With focus on attention and awareness, instructors prepare very young “karate kids” to become good students. Pre-schoolers are taught – at a level appropriate for their ages – to memorize form, technique, and quality within the martial arts. They learn to apply their life lessons at home and at daycare. This helps children learn memory skills essential for success in school and beyond. Martial arts give pre-school age kids a solid foundation from which to build their bright futures.