It's no secret that toddlers have boundless energy. And as a parent, determining how to channel that energy is no easy task.
One of the best sports for helping young children channel their high energy levels is martial arts. A common misconception is that martial arts is about learning how to fight, but in reality, it's about building discipline, self-esteem, and physical fitness in an encouraging environment.
Here are five reasons why your toddler can benefit from taking part in martial arts:
Prepare for school
Martial arts exposes children to a structured learning environment and teaches kids how to adapt to new surroundings with unfamiliar people, similar to their first experiences in school. Initially, this is challenging for preschool-aged kids, but they can develop confidence through fun drills and activities. As a result, martial arts athletes learn to find new environments less intimidating.
Encourage an Active Lifestyle
The earlier kids try fitness, the more likely they will adopt an active lifestyle for the rest of their lives. Children under five years old should spend at least three hours a day being physically active. Martial arts keep toddlers engaged and moving for the entire class while helping children build strength, coordination, and balance.
Build self-esteem and confidence
The earlier kids try fitness, the more likely they will adopt an active lifestyle for the rest of their lives. Children under five years old should spend at least three hours a day being physically active. Martial arts keep toddlers engaged and moving for the entire class while helping children build strength, coordination, and balance.
Develop Social Skills
All activities in martial arts class promote sportsmanship, fair play, teamwork, and camaraderie. Learning new martial arts techniques requires partner work, so students naturally develop a rapport and rhythm while working together. The experiences create a bond that extends beyond the mat. These skills are essential to excel in school, team sports, and other extracurricular activities.
Improve Focus and Concentration
Toddlers may have notoriously short attention spans, but Martial arts emphasizes focus and concentration. Learning combinations require a toddler's full attention span to execute with coordination, strength, and accuracy. Targets are various sizes, which requires kids to problem-solve to determine the best technique to complete the challenge. And at more advanced stages, targets expand to demand an extra layer of focus.
Asphalt Green offers martial arts classes for children and adults at both our Upper East Side and Battery Park City campuses. To register, choose your desired campus below: