Choosing a Martial Arts for Your Child Based on Personality Traits

Martial arts has been a form of exercise, knowledge and discipline for many years. It comes from different countries with different styles to suit each individual's needs. You and your children are exposed to it in movies, TV shows and video games, so it is only natural for a child to want to take a class and learn how to fight.

But there is more to martial arts than just learning to fight. It is not about the violence that is so appealing on film, but about the discipline and choices made. If you have a child interested in learning martial arts then check classes carefully and make the right decision for the child's personality.

Always talk to the instructor. Ask how he or she would handle a child's special injury needs. If the instructors believes in working through the pain no matter what then you are going to end up with large medical bills. Children are still growing and developing so if there is an injury or special need the techniques learned must be accommodated to the situation. I don't believe in causing further injury when a change in technique or style will do just as well.

First you must decide what type of art would be best for your child and make sure they are going to learn what they need to protect themselves or possibly protect others from them. Some children's personalities are not suited for hard fighting techniques if they are going to end up hurting someone. You can make informed decisions about the right class by watching your child.

1. Type one child - The Mild Child. If your child is less aggressive and small or shy then you will want to put them in a class that will increase the abilities and build confidence. This type of child is usually suited for a Karate type of art. There are kicks, punches and routines learned with just enough aggression to melt some of the meekness away. They learn confidence about their own abilities while building strength. In competitions they will be well trained and have the chance to achieve trophy's and recognition for their techniques.

2. Type two child - The Bully. If your child leans toward being a bully on the play ground or with in the family you will want to find a class to wear him/her out and teach respect. Judo or a good Jiu Jitsu class provides a needed physical outlet, good techniques and respect for what others can do if that respect is ignored. The style teaches respect for others as well as yourself and the confidence of not having to prove yourself with force.

3. Type three child - The Peace Child. This child is special in every way because they embrace everything good in others. They are easily taken advantage of because of their gentle nature. This child needs just a little more aggression, but will only hurt another person or animal if they have to. They do not care for violence of any kind, but they will like the beauty of movement. Tai Chi is a great Chinese art of movement. It will teach techniques in the gentlest of form while building physical strength. They will learn to care for themselves with gentle techniques just enough to become aware of their surroundings.

4. Type four child - The Child Without Direction. This child cannot concentrate on anything for long. They go from one project to the next with emotional ups and downs in between. They have a hard time making a decision and sticking to it for any period of time. If you can find an Aikido instructor in the area it would be great for this type of child. Techniques are in circular motions and there is always change. They will learn many, many different techniques to prevent a fight, avoid a fight or concentrating to change a situation in to one of calm victory. It is an art of so much variety the child will not even know they are learning in their own way of thinking.

If you follow the plan above you will find an art perfect for your child, but if they are getting hurt too often in class then change the art. The idea is not to teach a child how to endure pain, but to learn self control and good decision making. They will learn to fight just like they wanted but it will be with discipline and knowledge for survival.