Kids Karate

When I started my first karate lesson I was 13 years old. My father was pretty intuitive about people especially kids. He recognized that if I were to learn some sort of discipline early in life, that it may carry on for my entire life and I could use the skills that I had learned in karate class in other parts of my life. He was absolutely correct. At the time he was paying 20 dollars a month for me to attend class three times a week. Truthfully, I was not a natural at it. I had to practice at home in the basement. It seemed like I was uncoordinated and lacked focus. I was a kid and not very interested in sports, so I didn't play football or baseball like other kids.

My father talked to several Karate instructors before he decided on Tom. My instructor was an ex-vietnam vet, who learned Karate on a tour of Korea. As I look back Tom was a good choice for a Karate teacher for me. He was actually pretty ruff on us and I believe that my father knew that I needed this type of instructor if I was going to learn anything. The point I am making is I think that its is very important to know your child when picking out an instructor. Some kids dont need to be pushed like Tom did to me. It just make them close off and not want to learn. It also was important for me to receive support from my father. He would come and watch us spar sometimes and even if I lost he would tell me that, he thought I could win next time if I did this or that.

It is also important to support your son or daughter in any way possible when they are in any class not just Karate. Its not a place to send your kid because they have no where else to go on those days. I didnt really want to go to Karate class, Tom was tough. After several months I worked and received my yellow belt. My whole world began to change from this day on. Five years later I received my black belt. My dad gets all the credit because he searched for the correct instructor and participated in my schooling. Maybe you can give your child a great gift like my dad did. Find the correct school and instructor and your kid will still be thanking you 40 years later.