| Practicing the martial arts provides distinct | | | | and thoroughly absorb the lessons. Your toddler |
| advantages for older children and adults. Did you | | | | will also learn to focus and follow through on |
| know that toddler-age children could also greatly | | | | tasks; dawdling and impulsivity aren't allowed! The |
| benefit from the martial arts as well? Karate and | | | | sensei will re-direct your child's focus to mastering |
| Tae Kwan Do not only provide toddlers with | | | | the task at hand; movements that can only be |
| exciting experiences with other children, but these | | | | learned by strict focus. Your toddler will be |
| arts also encourage motor skill coordination, | | | | required to memorize the order and types of |
| concentration, and self-confidence. Add these skills | | | | movements, performing them flawlessly when |
| with a touch of ancient Eastern wisdom, and your | | | | prompted by the sensei. Thus, when he begins |
| toddler will be learning life lessons that will serve | | | | school, your toddler will have a distinct edge in |
| him well in the years to come. (Note: although the | | | | learning language and abstract arithmetic skills. |
| pronouns "him" and "his" are used here, the martial | | | | The best things in life are not free. Hard work and |
| arts are just as effective for girls!) | | | | discipline get you what you want and help you |
| Between the ages of two and five, your toddler | | | | reach your goals. Unfortunately, toddlers only |
| is growing in mind, body and spirit. These ages are | | | | know that they want everything now. There is no |
| distinctly important, as they set the tone for your | | | | later; there is no waiting. Right away is all that |
| toddler's life pattern of behavior. Childhood | | | | matters. In the martial arts, toddlers get their first |
| development experts recommend that toddlers | | | | taste of reality and learn self-discipline. They learn |
| participate in physical and mental activities to | | | | that they have to take things step by step and |
| encourage personality growth, physical maturity, | | | | master each step before moving on to the next. |
| and socialization with others. The martial arts | | | | There are no shortcuts. |
| effectively provide these experiences in a variety | | | | Your toddler will learn that unprovoked aggression |
| of ways. | | | | is never appropriate. The martial arts are |
| While your toddler is growing, his muscles and | | | | defensive in nature; your toddler will learn that |
| bones must develop strength and agility. Physical | | | | amicably getting along with others results from |
| development occurs only when a toddler receives | | | | the self confidence of knowing that he isn't going |
| adequate exercise that including stretching, | | | | to be harmed by schoolyard bullies. As he bows |
| bending and muscle-building movements. | | | | to his opponent, your toddler learns to show |
| Have you noticed how clumsy toddlers can be? | | | | respect to others, increasing his own confidence. |
| Although they have mastered the fine art of | | | | His mastery of the martial arts also teaches him |
| walking, they seem to trip over many things, | | | | that he can succeed in life tasks, thus building a |
| including their own two feet! The martial arts | | | | confident, intrepid adult. |
| excel at teaching your toddler motor skill | | | | Your toddler's sensei will expose him to the |
| coordination, precision movements that increase | | | | enduring wisdom of Eastern philosophy and the |
| hand-eye coordination and foot/leg movements | | | | ancient world. These are the concepts of avoiding |
| that help him learn balance and move him past | | | | foolish and self-destructive behavior, service to |
| the toddler "wobbles." | | | | others, tolerance for differences, patience, loyalty |
| How long is your toddler's attention span? How | | | | and caution. |
| about his ability to focus on tasks until they're | | | | These days finding a martial arts program for |
| completed? Is he able to memorize and retain | | | | your child isn't difficult. A reputable school (dojo) |
| information at a rate appropriate for his age? The | | | | will allow you to sit in a class at any time and |
| martial arts require toddlers to concentrate and | | | | watch your child's progress. Don't be afraid to ask |
| pay close attention to the instructions of the | | | | questions and stay for a couple of classes to see |
| sensei (teacher); to be successful in the martial | | | | how the instructors interact with all the students. |
| arts and in their lives, toddlers must learn to listen | | | | Who knows? You might want to join the fun too! |