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