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