Encourage Your Kids to Practice Their Karate Katas
As parents, we enroll our kids in karate classes to help them stay fit and learn discipline. Children aged 10 and below might find it difficult living the real spirit of the art. They could need a bit of help dealing with the discipline aspect.
No matter how good the sensei is, students are still expected to practice outside the dojo. Practice helps them remember their katas (body positioning and movement exercises) and have a more personal connection with the movements.
Below are 3 tips to help you encourage your children to practice martial arts, even without their sensei around.
1. Read up and understand
Although there is no way you can substitute for the sensei, it will be helpful if you read up on martial arts and understand the underlying philosophies of the art. Go the extra mile and talk to your children’s sensei about your desire to help your kids apply the discipline at home.
Reading up will get you on the same page with your children. Using their terms will tell them that you mean business and it shows that you’re sincerely interested in what they’re good at.
2. Give them space
Katas require space. For every athletic endeavor, whether your child is a pro or a beginner, safety is of primary importance. If your house or backyard lacks the space, then you can just head off to the public playground.
Most playgrounds have already installed rubber mulch flooring to protect children from impact-related accidents. A playground also trains your children to maintain their focus since there could be a lot of movement in the playground, especially during weekends or after school.
3. Go to their test days and matches
Being there for them through and through will boost their confidence level. Your support will fuel their desire to break their own records. Eventually, they’ll have a deeper understanding and appreciation of their art.
