Here’s everything you need to know about martial arts schools and how to choose the best one for your child. Our goal is to make you a “Black Belt” Parent! Understanding the differences between schools enables you to make an educated decision instead of guessing on what school is he best for your child. Don’t be fooled by flashy techniques and window dressing! You are investing in your child’s future – Your Child will Thank You.
The 4 Dangers of Choosing the Wrong Martial Arts Program for your child
1) Wasted Money
All too enough, parents run down to the closest school – or worse – look for the cheapest school, and enroll their child, only to find that weeks or months later their child doesn’t want to go any more. Now, they have wasted their money on a program that did not meet their needs or expectations.
2) Trying New Things
As a parent, you know how difficult it can be to introduce something new to your child. Once they have had a negative experience with anything, it is twice as difficult to get them to try it a second time. If a child does not like their martial arts program, they believe ALL programs are the same, so they will not want to try any other activities.
3) “Life Skills” Education
By not getting your child into a quality martial arts school, they are going to miss the opportunity at “Life Skills” training that is not given any place else – Goal Setting, Self-Discipline, Leadership and Self-Confidence. Imagine your child is at a job interview and it is down to two people – your child and one other candidate. Both have equal schooling and skills, but your child brings up they have skills in Leadership, Public Speaking, Commitment and Goal Setting, and a Black Belt! Who do you think the boss will want to hire?
4) Quality Instruction
Would you rather send your child to a ‘club’ that teaches martial arts as a hobby, a part-time recreational facility that lacks the commitment to invest their best to impart excellent technical skills, character development skills and guidance or a Professional Martial Arts School that operates a full-time, fully equipped facility with instructors and staff that are dedicated to their students and their career. A Professional School will create a learning environment where your child will exceed technically, physically and emotionally.
How to Avoid the 2 Biggest Martial Arts Rip-Offs!
1) Promises of What You Want to Hear
Not all martial arts schools are created equal! Do your research. There are a variety of teaching methods and styles. Contact the schools in your area and more importantly, visit them! Schools have been known to make all kinds of promises over the phone. By visiting the school, you can truly SEE what their program teaches and if they are going to be able to benefit your child. Find out how long the Martial Arts Centre has been in operation? Is the facility matted? Is there adequate space for students to train? Are the instructors qualified and certified to teach? What is the student/instructor ratio?
2) Don’t Sign a 24 Month or Longer Contract
Just about every school will offer an Introductionry Membership. This can range from 1 free class to a discounted 1 month program. The bigger question is “What happens next?” A non-professional school will want you to sign a 2 or 3 year, or even longer contract, right away. The reason behind this is due to the fact that your child will not want to come back after a month or two of classes, but you end up paying the school for years. A school that offers month to month agreements is just as bad. The trouble with month to month agreements is two fold. First, the school can raise its rates ANY TIME it wants to. So you could sign up for a low rate, but within six months, that rate could be doubled. Second, if there are not enough students paying for the month the school will not be around for long. A professional school will generally offer a standard 12 month program for new members. This locks in your rate for 12 months so it cannot be changed. Look for a School that has a long and positive history in your community.
4 Costly Misconceptions About Martial Arts
1) One school is just like another
This could not be any further from the truth. Each school is going to be set up and run in its own fashion. There is no standardization from one school to the next. Don’t settle on your child’s education. Make sure you find the school that best suits your vision for what you are seeking for your child.
2) Martial Arts teaches children to fight or be aggressive
Martial Arts doesn’t teach children to be aggressive – Television does! Children watch TV shows and watch cartoon characters or super heroes punch and kick the “bad guys” and destroy them. It isn’t any wonder that these same children then go to school and use similar techniques on another child that has been mean to them. Quality schools will teach children Conflict Resolution techniques so that they don’t have to punch or kick another child. If a School’s philosophy is to use physical force to handle situations with others, is that in sync with your parenting philosophy? Although, the majority of parents do not want their children to ‘handle’ themselves in the playground with force, all parents want to know that their child can take care of themselves against peers and more importantly against adults in a positive and safe way. Does the martial arts school have an effective self-defense component in their curriculum? Do they offer instruction in ‘Stranger Danger’? Are the instructors certified to teach this delicate topic to children?
3) Martial Arts takes a lot of time out of the week
Basic Martial Arts classes meet twice a week on average. Classes should range between 45 to 50 minutes. Anything longer, child psychologists agree isn’t beneficial. The class tends to become boring and drawn out.
4) That Martial Arts training is for boys only
Absolutely false! In fact in the last decade, the number of girls and women joining martial arts is equal to boys and males. Martial Arts training is the best tool for self-defense and personal protection that cannot be acquired anywhere else. In a professional martial arts environment, girls will increase their self-confidence and self-esteem, while learning valuable skills to help them stay safe.
Why You Want Your Child to Study Martial Arts
Martial Arts offers a variety of benefits to children of all ages:
Increased Focus and Concentration, Better Grades, Goal Setting, Teamwork, and Self-Confidence just to name a few.
No other activity teaches both mental and physical benefits to the extent of Martial Arts.
Martial Arts is also the perfect compliment to any other sport or activity – better eye-hand coordination, stronger legs, better balance, and better cardiovascular ability.
4 Steps to Getting Your Child Started in Martial Arts
1) Make a commitment to act
Many people say they are going to start something, but they never take the first step which is finding the schools in your area.
2) List your objectives
Start a list of the most important objectives. Examples would be: helping your child become more self-confident, finding positive role models for your child, find an activity to help your child lose weight, or any of a hundred other reasons. Make sure the school is going to meet these objectives.
3) Ask questions
Have a list of questions prepared ahead of time. Don’t rely on your memory. You are going to be gathering a lot of information. We can’t tell you the number of times we have had a parent say in an interview “There was something else I was going to ask, but I forgot what it was.” Remember, you are looking for a facility that will empower your child .
4) Act when you find the right school
Similar to step #1, once you find the school that is right for your child, get them started. A professional school will have open enrollment which means new students can join at any time. Start on an Introductory Program which can be 2 to 4 weeks of classes.
Questions to Ask
1. How long have you been in operation?
Like any establishment, the longer it has been in operation, the more likely, they are running a high quality school. Unfortunately, many schools like any other businesses, open and close within the same year. You would not want to make a financial investment just to see the school close for business the next month.
2. Do you have classes that are age and rank appropriate?
If a school puts all the students in one class, the child will not benefit as children of different age groups learn differently. Also, if all ranks are in the same group, it would be like a child in grade 5 training together with a child in grade 1. Both parties would not benefit.
3. Do you teach life skills such as self-discipline in your classes?
Many schools will say that they teach self-discipline, self-control and other important traits, but when you ask them how, they truly do not have a plan in place and simply say that by attending classes, they naturally learn these skills. Although, martial arts in general does place emphasis on these skills, a professional and high quality school will actually have programs in place for each child to learn these skills. Ask them to show you or explain to you how their instructors will teach these character development skills.
4. Is my child restricted to the number of classes he/she can attend?
Some schools will place a restriction on how many classes you can attend or they may even charge additional fees if your child is interested in attending more often. It is okay to be charged additional fees, just make sure you ask upfront, so you are financially prepared. Like anything in life, the more a person puts into, the more you will get out of it.
5. Are we able to visit the school to see a class or even try a complimentary class?
If a school refuses this, we strongly recommend that you look elsewhere. A martial arts school should be welcoming and a complimentary class would be an excellent way to see the class in action and for your child to experience a class before you register.
6. If your child has specific special needs, ask the school if they are welcome and what kind of experience does the staff have working with children with various challenges?
If your child requires special assistance, you definitely want to find a school that will not only welcome him/her but also has the knowledge and skills to work with your child.
7. Are you a member of any Martial Arts Organizations, Professional Associations and Community Groups?
A Martial Arts School that is a certified member of an international organization will have access to official certification for your child. Schools that are also involved in professional and community organizations tend to be committed to providing top notch instruction. Ask to see the Master Instructors Certification and credentials to know that you are learning from a legitimate source.
8. Are the classes instructed by Black Belt Instructors and Masters Instructors?
Too often in non-professional schools or community/recreation centre facilities, higher belt students teach the classes. Would you want to send your child to a school where they are being instructed martial arts, self-defense and life skills by another student who lacks the knowledge? Also, just because someone wears a black belt does not mean they are qualified to teach or are an instructor.
We hope you find the above information helpful and you are ready to register your child in martial arts lessons. If you would like to know if Sirota’s Alchymy is the best environment for your child and family, please contact us.
