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Anyone's kids take karate?

Bythebeach09Bythebeach09 member
in Parenting
I'm looking for a good activity for DS, 4. I've heard karate/taekwondo is good for teaching respect, discipline, concentration, etc. and DS could use all of that, and some. We have him in swimming with DD. He was doing awesome, but the past couple of months he has been outright refusing to listen to his teacher, who he's had for several months. DD is excelling and surpassing him in skills and he spends the majority of the lesson saying no and reviewing the rules. I put them in swimming for safety. We have a pool and it's essential that they learn water safety. I don't want to pull him out of swimming, but I feel like I'm dumping money in the toilet.

I was thinking of taking a break from swimming (just him) and trying something else, like karate.

I know nothing about karate. Any advice? What should I be looking for?
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Re: Anyone's kids take karate?

  • Bythebeach09Bythebeach09 member
    Awesome! Thanks!
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  • Bythebeach09Bythebeach09 member
    Oh, I didn't realize that.

    Thank you for the input.
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  • [Deleted User][Deleted User] member
    Our gym (bjj and muy thai) will evaluate the child's readiness, attention span, etc.

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  • RondackHikerRondackHiker member
    On my local groupon there are a lot of different types of kids classes, including different martial arts. Some of the schools have good ratings too, so that's worth looking into.

    DS's energy is endless, so we will sign him up for a few different physical classes this winter, even if they're not regular enough to get the full benefit from each one (we can't afford three karate classes a week).


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  • Bythebeach09Bythebeach09 member
    I'll check out groupon. Thanks.

    Yeah, we can't afford 3 days a week of anything but school (and that's a stretch) but I guess he can get something out of it if just once a week. Something is better than nothing.

    I literally know not one soul who ever did karate or sent their kid to karate so I'm going into this totally green. I've got some research to do.
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  • CLLDLLCLLDLL member
    Dirty Lurker here.  Hai :-h

    DS1 is about 9 months away from getting his black belt in Tae Kwon Do.  We've been at it since he was 6 (so about 3 years).  It has been awesome for him.  He was also one that struggled with following the rules/showing respect at a younger age. 

    I do agree with PP that you'll want to try to attend at least a couple times a week if not three times at first.  They really need that consistency and repetitiveness to really grow.  That being said, if once a week is all you can swing, something is better than nothing.  

    At age 4, the most important things to look for are 1.) Is it fun for your son?  2.) Are the instructors consistent?  3.) Do the kids a year or two older than your son look like they have learned something about kicks/punches and paying attention? 4.) Is there some sort of element of chores or other responsibility that they do outside of class?  (this was a huge new skill for my son that has served him very well.)

    As far as picking a school, the best advice I can give you is talk to parents of kids that have been doing it for a while.  We thankfully avoided a school that a friend of mine had tried that was more about weaseling you out of your money than teaching karate.  I also have a co-worker who's using a school he dislikes right now because they are a bit more about having fun than teaching real karate...not always a bad thing, but not what my co-worker was hoping his kids would get out of it. 

    Definitely watch or audit a class or two at any schools you are seriously considering before you sign anything.  Our school offers pay by the week, the month, or the year with a discount for paying by the year. Uniforms are thrown in at no extra cost. We do pay extra for any sparring gear or weapons & whenever he tests we pay a testing fee that covers the exam and his new belt. 

    I'm willing answer any other specific questions you might have.  Just page me or PM me. 
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  • Bythebeach09Bythebeach09 member
    Thanks for all of the tips! Much appreciated!
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