Martial arts can be an incredibly transformative experience at any stage of life. Students benefit in many ways that range from increased mental well-being to significant physical fitness and strength gains. Many adults that adopted a training
practice have seen these benefits compound into different areas of their lives, such as mindfulness, productivity, and resilience. These rewards have helped increase the number of people flocking to martial arts as a form of exercise and self-development. These are just some reasons why there is a rising influx of children into martial arts as a valuable extracurricular activity.
With nationwide lockdowns, virtual schooling, and restrictions on various activities 
and excursions for youths, martial arts is an excellent alternative and addition to their lives. As a father of 3, I have personally seen the effects that this pandemic has had on my kids. I have also been amazed at the positive effect that occurred when they were able to get back to their physical activities and be around their friends and other kids.
Currently, children face unprecedented disruption to their education and their schedules and routines as parents have struggled to juggle both full-time work and 
parenting from home. Martial arts offer a reprieve from some of these pressures and brings enjoyment to kids for several reasons.
I have watched many kids benefit from taking classes, whether virtual or in-person, especially during this challenging time. Here are our top 5 reasons why now is the best time for kids to start taking martial arts classes.
Top 5 Benefits of Martial Arts for Kids
1.) Learn a New Skill
Classes offer something new for the students to learn every time they come, whether it is a new technique or advancing an older one. The variety that is provided maintains 
engagement in a fun and welcoming atmosphere.
Covid has placed so many restrictions on children in particular. It’s easy for them to find themselves bored or stuck inside. Their screen times have been increased, whether watching tv, playing video games and possibly even for school. Martial arts entertains in a healthier manner that is more conducive to the child’s wellbeing by teaching them how to deal with a wide range of challenges.
2.) Community
Joining a martial arts academy offers much more than just a technical lesson; it also provides a community of peers and mentors to its students. This is an excellent addition or substitute for a child when schooling has been online or subject to strict social distancing guidelines.
3.) Discipline
One of the most essential skills for anyone to learn at any age is discipline. Martial arts
creates and teaches a regular habit of discipline that will make your child a better student in the gym, at home, and in school. This can help them to adopt feedback better, face challenges easier, and reach goals quicker.
Ensuring and maintaining discipline is pivotal to the student’s progression, especially in turbulent times such as these. Discipline offers a grounding force amidst the instability.
4.) Communication
Good communication skills are one of the most significant attributes of overall success. Martial arts teaches children how to communicate clearly, effectively, and concisely with a wide range of ages and backgrounds.
As more and more interactions have moved online during the pandemic, it is incredibly crucial for youths to continue to develop their communication skills in an in-person setting where they are exposed to new friends and mentors alike.
5.) Fitness
Martial arts is an excellent way of developing a regular exercise routine. Classes build overall strength and fitness, as well as establish flexibility and mobility. Exercise is known to combat feelings of anxiety and depression and contributes to an overall sense of well being. Participating in a martial arts class will not only help students to build a strong and healthy body, but it also helps to build a strong and healthy mind.
Stay at home orders, quarantines and lockdowns leave many children without a healthy outlet for their energy. It’s incredibly important for them to be involved in activities that challenge their bodies and their minds. Martial arts offers a channel for both.
Our Plantation Martial Arts Academy offers Kids Martial Arts to children ages 3 and up, as well as Adult Martial Arts. In fact, we have many Plantation and Davie families that train together and they find it rewarding to be able to spend quality family time while learning martial arts.
For more information about Kids Martial Arts at John Wai Martial Arts in Plantation, visit: JohnWaiMartialArts.com or check us out on our Instagram!
About the Author
John Wai started training martial arts in his early teens. He opened his first martial arts academy in Plantation in 1997 and has been teaching Kids & Adult Martial Arts in Plantation for the past 24 years.