Martial Arts for Children
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Over the last couple of years, my son has been attending Tae Kwon Do lessons, a martial art that originates from Korea. As opposed to karate and kung fu, tae kwon do emphasizes on the leg's power to perform various kicking techniques. The rationale is that the leg is your longest and strongest weapon, and kicks thus have the greatest potential to execute powerful strikes.
Yes, it's a contact sport, and apart from learning the kicking and blocking techniques, students also go for sparring sessions, where they are pitted against each other to demonstrate the practical application and control of attack and self-defense techniques.
Sounds violent? Not really. All of these are performed in a safe environment, with padded flooring, shin and arm guards and other padded head and chest protectors, and beginners are not really allowed to make contact. Many parents worry that enrolling their children in martial arts classes encourage violence. But this is totally unfounded. In fact, one of the basic tenets of the International Tae Kwon Do Federation says, "I shall be a champion of justice and freedom" and "I shall build a better and peaceful world."
Aside from the exercise, martial arts lessons also encourage other life skills, such as self-confidence, courtesy, discipline, respects and concentration. In fact, martial arts therapy is also being used to treat certain psychosocial or behavioral issues.