| Parents, instructors should monitor a child's use of martial arts | |||||||
| by BUDDY AMATO | |||||||
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It's been a while since I dedicated a column to the questions parents ask on a daily basis. I've answered some of the most commonly asked questions that I feel you would ike to know. Some parents are concerned that their child with the learning disability, ADD, will have difficulty learning martial arts. I've been teaching students diagnosed with ADD my entire life. the only difference now is that they label it. In most cases, children with ADD are easier to teach. They have pent up energy, built up inside ready to be released. In class, they are the first to want to try the new movements and are anything but shy about it. Of course, there are instances when a child with ADD does not know when to slow down. It is my job to take this energy and direct it toward something positive. Another common concern of parents is if martial arts will cause their child to misuse their acquired skills and bully others. The discipline level at the karate dojo/school is very high. students are taught when to use the martial arts. They learn that it is not a skill that should be played around with. However, as a parent, it is important to know that they will want to experiment with what they have learned. this is normal behavior and it is not a problem. Parents and the instructor should keep one another informed on the child's use of the martial arts. With guidance and patience, the child will understand that he or she is to treat the martial arts with respect and not to misuse it. Most children pick up on the fact that there are consequences for bad behavior. Many parents have concerns with the ratio of boys and girls taking the class. In the past classes were all male. That is not the case today. Classes have an equal amount of boys and girls. Adult classes are slightly different. Men outnumber the women. I have found it easier to teach women/girls than men/boys. Females seem to take the martial arts more seriously, they are also more flexible and have an easier time with several of the moves Parents are also concerned with schools that offer low introduction incentives. Many schools offer a lost cost for new students. When the introduction course is complete, they raise the price and have parents sign a contract. Other schools will have a low cost for introduction courses for a long period of time. this will lead you to believe that you are getting a great deal. However, they spread the cost out over weeks. The child is only going to class about once a week. In reality, it is not such a great deal. To avoid surprises, parents should ask in the beginning about the payment plan offered at the end of the introduction courses. Buddy Amato is a Hazlet business owner, who operates Amato's Karate and Weapons Academy. For more information, call (732) 671-9555.
Copyright Buddy Amato Amato's Goju-ryu Karate, Nunchaku, Bo-staff, Aikido, Sword, Kendo, Sais, Kick-boxing, Tai-Chi and more 589 Palmer Ave, Keansburg and is the author of Buddys Animal Kingdom, NJ 07734 (732) 671-9555 |
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