The other day a parent asked, “What is the best way for me to support my child in his karate classes? What is my role? How do I keep balance between being supportive and understanding on one hand...and making sure my child shows enough discipline to reach his goals on the other?”
That’s an excellent question. Today I’m going to share five “little pointers” that will help you and your family benefit from your child’s martial arts training.
Chances are, you are already doing some of these things. But it’s always good to keep these pointers fresh in your mind, because the way we as parent approach martial arts can often be the deciding factor in our child’s success …
All these pointers boil down to one thing: taking an active role!
This is no different than a parent getting involved in our child’s normal school. It’s the child whose parents take an active role who achieves the most academically. The same idea applies in our academy. So, here’s my first tip:
#1 – Watch as Many Classes as You Can
Listen: I know it’s tempting to use your child’s class time for a quick break or as a chance to run some errands. We all need a little extra time now and then. But actively watch as many classes as you can. That’s because watching your child’s class is the #1 most important thing you can do to support them. Something magical happens when you watch their class. They’ll glance over their shoulder and see you watching and they’ll do their best to impress you. They’ll take a greater interest in class themselves and they’ll try harder. Your child feels visible when you watch class. And while we don’t recommend that parents give “tips” or “corrections” from the sidelines, your child does appreciate hearing you say “good job!” and seeing you flash a big thumbs-up when they’re on the floor (always focus on the positive).
Also, watching class keeps you in touch with what is happening in our academy. You’ll hear all the important announcements, get a copy of our newsletter (Oh, by the way, did you get this weeks? J ), stay on top of upcoming events and discover which life skills you should reinforce at home (more on that in a minute). And you might be called on to hold bags or get involved in other ways. Keep showing your support and make your presence known & felt.
#2 - Reinforce Life Skills at Home
By now, you realize martial arts is not just about kicks and punches; and of course the self-defense techniques are valuable, but we also view them as a way of teaching life skills such as discipline, perseverance, respect, courtesy and leadership. These life skills are everything - it’s what sets martial arts apart from every other activity out there. So discuss these life skills at home and reinforce them.
Chances are, you are already doing some of these things. But it’s always good to keep these pointers fresh in your mind, because the way we as parent approach martial arts can often be the deciding factor in our child’s success …
All these pointers boil down to one thing: taking an active role!
This is no different than a parent getting involved in our child’s normal school. It’s the child whose parents take an active role who achieves the most academically. The same idea applies in our academy. So, here’s my first tip:
#1 – Watch as Many Classes as You Can
Listen: I know it’s tempting to use your child’s class time for a quick break or as a chance to run some errands. We all need a little extra time now and then. But actively watch as many classes as you can. That’s because watching your child’s class is the #1 most important thing you can do to support them. Something magical happens when you watch their class. They’ll glance over their shoulder and see you watching and they’ll do their best to impress you. They’ll take a greater interest in class themselves and they’ll try harder. Your child feels visible when you watch class. And while we don’t recommend that parents give “tips” or “corrections” from the sidelines, your child does appreciate hearing you say “good job!” and seeing you flash a big thumbs-up when they’re on the floor (always focus on the positive).
Also, watching class keeps you in touch with what is happening in our academy. You’ll hear all the important announcements, get a copy of our newsletter (Oh, by the way, did you get this weeks? J ), stay on top of upcoming events and discover which life skills you should reinforce at home (more on that in a minute). And you might be called on to hold bags or get involved in other ways. Keep showing your support and make your presence known & felt.
#2 - Reinforce Life Skills at HomeBy now, you realize martial arts is not just about kicks and punches; and of course the self-defense techniques are valuable, but we also view them as a way of teaching life skills such as discipline, perseverance, respect, courtesy and leadership. These life skills are everything - it’s what sets martial arts apart from every other activity out there. So discuss these life skills at home and reinforce them.
For example, at dinner you can say, “What did Master Dinoto say about courtesy today?” or “What was the biggest lesson you picked up in today’s class?” You can talk about life skills at the park when observing other children or you can discuss them at the grocery store. Use all these situations outside of our academy as “teaching opportunities” - a chance to reinforce these positive messages home. If you don’t have a lot of time with your child, use “drive time” (to and from our academy) to back up the life lessons we teach in class. Talk about the Leadership Skill of the month (if you don’t know what it is, ask us or visit Black Belt Leadership). Ask questions to stimulate conversation and get your little martial artist thinking. Reinforcing the life skills your child learns in class is a great way to support your child’s martial arts journey!
#3 - Encourage Practice at Home
We recommend one or two days a week in class for the average student. But like any other athletic activity, your child will benefit from at-home practice. Now don’t worry: You don’t have to go crazy and construct your own dojang in the basement or install crash mats in the living room. Any open area in the home will do just fine. Or, if the weather is nice outside, have them practice in the backyard or at the park (forms look really cool outdoors!).
A good guideline for at-home practice is a couple of 5 to 15 minute sessions per week. Studies prove that students retain information better in frequent, short bursts. So instead of a three-hour “marathon training” on a Saturday afternoon, space home practice sessions into short sessions every other day or so. Frequent practice helps develop “muscle memory” and instant recall in any situation.
Tip #4 – Err on the Side of Commitment
Repetition forms the basis for true mastery. This is true on the job, in academics and in any sport, for that matter. Martial Arts is no different. Routine in martial arts helps develop a student’s “reflexive skills” and the muscle memory I mentioned above (for example, if somebody throws a punch, the student should be able to instinctively block without thinking about it). But - when the repetition part of learning starts to kick in, a student’s feeling of “newness” or “excitement” can start to wane a bit. This simply means they’re entering a new phase of their training. It’s also a signal you should remind them of the goals they set early on.
When your child reaches this phase, encourage them to stick with it. Remind them of the goals they set and the commitment they made. And, once again, use this as a learning opportunity. Explain to them the importance of showing perseverance and focusing on their goals. Give them examples of how YOU had to persevere to achieve something you wanted in your life. Remind them it’s not always “fun” or “exciting” to demonstrate discipline and commitment. However, achieving anything truly great in life will have periods of routine and repetition. Life is not a video game!
How hard should you push? Most parents feel they push “too hard” when in reality, they really don’t. I say, “Err on the side of discipline and commitment”.
For example, a parent recently said, “I don’t push my kid. If he doesn’t want to come to class, I don’t go”. I personally, and professionally, don’t think that’s a good policy: it goes too far in the other direction. Why? Because it allows a child’s emotional whims to determine their behavior and actions. Explain to your child what would happen if this were applied in other areas of their life: What if they didn’t “feel like” brushing their teeth every night? Or didn’t “feel like” doing their homework? Or they didn’t “feel like” going to college? Or they didn’t “feel” like getting a job? What would happen? Help your child understand that the lessons they’re learning now carry over into their adult life - and the sooner they start building their “discipline muscles” the easier life will become. (And isn’t building discipline one of the main reasons you enrolled your child here, anyway?). Encourage your child to go to class every chance he or she gets. Besides: it’s always the one class they don’t want to attend that ends up being the most fun!
#5 – Take a Cue from Other Black Belt Parents
Finally, understand this: The skills a martial arts student needs to reach the rank of black belt are the same skills a parent needs to guide their child to that same rank: Discipline. Sacrifice. Perseverance. “Stick-to-it-ness”. Focus. Commitment. Approach other “black belt parents” and ask them how they achieved their goals as a family. What was the journey like? What sacrifices were required? Was it worth it? (I think you know the answer to that one already!). Other black belt parents will help you crack the code on what it takes to get your child to the ultimate level…black belt!
Use these five tips today and watch your child’s motivation and skill level skyrocket!
And finally, THANK YOU for everything you do. The parents here in our academy are the “unsung heroes” of our programs and the driving force behind all the life at DKC! THANK YOU!
See you on the training floor!
Master Liciaga
Visit our website at http://www.dinotokarate.com/ for more information about our family programs.
NEWS! FLASH! Parents, we now have Adult Boot Camp in the evenings! Visit us at DKC Fitness Boot Camp for more information!
#3 - Encourage Practice at Home
We recommend one or two days a week in class for the average student. But like any other athletic activity, your child will benefit from at-home practice. Now don’t worry: You don’t have to go crazy and construct your own dojang in the basement or install crash mats in the living room. Any open area in the home will do just fine. Or, if the weather is nice outside, have them practice in the backyard or at the park (forms look really cool outdoors!).
A good guideline for at-home practice is a couple of 5 to 15 minute sessions per week. Studies prove that students retain information better in frequent, short bursts. So instead of a three-hour “marathon training” on a Saturday afternoon, space home practice sessions into short sessions every other day or so. Frequent practice helps develop “muscle memory” and instant recall in any situation.
Tip #4 – Err on the Side of Commitment
Repetition forms the basis for true mastery. This is true on the job, in academics and in any sport, for that matter. Martial Arts is no different. Routine in martial arts helps develop a student’s “reflexive skills” and the muscle memory I mentioned above (for example, if somebody throws a punch, the student should be able to instinctively block without thinking about it). But - when the repetition part of learning starts to kick in, a student’s feeling of “newness” or “excitement” can start to wane a bit. This simply means they’re entering a new phase of their training. It’s also a signal you should remind them of the goals they set early on.
When your child reaches this phase, encourage them to stick with it. Remind them of the goals they set and the commitment they made. And, once again, use this as a learning opportunity. Explain to them the importance of showing perseverance and focusing on their goals. Give them examples of how YOU had to persevere to achieve something you wanted in your life. Remind them it’s not always “fun” or “exciting” to demonstrate discipline and commitment. However, achieving anything truly great in life will have periods of routine and repetition. Life is not a video game!
How hard should you push? Most parents feel they push “too hard” when in reality, they really don’t. I say, “Err on the side of discipline and commitment”.
For example, a parent recently said, “I don’t push my kid. If he doesn’t want to come to class, I don’t go”. I personally, and professionally, don’t think that’s a good policy: it goes too far in the other direction. Why? Because it allows a child’s emotional whims to determine their behavior and actions. Explain to your child what would happen if this were applied in other areas of their life: What if they didn’t “feel like” brushing their teeth every night? Or didn’t “feel like” doing their homework? Or they didn’t “feel like” going to college? Or they didn’t “feel” like getting a job? What would happen? Help your child understand that the lessons they’re learning now carry over into their adult life - and the sooner they start building their “discipline muscles” the easier life will become. (And isn’t building discipline one of the main reasons you enrolled your child here, anyway?). Encourage your child to go to class every chance he or she gets. Besides: it’s always the one class they don’t want to attend that ends up being the most fun!
#5 – Take a Cue from Other Black Belt Parents
Finally, understand this: The skills a martial arts student needs to reach the rank of black belt are the same skills a parent needs to guide their child to that same rank: Discipline. Sacrifice. Perseverance. “Stick-to-it-ness”. Focus. Commitment. Approach other “black belt parents” and ask them how they achieved their goals as a family. What was the journey like? What sacrifices were required? Was it worth it? (I think you know the answer to that one already!). Other black belt parents will help you crack the code on what it takes to get your child to the ultimate level…black belt!
Use these five tips today and watch your child’s motivation and skill level skyrocket!And finally, THANK YOU for everything you do. The parents here in our academy are the “unsung heroes” of our programs and the driving force behind all the life at DKC! THANK YOU!
See you on the training floor!
Master Liciaga
Visit our website at http://www.dinotokarate.com/ for more information about our family programs.
NEWS! FLASH! Parents, we now have Adult Boot Camp in the evenings! Visit us at DKC Fitness Boot Camp for more information!
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.