Has anyone here registered their kids with any Martial Arts institutes?
Which form of Martial Arts did you choose and why ? ( Karate, Taekwondo etc ) Can you advise please which is the most advanced form of Martial Arts.
Also how old should a child be ideally to start learning this art?
Re: Martial Arts for Kiddo
My oldest is 5 and he got interested in taking a class at 4.5 when he saw one of the older (about 6-7 yr old) kid in his after school.
I inquired around at that time and it seemed most of the classes around us were offered for 5 year old.
I did some searching and there were some institutes that offered class for 4 year old but I did not register him in any class. I just told him we will get it later.
I probably will get him when he is 6.
I do not know which form I will choose but I will probably take him along and let him choose whatever he likes after seeing a class.
Re: Martial Arts for Kiddo
CB Taekwondo is better, as I myself used to in Taekwondo when I was a kid
Taekwondo = Korean (more emphasizes on kicks )
Karaty = Japanese (more emphasizes on punches)
Kids are flexible so best age starts with 5-6
Re: Martial Arts for Kiddo
I assessed that you just wanted your child to learn self defense, but if your child really has a craze then go for MMA (mix martial arts) most advanced.
MMA = teaches all good techniques of every form of martial arts
Re: Martial Arts for Kiddo
Do you want your son to be a walking tank? 
J/k. Each and every art is unique.There’s Jiu-Jitso, Ninjutsu, Kung Fu, Karate and quite a few others and depends on what your son is interested in 
I don’t have a son but I do have a brother who’s into this type of stuff. He started at a relatively young age, around 5-7 but we had to get him off the course after a while cause he was used to get really hyper with us. So you may also need to look in that. But I think you should enroll your son into a basic course and then he can choose what he likes or make him watch loads of kung fu films and then he can choose what he likes.
Re: Martial Arts for Kiddo
yup , I do have Taekwondo in mind.
Actually its not only self defense techniques I want him to learn. I want him to gain the physical strength but also the mental strength that comes with it. I dont know if I can explain this. This art is not all about physical defenses right? Just want to empower him and enable him to channelize his energy in a positive manner
So like how karate has a belt system of expertise gained, how does Taekwondu work? Also is there any form of martial arts that teaches spiritual strength as well?
Thanks so much buddies for an awesome insight
Re: Martial Arts for Kiddo
First time mommies 
I want my son (who’s 1 like yours) to be into some kind of sport when he’s older … but I want to wait until he’s old enough to show some kind of interest. I don’t think it would be fair of me to put choose an activity for him without his input. When they’re around 3/4 kids usually know what they like and want to be part of so I think you might want to wait until that age …
I was set on my daughter joining ballet when she was a baby (I think I was set on it before she was even born … first time mom syndrome!!) and even though she likes to dance and twirl she shows more interest in gymnastics and has asked me to put her in it. So that’s what we’ll do.
Re: Martial Arts for Kiddo
Both has similar ranking system (Dan and Grades)
However, all martial arts almost teaches mental strength (except few), but Taekwondo is no way near than Karate if you want spiritual strength.
Taekwondo = physical strength
Karate = both (physical and spiritual)
For spiritual and mental, You can check for Shaolin, Kung fu, Tai Chi, Aikido and traditional karate (which involve meditation techniques)
Re: Martial Arts for Kiddo
I think kids should be at least around 4-5 years before you register them for martial arts/sports.
My husband used to train kickboxing (higher age tho) and they had classes for Taekwando/Karate at the same place and here they don’t register them until they’re in class 1 which is 6-7 years old. So do check up how the rules are around you.
In other sports it may be different, for instance my son joined football training when he was 4 years old.
Re: Martial Arts for Kiddo
I want my daughter to do that as well, when I wanted to do ballet it become to late so I’ve always wanted my kids do it.
I’ve done extra-curricular activities and did martial arts for a little while but I wished I started some of them much earlier in life. That way they don’t interfere in the education when exams are more important, because by starting young you will have achieved a lot in the activity and become experts in one way that it won’t be much learning later on when exams become the focus.
I would start sending them to clubs from 4 onwards, but martial arts should be 6/7 so that they are more aware.
Re: Martial Arts for Kiddo
Excellent stuff , thanks so much Tiger , really appreciate this . Please tell me abit more about Kung fu .. What is that all about and how it compares to Karate and Taekwondo..
yes , I am after both physical as well as spiritual strength , I think eventually that is what helps one channelize all their energy while also benefiting from self defense
If someone is black belt in Karate , how would that compare in strength with a kung fu expert?
Re: Martial Arts for Kiddo
i agree about sports for kids!
Re: Martial Arts for Kiddo
CB, it’s impossible to compare martial arts with each other, as every art has its pros and cons, but the real problem is to choose the style; because they all have their own styles.
Kung Fu - More than 300 styles
Taekwondo - 70 - 80
Karatte - round about 50 -
SOME GOOD STYLES:
KARATE: Okinawan (traditional), Shotokan and Kyokushin (Japanese)
KUNG FU: Wing Chun, Choy Li Fat, Dragon and some others.
Kung Fu has a long history, and all other arts watered down from it; therefore, it’s a traditional art and has no ranking system, but some schools are giving belts (sash) and ranks, and it is just to remember student’s identity and has nothing to do with outside. Bruce Lee was also against the ranking system.
P.S: Bruce Lee’s style was Wing Chun Kung Fu
Re: Martial Arts for Kiddo
Martial arts is very good for children. You learn not only how to defend yourself but your loved ones too. You also learn respect and discipline. It helps you focus and relax too and is good exercise. There are sport martial arts and traditional. Sport martial arts help increase your physical strength, speed and stamina more. They help build your work ethic also. Most of these arts do not include weapons. Traditional arts help build more respect and discipline. You learn ways to quickly disabled or even kill your opponent if your life is in immediate danger. You learn the laws of the place you reside at. A lot of these include weapons.
One should be well balanced in striking, ground, multiple opponents, traditional and sport martial arts. In my view MMA or Mixed Martial Arts is the best for sport marital arts. One of the best weapon martial art in the world is the Filipino martial art of Kali or Arnis. When the child is older then they can have small arms training from someone with a military background.
If it is between Karate and Taekwondo then I would do Karate as it is better for self-defense.
Re: Martial Arts for Kiddo
Thanks Pashtun and Tiger , you guys have been awesome help ..
Another question , how long does it take to learn an art to its maximum? and then do you practice daily to keep up with it?
Supposing someone has learnt Karate in 4 years , if they then decide to start on Kung fu , is that a new training all together or will the kid’s previously learnt art help them ?
Re: Martial Arts for Kiddo
Takes ages and proper dedication to learn an art to it’s maximum. If someone changes what they are doing, it will depend on what they are changing from and what are they changing to. There will obviously be an advantage to them if we’re talking about fitness and different instincts.