| Practicing the martial arts provides distinct advantages | | | | listen and thoroughly absorb the lessons. Your toddler |
| for older children and adults. Did you know that | | | | will also learn to focus and follow through on tasks; |
| toddler-age children could also greatly benefit from the | | | | dawdling and impulsivity aren't allowed! The sensei will |
| martial arts as well? Karate and Tae Kwan Do not | | | | re-direct your child's focus to mastering the task at |
| only provide toddlers with exciting experiences with | | | | hand; movements that can only be learned by strict |
| other children, but these arts also encourage motor skill | | | | focus. Your toddler will be required to memorize the |
| coordination, concentration, and self-confidence. Add | | | | order and types of movements, performing them |
| these skills with a touch of ancient Eastern wisdom, | | | | flawlessly when prompted by the sensei. Thus, when |
| and your toddler will be learning life lessons that will | | | | he begins school, your toddler will have a distinct edge |
| serve him well in the years to come. (Note: although | | | | in learning language and abstract arithmetic skills. |
| the pronouns "him" and "his" are used here, the martial | | | | Toddlers want everything they want whenever they |
| arts are just as effective for girls!) | | | | want it. We know that the world doesn't work this |
| Between the ages of two and five, your toddler is | | | | way; we must earn what we receive, and have the |
| growing in mind, body and spirit. These ages are | | | | patience to work our way towards a goal. In the |
| distinctly important, as they set the tone for your | | | | martial arts, toddlers learn that instant gratification isn't |
| toddler's life pattern of behavior. Childhood | | | | realistic and self discipline exists. Each set of |
| development experts recommend that toddlers | | | | movements must be learned in sequence rather than |
| participate in physical and mental activities to | | | | in a haphazard manner. Your toddler will learn respect |
| encourage personality growth, physical maturity, and | | | | for authority by showing respect for his sensei in all |
| socialization with others. The martial arts effectively | | | | things. |
| provide these experiences in a variety of ways. | | | | Your toddler will learn that unprovoked aggression is |
| While your toddler is growing, his muscles and bones | | | | never appropriate. The martial arts are defensive in |
| must develop strength and agility. Physical | | | | nature; your toddler will learn that amicably getting |
| development occurs only when a toddler receives | | | | along with others results from the self confidence of |
| adequate exercise that including stretching, bending | | | | knowing that he isn't going to be harmed by |
| and muscle-building movements. | | | | schoolyard bullies. As he bows to his opponent, your |
| Have you noticed how clumsy toddlers can be? | | | | toddler learns to show respect to others, increasing his |
| Although they have mastered the fine art of walking, | | | | own confidence. His mastery of the martial arts also |
| they seem to trip over many things, including their own | | | | teaches him that he can succeed in life tasks, thus |
| two feet! The martial arts excel at teaching your | | | | building a confident, intrepid adult. |
| toddler motor skill coordination, precision movements | | | | Your toddler's sensei will expose him to the enduring |
| that increase hand-eye coordination and foot/leg | | | | wisdom of Eastern philosophy and the ancient world. |
| movements that help him learn balance and move him | | | | These are the concepts of avoiding foolish and |
| past the toddler "wobbles." | | | | self-destructive behavior, service to others, tolerance |
| How long is your toddler's attention span? How about | | | | for differences, patience, loyalty and caution. |
| his ability to focus on tasks until they're completed? Is | | | | Finding a martial arts program for your toddler isn't |
| he able to memorize and retain information at a rate | | | | difficult; most local dojos (schools) can provide you |
| appropriate for his age? The martial arts require | | | | with information about toddlers' programs. After only a |
| toddlers to concentrate and pay close attention to the | | | | few months in a martial arts program for toddlers, your |
| instructions of the sensei (teacher); to be successful in | | | | child will gain invaluable skills! |
| the martial arts and in their lives, toddlers must learn to | | | | |