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Original poster

YES/NO Martial arts for 6yo DS?

52 replies

Sixer · 22/10/2007 09:25

He has been in trouble at school quite a bit. DP and I are now starting to think maybe Martial Arts will help with the discipline. I am afraid he will learn a judo kick and go into school and use it. Could we be adding fuel to fire. Help us decide please.

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Original poster
Sixer · 22/10/2007 09:40

please!

OP posts:
dooley1 · 22/10/2007 09:41

sounds a good idea to me

Carmenere · 22/10/2007 09:42

I would say yes, particularly because a good teacher will impose upon them how they absolutely must not use anything they learn outside the dojo.

Original poster
Sixer · 22/10/2007 09:46

thank you for your replies. Do either of you have experience of martial arts. The reason i ask, is our neighbour thinks Judo will be best, however i have found there are so many to choose from, we also have the decision which one will be best for DS.

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Carmenere · 22/10/2007 09:49

I've done martial arts and I think that judo is as good as any of them. Lots of throws ect that he will love.

phdlife · 22/10/2007 09:49

You really need to investigate the sensei (teacher) carefully. Some are macho twats, full of swagger and aggression. Others are gentle, disciplined and kind. The teacher makes all the difference to the entire class, not only about not using it outside the dojo, but also how the littlies are treated in the dojo.

Carmenere · 22/10/2007 09:50

Yes agree, go along and sit in on a class to get an idea of how it is.

phdlife · 22/10/2007 09:50

Just read your last post sixer -

me and dh did ju jitsu which, taught by that particular sensei, was very defensive (rather than offensive, IYSWIM). It combines judo and... um something else which I should know but can't remember

DirtyGertiefromnumber30 · 22/10/2007 09:51

my ds (4) does a martial art. it is very disciplined and strict even at that age. the teacher (to be called Sir at all times) demands respect and the kids adore him. they know that it is an absolute 'no no' to use any of the moves outside of the lesson or else they are banned from the class.
It definately will help with the discipline. i only have to mention 'telling sir' and he falls straight into line!

DirtyGertiefromnumber30 · 22/10/2007 09:52

oh, he does taekwondo

Original poster
Sixer · 22/10/2007 09:56

This is really helpful. Thank you everyone. I'm starting to feel more positive towards the martial arts/judo idea. Although i know I will worry myself totally grey every day I drop him off at school. (Thats my problem i know). It's about DS and helping him with his temper/agression.

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DirtyGertiefromnumber30 · 22/10/2007 09:57

He does the little puma classes which i think run nationwide. The classes are great because they have themes every quarter which they learn in addition to taekwondo such as 'stranger danger', 'emergency skills', 'concentration', 'coordination' etc.

Original poster
Sixer · 22/10/2007 09:57

DirtyGertie how did you decide taekwondo was right for your DS?

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DirtyGertiefromnumber30 · 22/10/2007 10:02

his 6 yo cousin went to the class and loved it, we went to watch a few times and i realy liked the feel of the class. tbh though i didnt research any other martial arts because this one had come recommended.

erniesmama · 22/10/2007 10:18

My DSs do (5&9) do karate and I think it is brilliant exercise and also very disciplined. What I really, really like too is that the young men teaching them are fantastic role models -- together, sensible and funny. They respect the kids and the kids resepct them. And I don't find it macho; lots of girls do the classes too, btw. Most places do taster sessions so you can go along and get a feel for the club and see if it has the right atmosphere.

Moomalicious · 22/10/2007 16:18

I'm a little biased as I have done Karate from age 5 and my father has been running Karate clubs for 30+ years but I would highly recommend it for any child having problems with aggression and anger. The whole philosophy is one on self control, respect for yourself and others and most of all tolerance. As others have said, there are great role models within the discipline and an absolute ban on it being used outside of the dojo. Do sit in on various classes as even within the different martial arts disciplines (Judo/Karate/Tai Kwondo etc) there are different styles and you want to find a club that has an ethos you feel will fit with your child. As for me, I believe that learning Karate has enabled me to feel confident and calm in confrontational situations and this can only be a good thing for children these days. Best of luck to you!

JodieG1 · 22/10/2007 16:22

Judo there are no kicks, it's more defensive. My 5 year old dd does karate and loves it.

EmsMum · 22/10/2007 16:26

Karate is also good for children who are somewhat lacking physical confidence.

DD came home with 'rules of the dojo' - it is a discipline.

Try it out - but probably a good idea in your case to have a word with the instructors first so they know what the issues are with your DS.

One of DDs classmates who does it has a father who is an orthopaedic surgeon. He reckons karate is safer than judo in terms of likelihood to injure themselves, FWIW

sKerryMum · 22/10/2007 16:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sparkybabe · 22/10/2007 16:30

2 of my dss do Karate and love it, they are 15 and 10 and have done it for about 4 years. They are very controlled in their lessons and are not allowed to mess about. One of my boys also did tae kwan do , but one of the teachers was as weak as p**s and one was really shouty so he gave it up. Try and do free 'taster' lessons if you can.

Meglet · 23/10/2007 16:56

yes, he will proabably love it! I did kickboxing for years and the little ones had a whale of a time. But check out the classes first. Some of the teachers are a bit macho.

Why don't you go too? I saw lots of parents that started with their kids. You can practise grading together. It pummels your body into shape too .

scorpio1 · 23/10/2007 16:57

Yes!

my dp is well in to thai boxing and we cant wait until dcs are 6-then they can go too. it will be great.

Flibbertyjibbet · 23/10/2007 17:11

Ooo yes. There was an incredibly disruptive boy at my junior school, parents sent him to judo to burn off some of his incredible amounts of energy and it transformed him as he got very good at it so instead of being told off all the time for being disruptive he got praise and confidence from doing something he was good at.
An old friend of mine was about 6millionth dan at karate and teaches it now, he is a complete sedentary geek the rest of the time so its not just for agressive alpha males.
There is a martial arts school near me that takes them from 3 yo. Ds1 will be 3 at xmas and is getting one of the judo suits for xmas as he is starting lessons in Jan!!
Can't wait!

ingles2 · 23/10/2007 18:40

Ok here's my tuppence worth..ds's have been doing Karate for the last year, all was going well, neither we're that confident to start with and they came on leaps and bounds..then came grading! OMG it was horrific! Nothing but shouting bullying and humiliation..and then they both failed! My six year old his red belt!!!!The first One!!!!!!...I have never seen such a humiliated, belittled, disappointed little boy and I'm digusted with myself for putting him in this position. That was 3 weeks ago and they haven't been back since

Meglet · 23/10/2007 19:02

ingles that is appaling that they failed their first grade! what an awful group of instructors they must have! I have seen hundreds of kids and adults take their first (white) belts in my group and not one has ever failed - despite some pretty amusing fannying around from some of the little ones . How on earth do they expect to gain confidence from that. I don't blame you for not going back. I hope your LO's aren't put off for life.