Karate lessons - any good for young children?

[hunkermunker]

DS1 is 4yo. Good karate school nearby - but is he too young? He'd be 4.6 by the time he started lessons as prob after summer hols now.

Anyone else's child been?

Hi I asked about lessons for my 4 yr old and the Instructor wrote back to me to say that they shouldn't start until they are 5 and he would question anyone taking on any child younger than that....so I'm going to wait...

ds started karate at about four and half...

I've known younger kids starting karate. Depends on the temperament of the child (calm and relaxed, good at taking instructions?) and the experience of the Sensei. You could have a word with the Sensei and ask what he thinks. Take your ds along, find out if he can do a taster session.

I'm going to see re a trial lesson for DS1 - did he tell you what his reservations were?

DH black belt in karate and aikido, so he knows a bit about it, but not for children as he was a teenager when he started training.

Ah, thank you - posts while I was writing that.

Will see how DS1 is at trial and maybe give it a go in September.

Thai boxing here, from 6. Ds1 loves it - focuses alot on the respect and managing it - not as a beat em up thing, also very good exercise, social thing to do.

ds is also the least physical boy ever but he enjoyed it until he was 7 - gave him a bit of confidence and helped with coordination

DS does Thai Boxing becasue DH does, saw him and wanted to do it himself.

They do it at my DD's nursery. It's not really proper katate I guess but lots of stretching and kicks etc. DD loves it and it provides a nice counterwaight to the pink girliness of ballet, which she also does. DOn't think it does any harm starting them young as long as it's not taken too seriously.

DS 4 started Taekwondo at 4
For the first year it's all play

dd1 (8) does kickboxing, she started at 6yo but there are diddy ones 4-6yo in a separate group (Called little warriors) and they basically play games a lot, and learn the moves but in simple sequences and gentle pad work. it's very mild but i think really really good for them. A very strict club might not be good for a 4yo though. It's one of the best things shes done though, she was the clumsiest oaf ever and it helped her co-ordination and physical confidence almost overnight.

The club I'm looking at for DS1 looks excellent - there are testimonials on the website and they strike the right note iyswim? It's perfectly possible that they'd have had glowing testimonials that really didn't chime with me.

We're going to take DS1 for a trial lesson and I think DH will get back into training as well, which will be good for them both.

I have seen children as young as four at the dojo I trained at before babymaking started. My sensei is v v experienced and I also observe his interactions with children from a teacher POV. I think it can be excellent for children even as young as 4. I am keen for dd to start Karate when she is 4 too.