How do I choose a martial arts class for my 3 year old?

[Gus1]

Hello All

My wife and I got some good advice about preparing our son for school and I thought I would return for some help with another choice we wish to make.

I would like to enroll my son in a martial arts class, preferably karate. However, I do not know which would be most suitable. The starting age seems to vary widely. Some start as young as 3 others not until 6. There are all kinds of martial arts and karate classes. I can't get my head around what what age and what type of karate class would be best.

Any one with kids doing martial arts? Any suggestions?

Thanks
Gus1

the only one I can think of that starts that young is little tiger cubs which in my town leaned towards tai kwon do training. not sure if others do different types of martial arts. all the other classes here were from age 5 upwards, I think mainly for insurance reasons but also because the age range will go from 5 to around 11/12 years old and the coach cant devote lots of time to small child friendly instruction. lost of under 5s struggle with the attention and following the rules/orders but by 5 are starting school and have a bit of a grasp of rule following.

Hi Dh is a kickboxing instructor , we we won't be starting Dc until he is four years old . This is considered as youngish to start , he will also not be sparring until he is about six, pads only up until then . The kids love it lots of matts to run round on and pads to hit !

You all are absolutely wonderful. Thank you so much. Really appreciate your quick responses. This site has been a great find. I will continue to use it both to ask questions and to offer my views where I feel I have something to add/help.

Any more advice would be welcome.

Look at the insurance situation -- my DC do judo and the club will take them from four, but you can only register with the BJA as a junior member once you are five so before that you (and the club) aren't covered by the BJA's insurance scheme. I don't know how it works with karate, though.

i'm a bit of a wimp and not keen on the types that involve kicking or punching. my eldest did judo and youngest little tiger cubs (taekwondo). I loved the judo for eldest, was very lucky to have a brilliant, patient instructor. little TC was fine for youngest as no kicking/hitting at anyone else (all based on games really) but I stayed for some of the older classes and DS1 tried it out for one session and was really put off (both him and me) by the kicking etc. we just preferred the judo. seemed far more peaceful in the classes

My dd has done jujitsu from 5 she's a blue belt and 9 now. All I can say is stay well away from little dragons it's just a massive money making scam my daughter did the free taster and then they wanted £300! As a guide my daughter pays £3.50 a lesson and £15 per grading I think you will find most places don't take them before 5.

little tiger cubs was £26 per month by direct debit only and a bugger to get out of tbh. like trying to cancel SKY children got a sticker on their card each week and then when they had ten they got, I think a different belt. it was a few years ago. cant remember. sorry.

judo was £5 per session, pay as you go and £5 per grading. but it was only aged 5 and up.

Oh sorry molding thought it was just a standard thing with them. Apologies to lil dragons who don't try and rip you off

I'm a black belt in karate and teach kids.
We don't take kids under 5. They just don't have the concentration for it, even though classes are fun-based with some introductions to blocks/kicks etc thrown in.

I'm not familiar with the Lil Tigers, but the cost alone screams cash cow to me. Obviously all martial arts instructors will charge a small fee for classes and insurance, but that's extortion.

Avoid. Wait until 5.

My ds started karate when he was 6. This was the youngest stage to start as instructors felt the children were not disciplined enough to start at a younger age. He attended a normal club with beginners' classes. ( wide age range) and no special activities for children.
We moved to china when he was 8 and he started tae Kwon do and it took him 2.5 years to get to black belt.

I did karate at quite a high level. Any karate instructor worth anything will not take a a3 year old. They don't have the concentration for it. My DS is 3 and he's now where near ready. I'm taking him to kids football instead.

Dd's school runs Tai Chi classes for the whole school to help with co ordination, concentration and mindfulness. I'd say reception age is probably the youngest that a child would have the necessary concentration and co ordination.It's great to see how much progress they make as they move up the school. Dd was year six last sports day and their display was amazing.

Why on earth would you want a 3 year old to do martial arts?

One big reason might be that martial arts in general put a big emphasis on discipline and using physical skills and strength responsibly. So in judo, for example, even at a young age you'll have bouts against other children. You can try to throw them, you can wrestle with them -- but it is drummed into you that you do not ever lay a finger on them until you are told to start (in a safe place, following a ritual that expressly checks that both participants are ready) and that you always stop immediately on receiving an instruction to do so.

Three-year-olds on the whole tend to be good on the raw physicality aspect but a bit shaky on the discipline and channeling that physicality into appropriate channels, so I can see why martial arts would seem an obvious step to refocus them a bit (not that I think any of mine would have been in any way ready for it at three).

Thanks all.

moldingsunbeams, I live between Romford and Ilford. Something around these areas would be ideal.

Hakluyt for very good reasons as TortoiseUpATreeAgain mentioned. I can tell that it is not for you. i won't judge you for it.

After reading all the advice, I am almost (completely?) convinced that I should wait until he is a bit older.

Gus, personally i would wait a couple of years if you want him to gain anything more than having a bit of fun. My youngest is just turned 5 and the little tigers was fab when he was smaller as it was created exactly for that age group and the instructor (who has the patience of a saint) was great at engaging them (it was like herding cats!) however my older son's judo class just would leave my youngest bored as its desgined for a wide range of age groups and the instructor just cant devote the time that would be required for under 5's.

There is no harm in doing a taster session with on of the 'lil' type groups and see what you think.