SoulAssassin Posted March 13, 2003 Posted March 13, 2003 I hear many people saying anything under 8 years old is to early to start Martial Arts. I have a question, WHY!? Children studying Shaolin in Asia are 3. As long as you show right from wrong and are a good parent then you should have no worries, espically if you studied/study Martial Arts you know what to look for and should know right from wrong. I started when I was 5, I made some bad decsions and did street fight, though my parents did not know what to look for, and I mostly was independent for most of my life. I now know what to look for so when i have children I will not haver to worry about anything. I mean they maybe to young to understand the philosphy of the Art, though it will grow with them. Am I right or wrong? Give me your opinion though, I think for the most part I am right. -SoulAssassin"I aint gonna eat, I aint gonna sleep, aint gonna breath till I see what I wanna see and what I wanna see is you goto asleep, in the dirt permanently"
omnifinite Posted March 13, 2003 Posted March 13, 2003 I think with responsible teachers you're never too young to start. It seems people's problems are more with kids having high ranks too young... you can have the technique down by then but you're still developing mentally so a black belt at that age might be... "incomplete". I wish I'd started really young. Better to grow up doing techniques properly than to come in late and fight years of habit. 1st Dan HapkidoColored belts in Kempo and Jujitsu
ninjanurse Posted March 13, 2003 Posted March 13, 2003 3 year olds are capable of learning how to control their body and their mouth in a karate class just like they do at home. Building a good foundation using the tenets and basic skills will help them in life wether they continue in the martial arts or not. I'm all for startin' em young...makes teaching them when they are older much more of a pleasure and it is great to watch them grow up into a fine martial artist! "A Black Belt is only the beginning."Heidi-A student of the artsTae Kwon Do,Shotokan,Ju Jitsu,Modern Arnishttp://the100info.tumblr.com/
hongkongfooi Posted March 13, 2003 Posted March 13, 2003 i let my son start on his 5th birthday hes still going hes 9 in a few months carnt keep him away http://www.quill47.karoo.net
BKJ1216 Posted March 13, 2003 Posted March 13, 2003 I think it has something to do with the mentality. I know that I started karate when I was 7. I was only intrested in fighting, and when we didn't fight, I dropped out. That's why I don't think anything uner 12 shoudl be able to do it. Because honestly your just not mature enough until then. White Belt- Shudokan Karate
rb Posted March 14, 2003 Posted March 14, 2003 kids nowadays have no respect. No sense in teaching punks no matter the age.
ForeverTheArt Posted March 14, 2003 Posted March 14, 2003 kids nowadays have no respect. No sense in teaching punks no matter the age. lol To advance the art,To honor my sifu,To fight for the sake of the fight.
G95champ Posted March 14, 2003 Posted March 14, 2003 Training for fun and traing for rank are differant. IMO no kid under 16 should have a Black Belt. Thats just me agree or not. Their is way to much mental and emotional developemt involved in training. On the flip side I have saw many talented kid between the ages of 8 and 12. Some younger... But do they understand the mental part of karate in most cases I would say no. They are just athletes... I think the sooner you get kids involved in any sport or activey that teaches morals, balance, motor skills you are going to make that child better off. However giving a child a rank it is not mentally ready for can be very dangerous IMO. One note about people in other countries they don't test for belts like we do. You get one belt and thats it. Training is a life long process not somehting you take up for a few years and grow out of. (General George S. Patton Jr.) "It's the unconquerable soul of man, and not the nature of the weapon he uses, that ensures victory."
Blue Posted March 14, 2003 Posted March 14, 2003 I started my son when he was 9. By the time he was 9 and a third he was done. I wish i could have kept him up with it, and maybe it was me, but in my opinion, i couldn't get him to distinguish that while it's a fun thing to do, being in class isn't necessarily time to have fun. You have to settle down, receive instruction and focus. Which i just dont see him at this time doing. All kids are different, i really, really hope at some point i can bring him back.
hobbitbob Posted March 14, 2003 Posted March 14, 2003 Train at a young age, by all means yes! But... don't promote to Dan rank! There have always been Starkadders at Cold Comfort Farm!
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