HOW DO MARTIAL ARTS CLASSES HELP IMPROVE A CHILD’S BEHAVIOR?
Correcting Misbehavior at School Can Be One of the Most Challenging Parental Moments. 7 Ways Martial Arts Help Improve a Child’s Behavior
Does your heart skip when you see your child’s teacher’s name on the caller ID or in your inbox? If your child is having behavior issues at school or elsewhere, you might likely be at your wit’s end trying to help them do better. When rewards and consequences from you, your teacher, or other adults in their life don’t work, it might be time to try a new tactic. Consider enrolling your child in a martial arts class to help them learn how to regulate their behavior. Martial arts classes at U.S. Kuo Shu Academy are character development classes that can improve every aspect of a child’s life. Check out how these lessons help with behavior.
Teaches Self-Control and Self Regulation
Martial arts classes are predictable in their structure. They require children to follow traditions and rituals from the minute they enter the building until the minute they leave the building. They’ll be required to listen, hold stances, and follow directions very closely. The ready stance is a common way to bring children back to attention should they begin to falter. In ready stance, they are focused, listening, and ready for the next direction. It is difficult to misbehave when focusing on the position.
Improve Stress Management
Anxiety and stress are the most prevalent reasons a child will act out. You may have heard the acronym HALT. Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired – these are the most common triggers that can stress a kid out. While regulating these items can boil down to routine, bigger life stressors can wreak additional havoc on their behavior and self-regulation. A key focus in martial arts class is not only just the cathartic benefits of releasing that pent-up stress on the mat but also in how to regulate and express them when appropriate.
Focus on the Individual
Kids thrive with positive attention from adults and peers. Many environments they find themselves in focus on the group more than the individual. In class, the teaching style is that which works for “most”. In team sports, there is a lot of pressure on each individual to satisfy the team’s demands of them – including improving their skills. Martial arts classes are a place where a child can focus solely on their own development at their own pace. They don’t use a measuring stick that everyone else uses, but they work on individualized goals and timelines for achieving those goals. This can be a life-altering thing for children who may be inhibited by the pressure to conform and perform at standards that are not right for them.
Increase Ability to Focus
Attention spans are regularly decreasing. Kids have immediate access to social media, movies, music, friends, and more. All of those things are competing for their attention against academics, physical activities, and self-care – so much so that it can be impossible to focus on any one thing for very long. Entering the martial arts classroom means leaving all those distractions behind and outside and ONLY working towards the next level of earning a black sash. This focus and dedication within martial arts class takes hold and allows the child to take those skills with them to school and other extracurricular activities. With a newfound focus, your child can hone in their energy when at school to stay on task. When busy with a dedicated task, misbehavior is no longer in their periphery.
Increase Endurance to Focus Longer
Misbehavior is not just a result of an inability to focus, but can also be related to the length of time that focus is required. A lecture at school that is less than exciting and goes on too long can result in misbehavior from children who can focus in normal circumstances. By expanding their mind and body’s endurance for focus, we can further reduce misbehavior during moments when it may have previously been inevitable.
Getting Physical Releases Excess Energy & the Propensity to Act Out
Anxiety, stress, and especially unused energy stores can all build up and lead to in-school misbehavior. When a child is stuck sitting at a desk all day only to go home and sit on the couch or in front of their computer and school books, those energies have no way to escape. But, when a child is active, especially on a consistent basis, they use up that energy. Releasing pent-up energy in an aerobic exercise is an excellent way to stay focused, stay regulated, sleep well, and ultimately feel better. When we feel better, we behave better.
Adapt a Positive Outlook on Life
When feeling negative, it is only natural to behave in negative ways. Through the study of martial arts, one will begin to have a different, more positive outlook on life in general. Bully prevention tactics, conflict avoidance, and other interpersonal skills play a role in this change of scenery. Increased confidence, respect, and self-control all help a child see themselves and the world differently than before. With every goal they reach for and achieve, they begin to understand they can do anything they put their mind to. They no longer see a Mountain when it is just a molehill. They simply step over the molehill and continue progressing through life.
If you are at your wit’s end, trying a multitude of rewards and consequences that don’t seem to break through to the root of your child’s misbehavior, we hope you’ll try martial arts in Owings Mills. A new structured routine that is fun and active could be just what they need. Call today to schedule your child’s FREE evaluation.
What Others Say About us!
One of the Finest Chinese Martial Arts Schools in the Country
Some of the best competitors and teachers that I've ever met come from this fine school. It has a tradition of excellence in all they do. Grandmaster Huang, Chien-Liang and the US Kuo Shu Academy build champions with integrity.
Nelson Ferriera
The School has Transformed my Life.
The school has transformed my life and made me a better man body and soul. It's really special to witness the transformation of the the youth at the school as well. The staff at the school really care about the students and each other. This is all so vital to our youth for they are the future of things to come.
Bruce Seward
USKSA is not just a Chinese martial arts school, it’s a lifestyle
How lucky it was, that we stopped by USKSA. Instantly it becomes an irreplaceable part of life. And not just for my daughter, mine as well, since I became a student too. USKSA is not just a Chinese martial arts school, it is a lifestyle. It is a family. The school changed my life I can proudly say: I am a better person now, stronger (mentally and physically), even happier than I've been before I joined the USKSA. There is not enough good words to say. Thank you.
Alex Reznikov
I am learning how to be a Better Person
I am proud to study at US Kuo Shu Academy for Three Main Reasons. The instructors provide superior quality teaching and have in-depth knowledge of martial arts principles The genuine passion for teaching authentic martial arts, The sincere attitude that permeates every class that I am not just learning how to be a better martial artist, I am learning how to be a better person.
Steve Smith
Made me healthier physically and mentally and more focused & organized at work
It has helped me keep my sanity! Made me healthier physically and mentally and more focused and organized at work. I am a better person, writer, and mother because of my experiences at USKSA. And it's been the "village" that has helped my sons learn about values and character and hard work. If you want to change your life for the better, if you want to give your children tools...then this is the place.
Xylia Hall
Nothing Short of Amazing
The US Kuo Shu Academy is an amazing, traditional martial arts school with stellar instructors and an incredibly well-developed curriculum. My experience there - both at Owings Mills and in Marriottsville - has been nothing short of amazing. The Tai Chi program provides an incredibly layered experience that combines both the meditative/health aspects of Tai Chi, along with the martial aspects of the form. They truly care about their students, and provide expertise and support in an environment that is both caring and rigorous. Whether your interest in Tai Chi or Kung Fu, meditation or martial practice, this is the place to be.
Margaret Boas
I’ve gained a sense of self-confidence I had never realized
My association with this system began 7 years ago. My only goal at the time was to have a form of exercise in my life that didn't bore me. I was very overweight and was in desperate needs of getting in shape. In addition to helping me lose over 100 lbs, I've gained a sense of self-confidence I had never realized was missing from my life. I've made friendships that will last the rest of my life. I've been mentored by some amazing people, and I've had the great honor to mentor some amazing people.
Jeramy Hansen
I’ve gained a sense of self-confidence I had never realized
My association with this system began 7 years ago. My only goal at the time was to have a form of exercise in my life that didn't bore me. I was very overweight and was in desperate needs of getting in shape. In addition to helping me lose over 100 lbs, I've gained a sense of self-confidence I had never realized was missing from my life. I've made friendships that will last the rest of my life. I've been mentored by some amazing people, and I've had the great honor to mentor some amazing people. Joining US Kuo Shu Academy was one of the best decisions I've ever made.
Jeramy Hansen
Nothing Short of Amazing
The US Kuo Shu Academy is an amazing, traditional martial arts school with stellar instructors and an incredibly well-developed curriculum. My experience there - both at Owings Mills and in Marriottsville - has been nothing short of amazing. The Tai Chi program provides an incredibly layered experience that combines both the meditative/health aspects of Tai Chi, along with the martial aspects of the form. They truly care about their students, and provide expertise and support in an environment that is both caring and rigorous. Whether your interest in Tai Chi or Kung Fu, meditation or martial practice, this is the place to be.
Margaret Boas
I am learning how to be a Better Person
I am proud to study at US Kuo Shu Academy for Three Main Reasons. The instructors provide superior quality teaching and have in-depth knowledge of martial arts principles The genuine passion for teaching authentic martial arts, The sincere attitude that permeates every class that I am not just learning how to be a better martial artist, I am learning how to be a better person.
USKSA is not just a Chinese martial arts school, it’s a lifestyle
How lucky it was, that we stopped by USKSA. Instantly it becomes an irreplaceable part of life. And not just for my daughter, mine as well, since I became a student too. USKSA is not just a Chinese martial arts school, it is a lifestyle. It is a family. The school changed my life I can proudly say: I am a better person now, stronger (mentally and physically), even happier than I've been before I joined the USKSA. There is not enough good words to say. Thank you.
Alex Reznikov
The School has Transformed my Life
The school has transformed my life and made me a better man body and soul. It's really special to witness the transformation of the the youth at the school as well. The staff at the school really care about the students and each other. This is all so vital to our youth for they are the future of things to come.
Bruce Seward
One of the Finest Chinese Martial Arts Schools in the Country
Some of the best competitors and teachers that I've ever met come from this fine school. It has a tradition of excellence in all they do. Grandmaster Huang, Chien-Liang and the US Kuo Shu Academy build champions with integrity.
Nelson Ferriera
The Best School of Martial Arts
My children have been students for more than 4 years now and they love this school of martial arts. US Kuo Shu Academy is their second home, learning not just Kung Fu but also developing one’s character as a good, responsible, respectful and disciplined citizen. Thank you very much Grandmaster Huang. Master Michael Hung and all the teachers and students for making this place the best school of martial arts.