Supporting Your Karate Kid: Tips for Parents of Martial Artists
Whether your child has just begun their martial arts journey or has been training for a decade, your support can make or break their continued commitment.
Be their Biggest Fan
Children need their parents to root for them. Congratulate their successes. The big ones, like winning a tournament or getting a new belt, are easy to do. But don’t forget to celebrate their little victories, like getting a merit star or finally getting the hang of a new kick. Often, what may seem small to us means a great deal to them. If you show them you truly care about what goes on in their class, you might be surprised at how often they share with you after that.
Maintain a Balanced Approach
Many parents know that pushing their child into a sport can sometimes have the opposite effect. It’s important to stay balanced in your support and encouragement. Push them to attend class when they aren’t up for it to curb any temporary laziness, but don’t force them to participate when they aren’t enjoying it. Allow them to discover the desire to attend all on their own without seeming indifferent.
Choose a Good Practice Space
Yes, even when they have a dedicated martial arts class, it’s important that they practice at home, too. They don’t have to break the TV, and you don’t need a home gym. Simply designate an allowed space for karate practice. They can always do so in the backyard. Flat, open space works best. In reality, training in all sorts of environments is necessary to get better exposure and learn how to adapt. However, for kids, uneven surfaces and terrain will interfere with their training. We also want to be able to focus on techniques in isolation, closer to the base, not concepts impacted by environmental changes.
All karate skills can be practiced in open space, in the air, without any equipment. Some children will want to do so alone. Some will want you to watch. Others will want you to participate. You can substitute pillows and newspapers for striking surfaces (just be careful). You can also use a pool noodle to help them work on the block. Not only will they enjoy that you are taking an interest in their activity, but they will greatly benefit from it.
Respect the Journey
Kids learn at different paces, regardless of what belt rank they have or their age. They may be frustrated that they aren’t progressing as fast as their friends or classmates. This is normal, and it’s okay. Take it from someone who repeated a few belt ranks; it’s nothing in the long run. Encourage your child to focus on their own improvement and skills rather than comparing themselves to others.
Take it Seriously
Show your child that you support them in their journey by taking each part of it seriously. From registering to attending class or tests, be present. If they sense (and they can smell it) that you think little of the class, they will treat it the same way. Who knows? Maybe karate is what they will dedicate their lives to. Maybe they’ll become professional fighters. Maybe they’ll do it as a hobby forever. Support this idea of prolongation. Show them you will continue to support them as long as they stick with it.
This is not required, but some students come in with obviously ironed uniforms on hangers. Those students always take class very seriously, do very well, and love it. The reason is that they see their parents treating it as something important. This doesn’t mean you need to get the iron out, but the point is that those students have a clear display of “karate matters” at home, however subtle. Make sure to show an interest in their progress, their skills (not just new belts), and any feedback you get from the instructor.
Communicate
Communication is a vital area of support. Your child needs to feel like they can talk to you about their progress in karate, good or bad. Talk to them. Ask them about class. What they liked, what they didn’t like, and what they learned Maintaining good communication is a great way to stay on top of your child’s progress and sentiment. You should know how they feel about their class, exercise, certain moves, and which games they like. If you know they love ninjas, you can encourage them to work on their ninja skills. If they are having trouble in class with something and they don’t tell you, it might be that they don’t think you will understand. Staying present, vocal, and communicative about their training will show them you care, and they will be more inclined to share things with you.
Embrace the Martial Arts Lifestyle
Karate and martial arts aren’t just about kicks, punches, and blocks (though a good portion actually is). It also comes with an attitude, mindset, and set of principles for life. The martial arts lifestyle encourages us to adopt great qualities and virtues, and it can be contagious. Embrace it. Show your child that you too believe in respect, discipline, and leadership. Make it a part of your family’s day-to-day life, and they’ll suddenly understand karate can be so much more than kicks and punches.
