Martial arts helping kids avoid school violence

Great article in the Bermuda Sun

on the positive influence Martial Arts can have for kids, excerpts follow

"School violence has always been an enormous problem and there are no easy solutions to combat this dilemma. The fact of the matter is one solution may work with one child and be detrimental to another. Every child has different emotional needs and dreams. That's why this problem is so massive and needs everyone in our community to help curve this negative behavioural problem."

"Parents are the first lines of defence. Ensure that you are actively finding your children positive activities to do and make sure the organization is a positive source and role model for your child."

This is critical - parents need to make the effort to ensure that the organisation is appropriate and that the child (and parent) as comfortable and standards are upheld.

"Martial art programmes teach children to be more disciplined and focused. These two attributes alone will assist parents to shape their children to be more goals oriented."

"The martial art classes also teach students to avoid violence and further more how to identify it before it is too late. Bullying is a huge problem in schools and martial arts provide the willpower to teach children to be more confident and to look a potential bully in the eye and identify their traits and avoid them. Confidence is a huge trait our children need to have in order to avoid peer pressure and to tell their friends no when it will involve a violent act or bullying. In addition, martial arts also teach self pride. If our children are proud of themselves they will not need to depend on someone else to make them feel good about themselves. In other words, they don't need to prove who they are to anyone. Being different is good and acceptable."

"Also, let us not forget respect for others. It is very important that our children learn respect for their parents, grandparents, teachers, friends and themselves. Martial arts are a perfect parenting partner to help raise awesome children who ultimately will be our future leaders."

Amen