We’ve all heard the saying, “Monkey see, monkey do.” Kids are sponges when they are young, so it’s important they absorb some life skills during their formative years. There’s no better way to instill said life skills than by enrolling a child in martial arts.
Kids need to fail, that’s how they learn. Failure is an inevitable part of life and one best experienced early on. When at a martial arts class, such as Brazilian jiu-jitsu, kids get the chance to fail over and over again in a non-competitive setting. They also get to be uplifted by their peers.
So many life skills can be gained from martial arts, especially if you get the opportunity to start when you are young. Stepping into a martial arts gym may seem daunting initially, but it’s the first step towards learning humility, honesty, discipline, and hard work. These qualities are essential for success, no matter which path your child might choose.
These values, which prove so beneficial in adulthood, are gained through constant practice – a practice that requires great endurance. When a child experiences this firsthand, they are gifted with the precious lesson of perseverance and all that comes with it. These are not just skills for the moment, but lessons that will shape their character and resilience for a lifetime.
During a child’s formative years, they develop physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Martial arts can facilitate and guide these changes in a positive way. Physically, children become stronger and develop better reaction skills. Socially, they learn to interact with their peers and coaches in a highly emotional environment, where they can experience feelings of frustration and excitement in just a single class.
Through trial and error, they become more aware of their emotions by navigating these ups and downs in a welcoming setting together with their peers. In terms of cognitive development, BJJ is a valuable asset as it teaches kids about consequences, forward-thinking, and problem-solving under pressure. The sense of accomplishment they feel when they overcome challenges in martial arts is a huge confidence boost – a child will never forget their first-ever submission.
These experiences, encountered at a young age, have a lasting impact on shaping a child’s journey into adolescence, and later, adulthood. The physical strength, social skills, emotional resilience, and cognitive abilities developed through martial arts will help them navigate the challenges of school, relationships, and personal growth.
The class structure of most martial arts classes, including BJJ, is designed to foster a supportive and safe learning environment. Children work together, learning and testing their skill sets against each other. Under the supervision of a high-level coach, kids can better accept failure when it is against their peers.
The gym provides them with a non-intimidating space for them to learn and grow. This type of training and structure provides children with the foundation and support needed if they choose to compete. And if a child doesn’t go down the competition route, there is still a lot of room to grow in a martial arts class, especially BJJ, with its ranking system, which encourages continuous improvement and personal growth.
Accepting constructive criticism and failure, which is essential to martial arts, is a life skill that is crucial to achieving success in the future.
It goes without saying that all sports positively benefit a child’s development. Still, the lessons of humility, patience, perseverance, and respect inherent in martial arts will directly influence a child’s ability to adapt and engage with their peers.
If you’re looking to help your child build confidence, resilience, discipline, and social skills in a fun and supportive environment, our Kids BJJ program at Bangtao is the perfect place to start. With expert coaches, a world-class facility, and a focus on personal growth through trial and error, our classes give kids the tools they need to succeed on and off the mats. Set your child up for lifelong success—join our growing BJJ community today!