I am writing this in response to a recent letter to the editor where the author, Jim Curtis, gave his opinion on what makes a good martial arts program for children (June 27 Kent Reporter, “Plenty of keys to good MA programs.”)
While Mr. Curtis brought up several interesting points for parents to consider when choosing a martial arts program, I want to offer a different perspective on two of his tips.
While the first three points presented by Mr. Curtis (1 – get to know the instructor, 2 – watch a class with kids the same age as your kids, and 3 – look for cleanliness and organization at the school) are helpful ideas for parents looking for a good martial arts program, the fourth and fifth need correcting.
Mr. Curtis stated in his fourth tip that the number of Black Belts a dojo has doesn’t mean it offers a good program for children.
However, more Black Belts in a children’s class means more individual attention. Each child has a distinct learning style, and there are many different skill levels, even among white belt students. More Black Belts teaching means the students can be separated into skill levels and learning types, benefitting the entire class.
Additionally, more Black Belts indicates a higher level of loyalty to the school and the program (showing that the Black Belts have put in the work required to earn their belts, instead of paying for them which, sadly, is the case in more and more martial arts programs these days).
As an 18-year-old Black Belt, tip 5 (schools that teach kids and teens weapons are “nuts,” and anyone who says it builds strength is not “playing with a full deck of cards” – to quote Mr. Curtis’s letter) is what really got to me.
Speaking from experience, my training in martial arts weapons (and this training has been in traditional forms, rather than sparring with the weapons) has helped further develop my responsibility, discipline, and self-control – and I’ve seen this happen in children as young as eight, it’s not just my opinion.
In conclusion, parents should evaluate martial arts programs from several different angles, and not rule out any one program just because it offers weapons training.
Chelsea Green
Kent
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