{"id":7030,"date":"2020-06-26T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-06-26T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fitroots.co.uk\/martial-arts-for-toddlers\/"},"modified":"2023-02-08T11:34:41","modified_gmt":"2023-02-08T11:34:41","slug":"martial-arts-for-toddlers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fitroots.co.uk\/martial-arts-for-toddlers\/","title":{"rendered":"Martial Arts For Toddlers – Inspire Your Child’s Development"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever thought of enrolling your toddler into a Martial Arts class? I know what you might be thinking, ” I don’t want my toddler kicking and punching at home or nursery.” It might surprise you that Martial Arts is helpful for your toddlers mental health and development.<\/p>\n

See how some of our students have progressed in just a few months, and what their parents have to say\u00a0 <\/p>\n

https:\/\/youtu.be\/M0ACUQx2MOs<\/p>\n

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Skills Toddlers Need\u00a0To\u00a0Develop\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Is my child developing at the right stage\u2753<\/p>\n

Does my child need extra support\u2753<\/p>\n

Am I doing everything I can to help my child develop\u2753<\/p>\n

These are just some of the questions we can’t help but ask ourselves as parents. The truth is, every child will develop at their own rate and in their own time. Of course, there are many things we can do to give our children a helping hand and guide them on their journey. But in the end,\u00a0they must brave the big wide world themselves.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The fact that you\u2019re here is proof that you are trying to learn and give your toddler the best start.\u00a0So, for your child’s developmental needs here\u00a0are the\u00a0benefits of Martial Arts for toddlers.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Development Milestones\u00a0<\/h3>\n

Those development milestones everyone keeps asking you about have\u00a0been conjured up over the years. All by people attempting to formulate child development\u00a0so they can do their studies. The truth is those formulas and milestones don\u2019t\u00a0always\u00a0account for each child\u2019s individual circumstances, experiences and personalities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

So,\u00a0set an example to your child early and\u00a0learn to let go of what you can\u2019t control.\u00a0<\/p>\n

On that note, learning about and understanding your child’s developmental needs IS<\/strong> something you CAN<\/strong> control.<\/p>\n

The five main areas of development:\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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  1. \n
    Cognitive Development\u00a0– How they think\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/li>\n
  2. \n
    Social and Emotional Development\u00a0– How they build relationships\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/li>\n
  3. \n
    Speech and Language Development\u00a0– How they listen, understand and communicate\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/li>\n
  4. \n
    Fine Motor Skill Development\u00a0–\u00a0Using their\u00a0hands and feet to explore\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/li>\n
  5. \n
    Gross Motor Skill Development\u00a0–\u00a0Using their whole bodies to explore and move\u00a0<\/strong><\/h5>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Try and find an activity or a set of activities that helps your toddler develop in these five areas.\u00a0This blog will tell you more about the benefits of Martial Arts for toddlers and development in these five main areas of development.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Make sure they are engaging their body and mind during their weekly activities. Even better,\u00a0find an activity that trains both their body and mind\u00a0together and as one.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Benefits of\u00a0Martial Arts\u00a0For\u00a0Toddler\u00a0Development\u00a0<\/h2>\n

    Studies show that Martial Arts helps people of all ages develop fitness, focus, confidence, strength and so much more.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Of course,\u00a0you won\u2019t find toddlers sparring and throwing jumping roundhouse kicks, but at this age Martial Arts is a tool for the five main areas of development.\u00a0When these five areas are nurtured, over time,\u00a0you will build a stronger, more\u00a0well-rounded\u00a0child. They will be able to both defend themselves and \u2018Be Li<\/em><\/strong>k<\/em><\/strong>e Water,<\/em><\/strong>\u2019\u00a0just like the great Bruce Lee.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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    Here you will learn about how Martial Arts can help your toddler in each of the main five development areas,\u00a0and what some parents say about getting their child started early in Martial Arts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Cognitive\u00a0Development for Toddlers:\u00a0<\/h3>\n

    When taught in a wholesome way Martial Arts will challenge your child to think outside of the box.\u00a0They will be taught about their mind, emotions and how to channel their energy in a positive way.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Toddlers Develop Critical and Rational Thinking in Martial Arts<\/h4>\n

    How do they do that\u2753<\/p>\n

    Through learning to focus their mind on a specific technique or combination they channel their mind to\u00a0eliminate distractions and focus on the task at hand. <\/p>\n

    Learning combinations through a set of verbal cues and executing them physically helps toddlers link their mind and body, as well as improving their reaction skills. <\/p>\n

    They also learn the application of Martial Arts and theory behind sparring. They become aware of thinking about their next move based on what makes sense biomechanically first. For example if they have just thrown a punch they will need to think about some defence soon after. Through fun games they quickly learn that, if they lose focus there can be consequences. <\/p>\n

    Focus In Martial Arts and Life<\/h5>\n

    This mental development is quite often a byproduct of training in many Martial Arts schools, in favour of the action packed physical elements. However, those who are consciously taught this at an earlier age will come to understand the connection quicker and deeper than if they start later in life. Once they are aware they have something to work towards and aspire to.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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    Here\u2019s what David had to say about Zen’s focus in Martial Arts: \u201cWe’ve noticed quite a bit of change in him, espexcially in the class. He’s able to follow on, follow the class, follow with the rest of the group. He’s able to concentrate a lot better, and I think it’s carried through to home as well. Like I said, when he started, focus and concentration were real issues for him, and I think as he’s getting older and with <\/i>FitRoots<\/i>, he’s really improving at that.\u201d<\/i>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Social and Emotional\u00a0Development for Toddlers:\u00a0<\/h3>\n

    Building friendships with other toddlers who are on their Martial Arts journey will give your child a safe community to share their goals and dreams with.\u00a0They\u00a0will\u00a0also learn\u00a0from and\u00a0find inspiration from\u00a0older students who are part of the community. Giving them positive role models outside of the home\/nursery setting.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Transitioning from nursery to School<\/h4>\n

    Children may go from an open nursery or home environment where they are free to roam, to a school\u00a0classroom with set rules and restrictions. Martial Arts will teach your child through play\u00a0and guide your child through this transition. While they can run around and have fun, they learn and become aware of when to sit, listen and when to\u00a0focus on the task at hand.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    When taught correctly, Martial Arts will teach your child to how to handle their emotions and difficult situations. One of the benefits of Martial Arts for toddlers is this early introduction to exploring emotions. This can be done through exploring the mind with ancient philosophy and psychology. <\/p>\n

    When they learn to distinguish\u00a0their own\u00a0emotional reactions,\u00a0they are better equipped to start thinking more rationally and critically\u00a0as they head into childhood.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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    After training for just four months Sarah\u2019s mum\u00a0Elenis\u00a0said:\u00a0\u201c<\/em>The most important thing I\u2019ve seen is, she is more kind. She’s kinder to children. She uses her mind more often because we always talk about using our mind, what she thought she learned at\u00a0FitRoots, at the classes.\u00a0So when she is being rude to someone or she doesn’t speak nicely, I ask her, “Did you use your mind when you did that?”. And she says, “No.” So\u00a0after that she\u00a0rewinds and she uses her mind. She says, “Sorry.” And she’s more kind with children around her.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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    Here\u2019s what David had to say about Zen\u2019s social development:\u00a0\u201cI think it took us by surprise when he came to the first class, it was almost he wasn’t learning punching or kicking, he was almost learning to be part of a group and follow what the group is doing. At first, I’d watch him, and he’d be looking at people to try and figure out what they’re doing. Now, you tell\u00a0him\u00a0and he knows.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    Watch Zen’s full story >>> here<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Speech and Language\u00a0Development for Toddlers:\u00a0<\/h3>\n

    By becoming a part of a Martial Arts community, your child will learn from\u00a0other\u00a0students as well their instructors.\u00a0They follow commands set out by their instructor and observe what the other students are doing. They then piece the pieces of the puzzle together. <\/p>\n

    Over time they learn\u00a0how to articulate themselves better and communicate their thoughts so people will understand.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

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    Here\u2019s what Priya\u00a0saw in\u00a0Aaroosh\u2019s\u00a0development:\u00a0\u201cHe’s keen to answer most of the questions. Even if he doesn’t know, he\u00a0raises\u00a0his hands. Initially\u00a0I still remember he used to raise up his hand and he didn\u2019t\u00a0know what he\u00a0wanted\u00a0to answer. Then he\u00a0was told, “Aaroosh, you need to think first and then you need to raise your hand to reply.\u00a0So\u00a0you should know what you’re raising your hand for.”\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

    Read the rest of Aaroosh’s story ><\/a>>>here.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Kids-Sparring\"\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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    Here\u2019s what David had to say about Zen\u2019s social development:\u00a0\u201cI think it took us by surprise when he came to the first class, it was almost he wasn’t learning punching or kicking, he was almost learning to be part of a group and follow what the group is doing. At first, I’d watch him, and he’d be looking at people to try and figure out what they’re doing. Now, you tell\u00a0<\/em>him\u00a0and he knows.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Fine Motor Skill\u00a0Development for Toddlers:\u00a0<\/h3>\n

    When starting your child\u2019s Martial Arts journey early,\u00a0you may\u00a0think about\u00a0your child\u2019s development in coordination, balance and various other gross motor skills. And of course,\u00a0you would be right. But let\u2019s not forget the other fine motor skill development that comes when your child learns to understand their body.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Whilst not so obvious, your child will inevitably learn the very foundations for their continual development in Martial Arts. They may not be learning full joint locks and various combinations, but they will be building their foundations\u00a0to pick these up in good time.\u00a0The earlier they start their understanding of\u00a0how their own body moves, the sooner they will get their opponent into a successful\u00a0arm lock.\u00a0<\/p>\n

    Develop the love of Martial Arts early and guide your child to have a better understanding and connection to their body.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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    Here\u2019s what Karimah had to say about Kairo\u2019s development in Martial Arts\u00a0\u201cHis confidence has really improved and his love for martial arts has definitely been sparked.\u201d\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

    Gross Motor Skill Development for Toddlers:\u00a0<\/h3>\n

    Probably more obvious than fine motor skill development, gross motor skill development comes quite early in the practice for toddlers.\u00a0Movements that come so naturally for humans include walking, throwing and running. To develop these skills in your child early will help them with their overall physical development as they grow older. \u00a0<\/p>\n