A young boy stands on the mats of a martial arts school while his instructor helps with his glovesMartial arts can build your child’s self-confidence. Through the development of physical skills, like fine motor skills, as well as life skills, like self-control, your kids will become more confident in their daily lives.

Here are four ways martial arts boosts confidence in kids:

1. Mutual Respect

When a child trains martial arts in a group, one of the lessons taught by the instructor is respect. Students are expected to show respect for their instructor. And at the same time, the instructor shows respect to all students in the class.

Maintaining the same level of respect for all individuals, no matter the circumstances, shows students that everyone deserves the same level of respect. And in turn, offering the same level of respect to everyone, including yourself, boosts a child’s confidence.

2. Acceptance of Failure

Martial arts teaches kids that there is value in failing. The lesson is in helping kids who fall learn the value of getting back up to try again.

In martial arts, kids learn that this “fail/get back up” process will repeat several times before success. But in a positive atmosphere where students continue to try even after failing goes a long way in increasing confidence as well as persistence.

3. Focus on Progress

Martial arts training gives kids the opportunity to work toward short- and long-term goals. While it is true that the martial arts journey is marked along the way with milestones such as belt rankings, there is also a focus on continued progress.

Being able to achieve small goals while working toward a larger goal provides kids with an ongoing sense of accomplishment. A child who experiences small victories will also experience an increase in self-confidence.

4. Social Skills

Taking martial arts classes allows your child to meet new kids from different backgrounds and interact in a group setting. If your child tends to be shy around new people, the structure of a martial arts class can help kids gradually come out of their shells and feel more confident around their peers.

Classic Fight Team in Fountain Valley offers martial arts programs for both kids and adults. To learn more about the programs we have to offer and how to get started, contact us today.