How Young Is Too Young?

[MJS]

What age group do you feel kids should start? Many schools that I've seen start as young as 4yrs old. Do you feel that is too young to start? If so, why? If you feel that 4 is too young, what age do you think is best for the child to get the most out of the training?

[Steel Tiger]

They do say that children of 3 to 5 have astounding learning abilities. I don't find this surprising as it is an important adaptation to survival that has stayed with us. They may not understand what they are learning, but they will very likely retain it.

I do find that there is a coordination issue with children this young which could result in their having to relearn some things, but perhaps MAs is a good way to learn how to use their body.

[Sensei Payne]

it all depends on the child, there are basic skills that a child must have before they can even begin anything...basic motor skills...not all 4 year olds are made the same...so I belive in order to have a toddler class, there should be a basic test before the student can even begin classes, and the test should be done privatly with the child and the parent, basic instructional things...go get me the ball..touch your toes, take 5 big steps...that kind of thing..

[Steel Tiger]

it all depends on the child, there are basic skills that a child must have before they can even begin anything...basic motor skills...not all 4 year olds are made the same...so I belive in order to have a toddler class, there should be a basic test before the student can even begin classes, and the test should be done privatly with the child and the parent, basic instructional things...go get me the ball..touch your toes, take 5 big steps...that kind of thing..

That's a good idea.

[Andrew Green]

It really depends on what you are teaching and how. I think 4 is definately too young to be learning kata or line up and count of reps training, but basic wrestling through a lot of one on one time with someone older? No problem.

[bushidomartialarts]

Depending on your goals, it may never be too young to start learning martial arts. Even infants can be brought up seeing their parents train and hearing the important message of martial arts. As soon as they're old enough to mimic, they can start training.

That said, we won't take 'em younger than 4 at my school, and 4 is for special cases.

[jdinca]

It really all depends on the individual child. I've done introductory lessons with kids who were three that were just fine. I've also had five year olds where I advised the parents to wait six months and try it again.

[Ceicei]

Depending on your goals, it may never be too young to start learning martial arts. Even infants can be brought up seeing their parents train and hearing the important message of martial arts. As soon as they're old enough to mimic, they can start training.

That said, we won't take 'em younger than 4 at my school, and 4 is for special cases.

For formal classes? I think 5 is a good age to start. Many at that age have at least started kindergarten and already are acquainted with group rules. Just make sure there is a variety of things to do that will help build both their physical skills and cognitive abilities.

Informally (such as at home or wherever), martial arts can be at any age, mimicking movements for a few minutes or fun-sparring/wrestling with family & friends. This doesn't have to be structured (as in a class) and can be spontaneous.

When I practice at home, my little ones like to wander in the room and try alongside with me for a few minutes at a time.

- Ceicei

[14 Kempo]

I have found that there are very few kids of age 3, 4 and even 5, that can learn things such as forms or specific techniques and understand them. However, it is not out of the question to take those same children and work them on basics. Punching, kicking, blocking, stances and coordination drills. Don't get me wrong, it's not ALL kids, just a rule of thumb.
Working these kids on basics until age 6, then moving them up into the next class level, can be very benficial to the child. And what the heck, why not make that advancement a birthday present from the school on their 6th. Once at the next class level, they know all of the basic movements, they just need to then begin putting them into proper sequences. I am able to verbally ask a student to turn 90d into a cat stance, facing 9 o'clock and they do it, without question. Now step out into a left fighting stance and use a #8 block, they do it. Makes life a bit easier.
Oh yes, there is the once in a while parent that believes their child is a prodigy, and some may very well be, but knowing basics inside and out benefits them more the regurgitating a form for which they have no idea what they are doing other than mimicking movements of their instructors ... anyway, just my humble opinion.

[stickarts]

For formal classes? I think 5 is a good age to start. Many at that age have at least started kindergarten and already are acquainted with group rules. Just make sure there is a variety of things to do that will help build both their physical skills and cognitive abilities.

Informally (such as at home or wherever), martial arts can be at any age, mimicking movements for a few minutes or fun-sparring/wrestling with family & friends. This doesn't have to be structured (as in a class) and can be spontaneous.

When I practice at home, my little ones like to wander in the room and try alongside with me for a few minutes at a time.

- Ceicei

I agree. Over the years we have seen that age 5 is an age that most kids can start at. We try them at age 4. Some are able to do it and some we recommend that they come back in a few months to try it again.
Our 3 year old daughter is able to mimic lots of the moves but she is not ready for a group class yet.
I think starting kids young is a good thing. The focus is on developing good fundamentals, exercise, manners, attitude and fun.

[Carol]

There is a school in Mass. that starts kids as young as 2.5 years old.

I think that is too young.

[Kacey]

In addition to the good points made above, you also have to consider the facility in which you teach. About 12 years ago, I taught a class in an athletic club; the class was held in a racquetball court. The nearest bathroom was about 300 feet away, across the weight room, and the parents were usually off working out while the kids were in class - therefore, as a safety issue, I would not take kids under 8, who could understand what they could and could not touch, or go near, in the weight room on their way to the bathroom.

[jks9199]

Based on my experience to date -- the youngest I'll consider for training is 7. And that's a judgement call; I reserve the right to say that the kid lacks the attention span and ability to behave during class, and can come back in a year or so, and try again.

It's hard to teach when you've got one kid with "monkeys on the brain" who gets bored if you do a drill for more than 3 minutes...

[Sensei Payne]

another note I would like to add that kids classes shouldn't be any longer than 15 minutes unless there is a paticular student that has a higher attention span...

But longer than 15 minutes for karate 3 times a weel, may be a bit too much for a young child

[Tames D]

I use to feel that 4, 5 or 6 was way too young for kids to start in martial arts. But after having my kids in formal classes I have changed my mind. There are 12 kids in their class ranging from 4 yrs to 8 yrs old. I have watched these kids develop very good skills in a relatively short period.

Are their stances perfect? No way.Is their form perfect? No way. But overall they are looking very good. I think in another year, they will be incredible.

[foot2face]

I believe 8-10 is a good age range to start. It's young enough for them to grow into their style and develop that smooth, effortless movement common in those who start young. It's old enough for them to understand and more importantly, respect what they are learning.

[BudoTiger]

The school i used to work and train at we started the kids at 3. they all learned forms, techniques, and worked out in the regular group classes. exercises, stretching, the whole shebang. we had very few problems in class. the trick was to keep class moving fast enough to hold their attention. we would even occasionally do sparring drills in class. the kids LOVED it. this is a benefit to private lessons included with group classes that i see. you can work on the child's gross motor skills, technique, and forms in privates which makes it alot easier to work in group class. granted not all children are capable of ANYTHING at 3 years old. i had to turn kids away at 3,4, & even 5 who were not ready because they couldn't follow basic instructions. it all depends on how much time the parent works with the child at home on listening skills and things of that nature.

as far as at home informal training. i have 2 daughters. 1 & 2. they both know how to do a basic front kick, punch, horse stance, kiai, and outside block. alot of it from watching me work out and some because i have worked with them at home.

[MJS]

IMO, I think 5-6 would be a good age. 4 may/may not be the right age, as some don't seem to be into it. I feel that if they're a bit older, they'll have an easier time grasping the material.

[MJS]

There is a school in Mass. that starts kids as young as 2.5 years old.

I think that is too young.

I agree!! IMHO, I'd feel as if it was more of a babysitting session, rather than a MA class. I just can't see how someone that young could grasp anything MA related.

[Em MacIntosh]

I think the earlier the better. Not just MA either. Baseball, soccer etc. too. I don't plan on living my dreams through my kids (if I ever have any) but I think it would be a good move as a parent to get them into whatever activity or sport they enjoy most (within reason). MA would be the most likely. If they don't enjoy it, they don't have to do it but the option is there for them as early as they are capable.

[Nomad]

We start kids at 4, but it's a different sort of class that teaches some very basic skills (the most important of which are listening & paying attention). The classes are 1/2 hour once per week and are taught through storytelling; the instructors have a few dozen stories they rotate through (one per week). At different parts of the stories, the kids jump up and act out one part of the story (often doing moves that look suspiciously like karate stances, strikes or kicks, even though they may be described as something completely different). At this age, the trick is to catch and hold their attention for the whole class.

At 6, they join the "regular" classes where they start learning katas, partner drills, sparring, etc.

[BudoTiger]

So I belive in order to have a toddler class, there should be a basic test before the student can even begin classes, and the test should be done privatly with the child and the parent, basic instructional things...go get me the ball..touch your toes, take 5 big steps...that kind of thing..

i have a test like this some where that one of my former instructors devised after reading an article on child development. i have to see if i can find it and type it up and find a way to post if for anyone interested or if ne1 is they can give me their email addy and ill send it to them....

[BudoTiger]

I agree!! IMHO, I'd feel as if it was more of a babysitting session, rather than a MA class. I just can't see how someone that young could grasp anything MA related.

again depends on the child and how much time the parents spends working on basic skills with them at home. one of my former instructors has a little boy that he started in classes at 2.5. before his 3rd birthday he knew all the basic stances, what they were called, why they were done, all the basic blocks, and some of the strikes.

then we had a 4 year old that was so antsy he was a white belt 6 months in. kept having to teach him the same material over again because he wouldn't practice at home. mom and dad didn't work with him to help remember.

then one of my 7 year old students who had a form of autism was so sharp he had all the material to test for yellow belt in 8 weeks, knew how it was done, why it was done, and all the other material i asked him to remember to test.

it all depends on the child. not all can be lumped together. everyone learns on a different curve, even adults.

[Kacey]

it all depends on the child. not all can be lumped together. everyone learns on a different curve, even adults.

Very true - and something all instructors should bear in mind at all times.

[Budo_NJ]

Both my kids began studying karate when they were five. My daughter is very focused and had no problem in learning the katas. My son, on the other hand, gets distracted. But seeing how vastly his focus and concentration have improved (he's now six), I would have to recommend learning a martial art at this young age.

On the other hand, one of my son's classmates also began the class at age five. Unfortunately, he was constantly distracted, would ask irrelevant questions (why is the sky blue?) and distracted other students. In a case like this I would have to recommend beginning at a later age (or Ritalin).