| Self confidence plays a very important role in our | | | | their sense of responsibility. |
| happiness and success in life. It is crucial that | | | | 10. A good sensei will encourage students to ask |
| children are given the opportunity to develop it at | | | | for help if they need it. This builds assertiveness, |
| a young age. A good martial arts school can be a | | | | a key ingredient in self confidence. |
| great place to build self confidence in children. Here | | | | 11. The sensei will recognise improvements and |
| are 20 ways in which martial arts can improve a | | | | effort as part of the process of learning, rather |
| child's confidence. If you can think of any more, | | | | than just the end result. |
| please feel free to add your comments below. | | | | 12. The sensei will help a child overcome any |
| | | | negative self-talk that might be holding him back. |
| 1. Children will imitate their parents or other role | | | | "You can do it" is one of his favourite phrases. |
| models. A good sensei will provide an excellent | | | | 13. Students will learn to accept mistakes as part |
| role model for the children to imitate. The sensei | | | | of learning. They will make plenty, but each day |
| will have the body posture and movement typical | | | | they will get better and will learn that mistakes |
| of a confident, successful person. | | | | are no big deal-even the sensei makes them! |
| 2. If a sensei truly enjoys being with the children | | | | 14. Good martial arts schools will break the belts |
| in the class and is obviously having fun, the kids | | | | down into bite-sized chunks so the children are |
| will come away thinking that they are fun to be | | | | able to achieve success. Each step towards the |
| with. | | | | goal will build a layer of self confidence. The child |
| 3. By getting down and playing with the children, | | | | will learn that with a bit of work and |
| the sensei makes the children feel valuable, | | | | determination, success can be obtained. |
| especially if she focuses her attention on the | | | | 15. Children need limits to feel secure. The sensei |
| children. | | | | will have rules that must be followed in the dojo, |
| 4. By knowing the children's names the sensei | | | | giving all students proper guidance. |
| reinforces their value. | | | | 16. Taking healthy risks builds a child's confidence. |
| 5. The carry-over principle-success in martial arts | | | | In martial arts there will be some risks, particularly |
| will carry over into other areas of the child's life. | | | | in the higher ranks, but there is no success |
| 6. By discovering what the child is good at and | | | | without the chance of failure. There will be failures |
| praising her for it, the sensei will build her self | | | | along the way, but they will be overcome. |
| confidence. | | | | 17. The sensei will show your child how to make |
| 7. A good sensei will help a child lose his "labels". | | | | proper eye contact in order to project confidence. |
| There are no "fat kids" or "asthmatic kids" in | | | | 18. A good sensei will encourage your child to put |
| martial arts schools. There are only karate kids, or | | | | his hand up and answer questions, which will make |
| whatever art is being taught. | | | | him much more confident. |
| 8. By teaching good values, the sensei is able to | | | | 19. The student will have a chance to observe |
| help the child decide for himself what is right in | | | | how people are motivated and inspired-from |
| the face of peer pressure. | | | | watching the sensei. |
| 9. By giving children responsibilities, they become | | | | 20. The martial arts training itself will build |
| more confident. Once the student reaches a high | | | | strength, skill, and confidence, which will also repel |
| rank they are expected to help out the younger, | | | | bullies. |
| less experienced students. This greatly increases | | | | |