Karate?

[clarabelle]

My 10 y.o. DD is interested in taking Karate
She is very un athletic and has had trouble finding a sport she likes or is able to do
Does anyone have any experience with this? Will there be other 10 y.o. beginners?
What is the difference in the different types of martial arts? Karate, tae kwon do, etc....
Thanks!!

 

[MamaLema]

My oldest DS' are 7 and 9 and have been taking karate for 1 1/2 years and LOVE it!

This sounds like a great idea for your DD because almost anyone can do it. There are so many benefits: exercise, learning balance and self-control, can be done all year round, not to mention you learn self-defence.

In my DS' school, the way it works is you pay $20 for 3 private lessons. After that if you don't want to join you will have paid only the $20. If you want to join, you pay the membership fee and they waive the $20

Don't really know the difference between all the different types of karate but good luck with what you and DD decide

 

[Christine]

My DS (10) started Tae Kwon Do this past January for much the same reasons as you're looking at. While I wouldn't call my son "unathletic" he is certainly no athlete. Because of this, he finds competitive sports very stressful because if you screw up, there's always someone degrading you--at least on the boys' teams.

We pretty much had to drag him to Tae Kwon Do. I thought it would be good for him because it is very individual and you go at your own pace. Your personal performance has absolutely no bearing on anyone else in the class.

He started out as a no belt/white belt (beginner). There were people in the class ranging from age 4 all the way up to what looked like age 40. The same can be said of the higher belts. He is a green belt, but there are green belts much younger than him and much older. When you get in the class, the "age factor" kind of disappears.

I cannot tell you the difference in each martial arts. I only know Tae Kwon Do. I would say that their moves and philosophy different between each art. Tae Kwon Do seems to be the "big" thing around here.

I would highly recommend this especially if your DD is asking to go. My neighbor just started her 9 year old and she is just in love with it. I started my 14 year old DD in over the summer (just for exercise). I had to bribe her to go with a very expensive pair of shoes. She fell in love with it too and has been invited to join the leadership team where she practices.

So from a "non-sporting" family, I can't say enough good things about it.

 

[Bob Slydell]

DS (5) has been doing Tae Kwon Do for about a year and a half now. He loves it -- it really helps if the school you go to has a teacher who's good with kids -- his teacher is simply put, the best kids' teacher I've ever seen, she's absolutely wonderful with them.

DS is in a program they call Tiny Tigers, which I believe goes up to 8 years old, but the same school also offers kids programs for older kids as well, from beginner up to black belt.

 

[clarabelle]

Thanks everyone -you are incouraging!

 

[alabamaalan]

If you live near any sizeable city you will probably have many choices to make.

There are hard styles versus soft styles, schools that focus on practical self defense, and schools that are more geared for exercise and sport.

Don't rush, ask around and visit the schools. Most instructors will welcome visitors and will speak to you and answer questions at the conclusion of class time.

If the studio has a large number of students, then she will probably be in a class that is only for beginning children. If adults and children of different ranks are combined, she will still work more extensively with others of the same ability and age most likely.

If cost is a factor you may find classes at a local YMCA, church, or school gym being rented in the evenings by a qualified instructor that does not have a large studio.

I hope that my daughters will be interested when they are a bit older. (Most schools are capable of teaching children much younger than your daughter, so she is certainly not too young) With a proper instructor to learn from, martial arts can offer exercise, defense training, boost self esteem and develop better focus.

A plus is that it doesn't have to be competitive as so many other sports will require; it can be all about self-improvement.

Good luck

 

[ckay87]

My sons have been doing karate for over 3 years. They do Taekwondo with an ATA school. Both are just about to test for their black belts. It has been a fantastic sport and it is very much what you make of it. It can be a nice evening exercise activity or it can get pretty intense with tournaments, competitions, different leadership and instructor programs.

My only gripe with this school is that it is expensive...very expensive. They cut us a deal because we were the first class when the school opened, but the typical student pays $80 or $90 per month plus a testing fee of $40 every other month. Equipment purchase is required and hugely marked up (IMO).

We are coming to the end of our contract with the school and after the boys get their black belts it gets even more expensive. We're not going to let them continue with this school.

While they are very disappointed, we are helping them find another type of martial arts program because it is a very valuable sport. Our guys are not into the team sport thing, but the individualized nature of karate has really appealed to them. We're looking at our local YMCA's judo program.

I can't speak very well to what other types of martial arts are about. But Taekwondo has very limited contact. Sparring is just "touch" and very well-padded. The focus is on the movement of the forms. So I think Taekwondo is a nice way to start out.

10 years old is NO WAY too old to begin. A lot of parents in our school have begun because of their kids. We also have college and high school students who are new white belts. There's another plus for martial arts - never too old to start. I really believe that cannot be said for most kids' activities. Athletics programs are available so early that kids begin young and by the time they're 9, they're pros. There's little room for a 10 year old soccer beginner, for example.

In fact, as your DD approaches that awkward period of adolescence, karate could be just the confidence (and strength) builder she needs. That's when my older DS began. He's 12 now and probably the most well-build 12 yo I know. Very muscular from all the push ups they're made to do.

Lots of discipline involved. Lots of emphasis on respect for ranks, instructors, etc. In addition to the bowing they do (strong backs!) eveything else is a loud "yes sir!" and "yes maam!"

It's good stuff - I wouldn't hesitate.

 

[Christine]

My sons have been doing karate for over 3 years. They do Taekwondo with an ATA school. Both are just about to test for their black belts. It has been a fantastic sport and it is very much what you make of it. It can be a nice evening exercise activity or it can get pretty intense with tournaments, competitions, different leadership and instructor programs.

My only gripe with this school is that it is expensive...very expensive. They cut us a deal because we were the first class when the school opened, but the typical student pays $80 or $90 per month plus a testing fee of $40 every other month. Equipment purchase is required and hugely marked up (IMO).

We are coming to the end of our contract with the school and after the boys get their black belts it gets even more expensive. We're not going to let them continue with this school.

While they are very disappointed, we are helping them find another type of martial arts program because it is a very valuable sport. Our guys are not into the team sport thing, but the individualized nature of karate has really appealed to them. We're looking at our local YMCA's judo program.

I can't speak very well to what other types of martial arts are about. But Taekwondo has very limited contact. Sparring is just "touch" and very well-padded. The focus is on the movement of the forms. So I think Taekwondo is a nice way to start out.

10 years old is NO WAY too old to begin. A lot of parents in our school have begun because of their kids. We also have college and high school students who are new white belts. There's another plus for martial arts - never too old to start. I really believe that cannot be said for most kids' activities. Athletics programs are available so early that kids begin young and by the time they're 9, they're pros. There's little room for a 10 year old soccer beginner, for example.

In fact, as your DD approaches that awkward period of adolescence, karate could be just the confidence (and strength) builder she needs. That's when my older DS began. He's 12 now and probably the most well-build 12 yo I know. Very muscular from all the push ups they're made to do.

Lots of discipline involved. Lots of emphasis on respect for ranks, instructors, etc. In addition to the bowing they do (strong backs!) eveything else is a loud "yes sir!" and "yes maam!"

It's good stuff - I wouldn't hesitate.

I have to agree with EVERYTHING ckay said. Also, ckay, I do think it is kind of expensive. I pay $88.00 per month for my 1st child enrolled and $75.00 per month for the second child. That's with a 10% military discount! But, the way I look at it: they can go as many times a week as we can get them there, it will never have to be skipped or missed because of another activity, it is just so flexible it is worth the $$$$.

We actually picked our school by the traffic patterns. Our traffic is horrendous in the evenings and I just didn't want to spend my evenings getting them to and from Tae Kwon Do. So, I picked a place that is close and I only have to travel through a neighborhood to get to. I feel that I really lucked out because the instructors are just so nice. And one or two of them are just so good with the younger children that the kids can't HELP but love it there. I am in awe of how well they work with the kids.

 

[taekwondo mom]

DD 12 has been doing Taekwondo for 4 years now ... She loves it ..She does Taekwondo America... Tell her to give it a try it's a great program...

 

[BalooTheBear]

As stated here there are many different styles of Karate to choice from and most schools will offer a 1-2 weeks trial. My advice is to shop around and try to pick a school that isn't what I would call a "Chop Shop Mill". That's where they try to get as many new students signing up as they can and just cycle them through the motions. Those schools are only out for the money, so high turnovers are common.... (Just my 2cents)...

DD1 started taking Tang Soo Do when she was 7yos, wouldn't recommend younger than 6yo - not enough concentration, and it took about 6-7 years to earn her Black Belt (normal amount of time for this style, if they teach it correctly). What she has gained from could never be replaced and she will always be a Black Belt....

DD2 started last year when she was 6yos and she has reached 8th Gup level(Orange). She just loves the classes....

So, shop around a bit - find a school and an instructor you like.... Also, I agree it is expensive...........

 

[WDW LOVR]

Karate is Japanese, Tae kwon do is Korean. Karate is more hands and Tae kwon do is more feet, although both styles use both.

My son started Karate when he was 6 (because of the teenage mutant ninja turtles). It took him 7 years to get his black belt, but he is now 17 and helps teach a class at the local university.

Karate was wonderful for him. It's given him such self confidence. He's had a couple of occasions where punks at school have tried to pick fights with him and he just laughs and walks away because he has nothing to prove. As a parent that is perfect. Now part of me sometimes feels like telling him to make the punk bleed, but I don't.

A little advise. There are lots of schools out there. Most will give you some type of trial period for a set fee. Don't mean to be offensive to anyone, but there are schools that are "black belt mills". They test the kids for a higher rank every other month or so, sometimes every month and put out black belts in a few years. If that's what you want, great, but the whole purpose is self defense, confidence, respect and to be honest most kids I've seen at the schools take longer than that to develop those skills.

Be careful where the school makes you buy gear directly from them. You can get the same equipment at martial arts stores in your town or online from a couple of different martial arts/full contact sports websites. A good martial arts school is more interested in martial arts than the money. And there is no way a school should cost more once you become a black belt. In fact, most schools around here drop most, if not all fees, when people become black belts because they start to help out teaching etc. I would also ask around for opinions on the different schools. Someone you know or are aquainted with will probably have had some experience they can relate.

Hope this helps.

 

[parrothead365]

Good advise already given but here's my 2cents. DS started around his 10th bday. We have seen a great improvment in his agility and balance. He has always enjoyed team sports but really loves the "oneness" of Karate. He competes in tournys here in N. Florida and does fairly well. The Key is to find the right school for you. It is the teacher(sensi) that makes the difference. Ours encourage prospective students to try several classes before they start to pay. We pay $50 amonth and go several times (3-4)a week. DS style is Shotokan but I think any style would do as long as you feel comfortable about the school. Again beware of the belt mills as mentioned. Talk to other parents or look for a tourny in your area and go watch. Many different schools and styles will be represented there. Hope you find a good one.

 

[tinkerbell1967]

I will agree with everyone else, it is a very expensive sport. My daughter started when she was 9 and is now 15, she received her black belt last year in April. It was great for her, she was very shy and this brought her out of it. I cannot say enough good things though, I feel it has helped her with her school work, and she is a high school cheerleader and I feel that it helped her prepare for that and doing the tryouts in front of a group of people. She was instructed in Tang So Do. Our monthly fee was $50 but everytime she test for her next belt it went any where from $45 on up to her black belt test which totaled $550!!

 

[clarabelle]

Thanks again

 

[becjlek]

My DS does RyuKyu Kempo Karate. It is "life protection" . He has done it for 2 years now. I pay 35.00 every 6 weeks. There are no competitions and testing is not very often. Testing costs us 45.00. In 2 years he has tested each time it was available and he has only tested 8 times so far.

 

[MrsNick]

Karate is Japanese, Tae kwon do is Korean. Karate is more hands and Tae kwon do is more feet, although both styles use both.

My son started Karate when he was 6 (because of the teenage mutant ninja turtles). It took him 7 years to get his black belt, but he is now 17 and helps teach a class at the local university.

Karate was wonderful for him. It's given him such self confidence. He's had a couple of occasions where punks at school have tried to pick fights with him and he just laughs and walks away because he has nothing to prove. As a parent that is perfect. Now part of me sometimes feels like telling him to make the punk bleed, but I don't.

A little advise. There are lots of schools out there. Most will give you some type of trial period for a set fee. Don't mean to be offensive to anyone, but there are schools that are "black belt mills". They test the kids for a higher rank every other month or so, sometimes every month and put out black belts in a few years. If that's what you want, great, but the whole purpose is self defense, confidence, respect and to be honest most kids I've seen at the schools take longer than that to develop those skills.

Be careful where the school makes you buy gear directly from them. You can get the same equipment at martial arts stores in your town or online from a couple of different martial arts/full contact sports websites. A good martial arts school is more interested in martial arts than the money. And there is no way a school should cost more once you become a black belt. In fact, most schools around here drop most, if not all fees, when people become black belts because they start to help out teaching etc. I would also ask around for opinions on the different schools. Someone you know or are aquainted with will probably have had some experience they can relate.

Hope this helps.

I totally agree.

Also, look for a school with classes that are orderly and well organized. Observe a class. See if the instructors take the effort to make sure each student is performing each move correctly. If not, I would look for another school. DH is somewhat of an expert in this and this is what he would tell you.

For good basics, JuDo or JuJitsu would be a perfect way to begin in martial arts. (Do = Way; Jitsu = Art of).

Good luck. I think this is a worthwhile endeavor.

 

[goofy!]

.....

 

[BalooTheBear]

Deleted...

 

[grlpwrd]

My 10 y.o. DD is interested in taking Karate
She is very un athletic and has had trouble finding a sport she likes or is able to do
Does anyone have any experience with this? Will there be other 10 y.o. beginners?
What is the difference in the different types of martial arts? Karate, tae kwon do, etc....
Thanks!!

Our 14yo, 10yp, and 7yo dd's all take kung fu from a sifu who is from China, who doesn't advertise, and who owns a Chinese restaurant. They take it for exercise, focus, self defense, and because we are part Chinese. It is a long commute for us, though, but it's worth it to me.

I got referrals to his place and I went in to watch and observe. I was pleased with what I saw and experienced. Make sure you at least observe some classes and read the fine print on the contract first.

There are kids' classes and adult classes. It doesn't matter how old you are where they attend. There are also tai chi classes, too. My kids are taught in the tradition of family-style wing chun.

GL!

 

[tinaluis]

My DH has a black belt in Hapkido (a Korean martial art) and is currently studying Aikido (Japanese martial art). We chose both his current school and his former one because they charge a set tuition per month (on a 3 year contract it averaged out to $87 a month at the old school and about $70 a month at the new school) with no mandatory testing fees every two months or so. When he is promoted to another belt, he only has to pay $15 for the new belt. Many of the schools we looked at had mandatory testing every 2-3 months, testing fees, tournament fees, etc. that were high, in addition to tuition which, in and of itself, was pretty high ($95-$145 a month). Good luck in your search. I think most children would benefit from martial arts, whether it's karate, tae kwon do or any other art.