5 Ways Kids Gain Confidence Through Martial Arts

Every few months, someone stumbles into Superdojo and asks if I know Master [Insert Random Last Name Here]. As usual, with a smile on my face, I tell them no. They immediately go into the life story of this person who trained in [Insert Asian Country Here] for so many years and they learned everything they know from [Insert Someone Else's Name Here]. Then they talk about all the things they used to do in class and how you would leave black and blue and how hard everything used to be.  Then they would smile and leave.

I always wonder what attracts them in my door. What causes them to stop what they are doing or get a spark of initiative to walk into Superdojo just to ask if I knew someone.  It's weird to me.

On the other hand, 99% of people that come into my school is to USE the physical skills we teach to GET a benefit.  It's usually a specific life skill coupled with self-defense.  The most common reason why people join martial arts is one word: Confidence.

It's easy to see a kid who became a black belt showing confidence but HOW did they get it?  Here's how it happens:

1. Small Victories: We use stripes on their belt to show a complete challenge and we test them every 2 weeks. When kids accomplish specific challenges (physical skills) and are responsible for achieving them, they get a self-esteem boost.
2. Positive Learning:  We know that kids love gratification and need attention.  We strive to keep a positive atmosphere to teach them and allow them to get better without negatively comparing them to the other people in class.  The kids know that if they get better, they are doing great. As they get better, realized that they shouldn't be afraid to learn new things because as long as they stick to it, they can get it. PS- Nothing is wrong with a little friendly competition, but that's different.
3. Rewarded for improvement: When a kid sticks to a specific set of moves, self-defense techniques, or sparring drills and get good at it, they are rewarded with their next level in the form of a Belt.  They strive to get to the next level and "climb the ladder," which helps to set them up for success in the future: At school, on teams, and in the job-world after they finish school.
4. Social Education & Positive Role Model Instructors: Students not only learn the physical martial arts skills but we use it to teach character development.  When two kids have an argument, we use it as an opportunity to teach the whole class about how to solve problems. We not only teach spontaneous character drills but we use our curriculum to inspire kids to have a better attitude, team spirit, discipline, determination, respect, and excellence. Kids that act like super heroes will feel like a super hero.
5. Physical Self-Defense: Students that learn how to protect themselves and their friends will have the physical abilities to stand up for themselves so they won't be afraid to stand up for themselves verbally. We use 18 different self-defense scenarios to try and prepare kids for anything.

When a kid has confidence, they aren't afraid of anything. Confidence helps kids make the right decision for themselves and when confronted by peer pressure.