Being the subject of bullying can be hard for our kids to deal with. Particularly if it’s sustained. It can make school life a real challenge, living in constant fear of the next time they are subject to bullying.
Before we get into the positive impact training your children in basic self-defence can have, and all the other associated benefits, let’s first look at what bullying is, the signs to look out for and the long-term damage it can cause.
In essence, bullying is any behaviour that hurts someone else. This can include name calling, pushing, or hitting, verbal bullying such as spreading rumours, and any type of threatening or belittling behaviour.
And it can happen anywhere.
At school, at home and more regularly now, online in the form of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place online and unlike face-to-face bullying, it can follow the child wherever they go, via social networks, gaming, and mobile phones.
Being subjected to this over a long period of time and can hurt a child both physically and emotionally.
The Signs of Bullying
There isn’t one sign that will confirm for certain if your child’s being bullied, but things to watch out for are:
- Physical injuries, like bruises, cuts, and scrapes.
- Not wanting to go to school.
- Faking illness or skipping school.
- Belongings getting ‘lost’ or damaged.
- Their grades show signs of decline.
- Asking for, or stealing, money to give to whoever’s bullying them.
- Displaying nervous behaviour, losing their confidence, or becoming distressed and withdrawn.
- Eating or sleeping problems.
The Effects of Bullying
The effects of bullying can last into adulthood. At its worst, bullying has driven children and young people to self-harm and even suicide.
Children who are bullied can develop a range of issues in later life, such as:
- Mental health problems like depression and anxiety.
- They retreat into solitude and fewer friendships.
- Not accepted by their peers.
- Can develop tendencies of suspicion of others.
Even if bullying isn’t an issue in your house right now, it’s important to discuss it so your kids will be prepared if it does happen.
One thing you can do for them, is give them the gift of martial arts.
Through martial arts, you can not only prepare and equip them to be able to deal with these types of situations physically, but you will help them develop the verbal and awareness skills to de-escalate potential situations without the need for them having to use force.
The Benefits of Martial Arts for Kids
Building Confidence
Martial arts can help build their confidence; a trait that can help prevent them from being targeted.
Engaging in a physical activity in a supportive and fun group environment, can help kids build their confidence. They are taught that there are no limitations to their progress. Plus, they also meet new people and form great friendships with their class mates.
We have seen firsthand how some kids come to us shy and insecure, and they develop into strong and confident kids. Something that can prevent them being targeted by bullies in the first place.
Discipline
Our team of qualified and experienced instructors teach and educate about discipline throughout the lesson.
We deliver a 2-minute ‘mat chat’ in every lesson. This hones their focus onto one area, for example, how to deal with bullies, what to do in certain situations, how to act more confident, and many others.
We’ll also teach them how to manage their own behaviour, so as not to provoke or trigger a bully.
Martial arts can also help prevent potential, or current bullies, bullying. We do this by giving them a definitive and consistent structure of discipline. This helps them learn which types of behaviour are acceptable and which are not.
Verbal De-Escalation
Naturally, martial arts will give them a range of physical skills to deal with any bullying situation, but it’s their increased confidence that can help stop something before it starts.
The confidence they develop through training and learning martial arts, will stop them from feeling the need to prove themselves by engaging in violent behaviour. Meaning when faced with these situations, they are more likely to avoid or stop them happening as they will be well-equipped to find another way to deal with the situation.
Respect – For themselves and for others
Teaching them respect starts the second they set foot into the academy. As the enter, they bow at the door, and they also bow to their instructors before beginning their class.
This teaches the children to be disciplined and respectful towards their elders which enables children to respect their surroundings from a young age.
They are also taught to respect themselves and to have positive feelings and attitudes towards themselves. Through regular training, they will experience an immense sense of pride in their abilities which will in turn, help develop their self-respect.
Self Defence
Finally, martial arts will give them the physical skills to defend themselves, should they be forced with no other option to handle the situation.
We teach a range of skills to deal with all types of potential threats from basic self-defence using blocks, kicks, and punches, through to more advanced techniques to restrain an attacker or take on multiple attackers.
Of course, we hope that they never have to use them, but better to be equipped and not have to use it, than to have to use it and not be equipped!
Total Martial Arts can help your child today
As well as all of this, martial arts teaches and helps them with self-control, focus, co-ordination, leadership, balance, improved memory, team work and fitness.
At Total Martial Arts, our aim is to teach the most functional martial arts in a fun and friendly environment. And with over 45 years of martial arts experience, we know how to deliver fast and effective results.
Get in touch today and take advantage of our free trial, available right now!