I’m considering signing my six year old up for martial arts class, but I’m not sure which one to choose. To be clear, it’s not because we’re dealing with a bullying situation or anything like that. It’s more about starting a new physical activity, but I do want my kid to get some self-defense skills out of it. Our local options appear to be Taekwondo, Kung-fu, and Jiu-Jitsu/MMA. I did Taekwondo when I was a kid and it was fine, but I’m not sure that it’s practical for self defense. Jiu-Jitsu/MMA seems very practical for self-defense, but the studios that offer it seem a little bit too blue-lives-matter for my liking. As for Kung-fu, I just know nothing about it.
How did you decide on a martial art for your kids?
The attitude of the teacher and other students matters more than the martial arts style. You want a fun, positive environment. Sit in on a class or two and talk to the other parents about their experiences. It should quickly become apparent whether you and your 6-year-old will enjoy that particular school or not.