How Does Aikido Help Children?

Life throws us challenges every day – sometimes in the form of conflict with other people.  Children need to learn to deal with these challenges in a positive and non-violent manner. While most martial arts teach children how to kick and punch in an effort to teach self defense, the reality is that children internalize these skills as methods for dealing with conflict.

If a child’s only tools for dealing with conflict are aggression based skills, they will be left alone and confused when it comes to dealing with a young life’s more prevalent dangers: peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, bullying, teasing and the stresses of an ever increasing demand on children to do well in school.

Aikido is not fighting; it is blending with an attacker’s force and then redirecting it using balance, posture, and mental awareness.  Aikido is known for its graceful techniques and swift effortless movements.  Aikido is an excellent form of physical exercise, as well as self-defense.  However, the self defense that children learn in an Aikido class at the Toyoda Center Grand Rapids location is based on their increasing awareness of the potential dangers and their abilities to deal with them. During classes, students work with one another in a non-competitive, cooperative atmosphere to refine their movements and develop self-confidence.

What Else Will My Child Learn In An Aikido Class At The Toyoda Center?

In addition to the character development and life skills that are taught at the Toyoda Center Kids Aikido class, your child will also learn physical and verbal Self defense techniques to deal with bullies.  All classes also include training in Predator Awareness and in developing focus and concentration which helps tremendously in school.

What Kinds Of Physical Training Will My Child Do In An Aikido Class?

Children in the Aikido for Kids class at the Toyoda Center start out by learning how to safely and effectively get their bodies to the soft matted flooring. This entails learning how to safely roll and fall so that they can practice techniques with their partners and not be harmed in the process.

In addition to the physical techniques of Aikido, children in the Aikido class play lots of games that focus on gross motor movements and teach leadership skills. Many of the games have been designed to reinforce the physical techniques they’ve been practicing, but in the fun context of a game.

While getting physically fit in a fun and supportive environment, your child is learning how to deal with other children and adults in a very positive way. Children in the Aikido for Kids class are given many of the tools necessary to deal with the real conflicts they may face growing up, as well as effective physical and verbal self defense skills.

I’d like to bring my child(ren) in for a FREE 30 day trial of the Aikido For Kids class!