Martial Arts Classes in Lakewood: How to Choose a Martial Arts School for Your Child Part 2
Posted: April 24, 2018
Talk to Instructors, are they qualified?
It's important to know the qualifications of the instructors at a martial arts school. Ask about their training and find out if they are certified. People who want to teach martial arts may be personal trainers who are certified as martial arts instructors, or they may have certification from associations within their sport. For instance, a good martial arts instructor may have a certification from an organization like the American Taekwondo Association. Instructors teaching karate for kids should also be certified in first-aid and CPR in case a child is injured during class.
If you’re interested in having your child participate in competitions, you need to verify any certifications or licenses required by state law. In California, amateur competitive matches must be sanctioned and supervised by an amateur sanctioning organization for matches involving martial arts forms that include blows or strikes to the head. At U.S. Taekwondo Academy, our students compete in the Tournaments, that begin with district / regional tournaments and continue on until World Championships where finalists from all over the world compete in one of the largest Martial Arts tournaments in the world.
Class Sizes
When observing a class, check to see how many instructors or helpers there are in the class. Class sizes should be small enough to allow children to learn the sport and receive help when it is needed. This cannot be achieved if the class is too large. We recommend one instructor/helper per 15 students which is what we pride ourselves with at U.S. Taekwondo Academy , we’ve seen students have the most success with this ratio.
As your child advances in his or her skills, the class sizes may increase, but beginner's classes should be conducive to children learning the basics of the martial arts form. When touring a class or martial arts school, see if there are children or teenagers in intermediate or advanced classes as that will speak to the ability of the school to teach and retain students.
School Organization
When touring the school, find out if they have a structured curriculum taught by the instructors. Most martial arts schools have a structured program that allows students to learn as much as possible about their sport.
Ask if the school has a creed they teach their students as most schools have a creed they try to abide by and teach their students to memorize. Read it to make sure it aligns with your family's values and to ensure you feel comfortable allowing your children to learn from the school. For example, at U.S. Taekwondo Academy we actively encourage our students to become better students in school, better sons or daughters at home, and we provide clear guidelines to promote collaboration among them.
Additionally, find out when classes are available to see if they fit into your schedule. Some classes may be held in the evening depending on the child's age, or some may be available after school.
Lastly, ask how often your child will be expected to train each week. For the youngest beginners, they may only need to attend class once a week, but as they progress in their martial arts style, they may need to attend class two or three times a week to receive proper training.
Take Advantage of a Trial Offer
Most martial arts classes in Lakewood you will consider for your child will offer a trial program. For example, at U.S. Taekwondo Academy right now you can purchase 3 classes for only $17.99 AND they include a uniform which your child will need too! This is a great deal, click here to view this offer right away.
Equipment Costs
Some schools include the cost of the uniform, or gi, with the membership fees. They may also have safety equipment, such as headgear, wrist and leg pads available for your child to use if they don’t have their own.
If you need to purchase a gi for your child, they can cost anywhere from $17 to $50 depending on the size, the type you need and where it is purchased. If the school you choose has a trial offer (like we do), you will be able to save some money initially. At U.S. Taekwondo Academy students receive a uniform included in the $17.99 offer for the first 3 classes which is an awesome value!
Typically, protective gear is not usually required until a child advances in training and begins applying the basics of what they have learned in sparring. This may include headgear, gloves, protective vests and vary depending on the school / martial arts style taught.
Testing Fees
As your child moves up the ranks in their chosen martial arts form, they will test to earn different ranks or belts.
There are usually testing fees involved, they vary from school to school.
There may also be costs associated with having your child compete in matches, such as entrance fees, transportation, food and costs for accommodations.
Conclusion
Learning martial arts has many physical and mental health benefits for children of all ages. The discipline, focus, and control they will learn in their classes can be applied to many aspects of their lives, both as children and as adults.
Begin your child’s martial arts journey today at U.S. Taekwondo Academy
