When my son was five-years-old he struggled with social delay and attention issues during transitions (ASD). We tried soccer (two times), but he would get very defensive and angry when the ball was taken from him and then…meltdown! A friend suggested Karate at Karate for Kids and I told him that I was waiting until he was little older, like around 7, after everything that happened with soccer I thought I should wait. My friend has a child with Autism and highly recommended that I check out the Karate for Kids program, as it had helped their kiddos confidence. So, I took a leap of faith and I did & my son was completely attached after his first lesson with a Black Belt instructor. My son has learned life skills that are turning him into a leader among peers (instead of an outcast) and the increase in self-confidence has lead him to a greater respect for himself and others. He now talks about vision and uses rules of conversation through effective communication and I cannot remember the last meltdown! As his confidence and discipline grew (from the Karate) the meltdowns faded away. He is now only months away from receiving his Black Belt and he is 7 years-old ~ WOW! I am so grateful that I listened to my friend and didn’t wait until he was older to try it out!
My hope in writing this post is that some of you who are thinking of waiting (like I was) will take that leap of faith (like I did) and will see amazing results when their child is confident, disciplined, and communicating like the leader they are born to be… Oh, and with a Black Belt around their waist and a huge smile on their face!
I know there are a ton or schools teaching Karate in the Valley, but the school my son attends is on Kyrene and Chandler Blvd. next to the Bashes and I know they have a couple more locations in other places like Cave Creek and LitchfieldPark. Defiantly check them out if you are interested in starting safety or Karate classes for your kids- I believe they are the best! (I have an education background, owned my own performing arts school for children, and was in martial arts as a teenager). Their website is www.karatebuilt.com or you can call them if you want at 480-961-3634.
