Why Choose a Martial Arts After-School Program?

Parents often struggle to find an after school program that would be the best match for their child, combining the perfect balance of safety, fun, and development. On an academic level, some kids might go to tutoring a few times a week. However, if parents are also interested in investing in their children’s all around wellbeing, Total Impact strongly recommends enrolling your child in a martial arts program! Research shows that children will experience tremendous growth physically, emotionally, socially, and even spiritually.

At Total Impact Martial Arts and Fitness, our youth have so much fun meeting new friends, becoming self-aware and developing into healthy, balanced individuals. Our team prides themselves on fostering trust with the parents and our students. Check out a few important benefits your child will gain from practicing martial arts weekly…

Discipline and Responsibility

The practice of martial arts teaches students how to develop attitudes and tools to form life skills that will shape them into kind, respectful, responsible, caring, and productive human beings. Children must listen and develop a respect for their teachers. One way is through physically bowing to their elders or training partners. Throughout training, everyone in the room respects each other in their tone, speech, and interactions. Teachers have a responsibility to model and train their students to reach their highest potential. Students must take care of their equipment and adhere to the rules (and creed) of the dojo. If students want to move up belt levels, they have to be disciplined and motivated for self improvement by practicing regularly! Everyone doesn’t move up each time nor do they win every tournament. Martial Arts also teaches humility and how to handle defeat. In life, all of us come up against defeats and challenges, having the tools to rise up as a warrior in their story and not the victim will serve them throughout their lives.

Increased Socialization and Friendship

Childhood has evolved into a more challenging environment with the rise in bullying. In a previous blog post, we highlighted martial arts as the secret weapon to the anti-bullying efforts. Teaching children how to become their own heroes instead of the victim in their story and how to stand up for others will affect change in this hurting world. Practicing karate multiple times per week with the same kids will increase your child’s opportunity to make long-lasting friends because friends who train together stay together and promotes a sense of belonging. Science shows that any time you spend hours per week with the same group of people, it’s a natural effect to start making friendships.

Improved Health and Wellness

We know children struggle with obesity in America as our society is surrounded by sugary snacks and screen time. Total Impact’s after-school kids karate programs are fun and high energy! Our developmental programs are reward driven to promote positive learning and team building. If your child participates in a regular after-school martial arts program, plays outside or participates in team sports, he or she will be meeting the criteria to lay the foundation for a strong, healthy body that will serve the child well for years to come. What a return on investment!

Total Impact Martial Arts and Fitness is dedicated to serving our community’s youth. Empowering children to live with confidence, increase their strength mentally and physically, lift others up, stay motivated, strive for excellence, and treat their family and friends with respect. Visit our beautiful new state-of-the-art studio in Arlington Heights and learn about the kids karate classes we offer!