What are the differences between Sports and Martial Arts/Child Development?
There are probably too many to list.
Let’s start by emphasizing that both can play important roles in your child’s growth and experiences.
Sports such as basketball, baseball, soccer, etc., are activities that are part-time, temporary activities that can provide important social interactions and experiences in team building, “winning and losing”. Many times, if the child is not exceptional at the sport, they may “sit on the bench” watching versus being involved to a high level.
Martial Arts/Child Development is focused on personal development. There is no “sitting on the bench”. Each child participates and develops at their pace and capabilities.
Goals; Sports focuses on winning. Martial Arts focuses on personal development
Focus; Sports focuses on team success. Martial Arts focuses on individual progression.
Training Environment; Sports focuses on finding the “best” at the sport. Martial Arts?Child Development focuses on preparing the child to be able to better protect themselves and future life success.
Training Methods; Sports offer protective gear to help limit injuries. Martial Arts focuses on using training methods to avoid danger while teaching safe, effective techniques. How safe? Safer than fishing!
We encourage parents to allow their children to try a wide range of sports, but there is a reason that so many doctors of various practices recommend martial arts. Martial Arts not only helps in so many areas of a child’s life, but it also one of the few things that teaches them committment, which is so critical to their future success.
If they don’t understand how to commit to something, even if it gets difficult, they are much more likely to quit at tasks, jobs and more as they grow older.
What are the odds? Statistically, there is a 0.023% chance that a student athlete will become a professional sports player. There is a 100% chance that a child will need the proper tools and commitment to become successful in life. There is an unbelievable number of professional sports players, successful business professionals, celebrities and more who are also established martial artists.
In our Student Manual we use a quick comparison to Sports and Martial Arts
Sports = You are a player. Martial Arts = You are a student
Sports = You have a coach. Martial Arts = You have an Instructor/Teacher
Sports = A season lasts 1-2 months. Martial Arts = Much like school you can continue to take classes for a lifetime and never learn it all.
Martial Arts can and should be listed on resumes as it shows dedication and commitment along with a host of other potential skills based on experience that can translate into an edge in the employment marketplace.
Our location and focus is on Child Development and we are actually a licensed Child Development Center via SKILLZ International, be sure to check out all the reasons we are unique in what we offer and deliver by visting our website; www.CapeMartialArts.com