I think at that age unless your going to do it with them thier attention span is going to be lacking. You would be better off practicing simple moves one at a time with them occasionaly instead of several hour classes imho.
I don't agree that they should not begin learning the skills simply because they cannot use them well on those that would pose them the biggest threat.
However I do agree to the extent that it is dangerous to build thier confidence to such a level that they are less inclined to be aware and cautious because they are overly confident in thier abilities.
Being aware of adults, keeping distance from strangers, and yes recognizing a mother with children is likely a safer stranger than a guy are valuable. However the flip side is training people in thier developmental stages to rely on others for thier protection. Isn't that the antis perspective? Why be capable of doing what you cannot do as well as the police (as if they will always be present and your safety will always be thier priority) or someone else governmentaly sanctioned? Instilling that thier safety is thier responsibility is a valuable lesson. But in a child that includes escape, ways to hit and run, and most importantly ways to always stay 10(20?)+ feet away from any adult and be aware when someone is getting close to those boundries.
Martial arts at that age focus more on form than on doing practical damage to an attacker. So as it would be nothing but a socializing event there is probably better ones for them. I think part of kids problems today is they don't have the ability to become thier own person and find who they are because everything is so structured and formal. Whether it is school, after school programs, homework, video games etc..It is all clear cut with no imagination needed as everything is provided. I think activities where every action is not governed by a rule clearly written down help a child to gain some practice in using the morals and values you instill and teach them some decision making and responsibility. Getting some of that practice in before they also have hormones to contend with as teenagers is ideal. Of course the flip side is if you don't follow the mold used to form most of the sheeple your child will integrate with them at a slower rate as they won't be as similar.
No perfect solution, that I guess is why parenting is difficult, there is no rulebook that is best all of the time.
I don't agree that they should not begin learning the skills simply because they cannot use them well on those that would pose them the biggest threat.
However I do agree to the extent that it is dangerous to build thier confidence to such a level that they are less inclined to be aware and cautious because they are overly confident in thier abilities.
Being aware of adults, keeping distance from strangers, and yes recognizing a mother with children is likely a safer stranger than a guy are valuable. However the flip side is training people in thier developmental stages to rely on others for thier protection. Isn't that the antis perspective? Why be capable of doing what you cannot do as well as the police (as if they will always be present and your safety will always be thier priority) or someone else governmentaly sanctioned? Instilling that thier safety is thier responsibility is a valuable lesson. But in a child that includes escape, ways to hit and run, and most importantly ways to always stay 10(20?)+ feet away from any adult and be aware when someone is getting close to those boundries.
Martial arts at that age focus more on form than on doing practical damage to an attacker. So as it would be nothing but a socializing event there is probably better ones for them. I think part of kids problems today is they don't have the ability to become thier own person and find who they are because everything is so structured and formal. Whether it is school, after school programs, homework, video games etc..It is all clear cut with no imagination needed as everything is provided. I think activities where every action is not governed by a rule clearly written down help a child to gain some practice in using the morals and values you instill and teach them some decision making and responsibility. Getting some of that practice in before they also have hormones to contend with as teenagers is ideal. Of course the flip side is if you don't follow the mold used to form most of the sheeple your child will integrate with them at a slower rate as they won't be as similar.
No perfect solution, that I guess is why parenting is difficult, there is no rulebook that is best all of the time.
(I know what you are thinking)
