Teaching a 6 Year Old How To Fight

[The Chosen]

So, when I was little I watched Power Rangers and obviously pretended to be them and fight the bad guys. So up until I started watching Buffy (til I was like nine) I had "pretended" to be a Power Ranger. And then as I was watching Buffy, I learned how to fight better. It's come in handy a few times, and I'm thinking about teaching my 6 year old little sister how to combat those nasty fifth graders at recess. I'm not sure if I should be doing this, but I think it'd be okay. You just never know when she's gonna the skill, so I started today. I started teaching her how to fight with swords (a bamboo stick and a lightsaber) and she's pretty good now. (She had lots of practice, though.)

And now she's uber-interested in punches and kicks. I'm not sure how I should approach this and make it less violent than it has to be...like what should I teach a 6 year old? Like what "forms"? I wanna continue with being her own little personal instructor so that as she gets older she can learn more and more...I guess I'm like her Watcher now.

And the only reason I'm doing this is so that she isn't a victim. Ever...So...

Without further ado: Punches/kicks for a 6 year old?

 

[Rebecca]

Does she really need to learn to fight at the age of 6, it sounds pretty scary to me! Are other children her age fighting already, with serious kicks and punches?

This may be just where I come from but I teach mostly 3 year olds but i have taught up to Year 1 which is age 5/6 and I've never once seen a child that age throw a punch! At that age its mostly measly pinching, biting and a few kicks and then the child will run off in the direction of the teacher.

Certainly at that age I wouldn't encourage her to be fighting, sure tell her to stick up for herself if another child starts but at that age there should be constant supervision at all times to prevent that kind of thing! If you do want her to learn some self-defence then perhaps you could ask your parents about enrolling her into karate or judo classes.. but if you do want to teach her a few tricks yourself, you should make it clear to her that it's for self-defence only. I've no idea what kind of punches/kicks you could teach her though.. I went to a few judo classes when I was younger but I've never been one for kicking or punching.

 

[Blondie Bear]

I don't see anything wrong with allowing a 6-year-old to learn martial arts. Hopefully it will keep her from having a victim mentality and when she's older evil people won't be able to take advantage of her. However, unless you've been through some of these classes yourself, I wouldn't suggest that YOU teach her. Work with her, sure. Or, hey, here's a thought: take classes with her. Or, if that's too weird (if the instructor divides up age groups, for example), let her teach you what she's learned at her class that day.

At the same time, most martial arts don't teach people about the kind of fighting that goes on in schoolyards or during muggings/rapings/holdups/etc. Finding her a class that will teach her how to break out of common holds and where to kick so it REALLY hurts (so she can then run like hell) probably isn't a bad idea, but make sure she's mature enough to know NOT to do it to some random kid on the playground first.

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

Can I just check what kind of training you have?

If the amount of training you have is solely what you have seen on TV then this is my suggestion.

STOP NOW.

You have no technical training, you are not equiped to teach anyone because you are basing your experience on nothing more than choreographed dancing that looks fantastic but has NO basis in fighting skill, worse still you're not even trained by a professional you're copying from an edited TV show.

You may THINK you look cool and you may have scared off one or two people but trust me, if someone who knows how to fight starts, your fancy moves will be as ineffective as the contraceptive used on the night George W was conceived.

If you 'train' your sister at the age of 6 in these moves, then she will be severly disadvantaged too.
She will have a misplaced confidence in her abilities that could exacerbate any situation and she will NOT be equiped to defend herself.

STOP playing silly games trying to be a 'big' man because you will do nothing other than open yourself and your sister to danger.

Fighting is not a game, you are NOT living in a TV show and you are not a 'watcher'.

If you fear that your sister and yourself are at a physical disadvantage then both go to properly designated classes with adequately trained tutors who can teach you the art.

If you do anything other than the advice above you are a silly silly boy.

 

[palabravampiress]

Well...

I missed the Power Rangers rage, myself, but when my cousins were little, they used to play Power Rangers. While doing so, one of them fell. She fell and ruptured her spleen. She had to have it removed and everything. She almost died. Fortunately, she lived right next to the hospital. Like, right next to it. With that in mind, I advise you to get her into an actual class rather than to try to mimic TV shows. It's just safer.

That said, I think it's a good idea to teach kids self-defense. I took a class when I was 14 or so. That's a lot older than 6, I'll grant you, but I agree that kids who know how to defend themselves are less likely to be bullied or victimized. I'd just go the safe route and enroll in a class.

 

[Black Eye Guy]

I'd agree with BotD, unless you have practical training yourself I would stop now. There is so many little things that you would need to know that you may not be able to teach, things like how to defend properly or fall properly - All of which can be more of a benefit then knowing how to throw a punch.

I don't think theres anything wrong with a 6 year old learning how to fight, the class's would also teach that you don't use the skills you learn to hurt people you learn them to defend yourself. And if they were to go for actual training later on, they may have picked up some bad habits they will have problems getting rid f.

 

[white avenger]

We have what we call a "little Dragons" class at our school for children from age 4 thru age 6 0r 7, depending on when they are ready to participate in the regular classes. The little Dragons classes consist more of developing flexibility, balance, and coordination than actual martial arts skills, though basic kicks, punches, and blocks art taught, along with a very basic form. The children are closely supervised to assure safety and to be certain that, when they do spar they are equipped with all of the proper safety equipment, and they are taught that sparing is not fighting, that fighting is only a last resort option, and that anger in the class will not be tolerated.

An excellent idea is for you to begin taking formal classes at the same time that your sister begins her studies, so that you can work together away from class practicing the things you have learned. This gives you an excellent shared interest.

My advice to parents is this: You have to be careful when selecting a martial arts school, as there are more than a few excellent martial artists running schools who, though they are champions, have no ability to teach, especially young children. Check the qualifications of the instructors carefully (my wife is a retired school teacher with a master's degree in Elementary Education and specializing in Special Education), and don't be afraid to ask for references. As a general rule, smaller classes are better because each student receives more individual attention, but that is not always the case. Almost all reputable schools will allow you to participate in at least 1, sometimes several, classes before you commit to anything.

Another consideration is just what martial art you wish to study. Depending on the availability of schools in your area, Tae Kwon Do or Karate are probably best for the beginner, rather than the grappling arts, Judo. Ju-Jitsu, Aikido, etc.

The study of the martial arts can be a life long commitment or a summer activity, whichever you choose to make it. Find yourself a good school, a good instructor, and have fun.

 

[The Chosen]

Sounds great, WA. I shall try that. Thank God I stopped at just swinging around a lightsaber...lmao! Thanks y'all for your suggestions and advice. I'll look into the martial arts branch we have here in my town. 🙂

 

[SpikedBuffy]

I guess I kind of see your point about wanting your sister to understand how to defend herself, but that needs to be done through a class of teaching this by a professional. Martial Arts training would help her to understand.

But reading your post about how you want her to be able to beat up the kids on the playground... you just freaked me out. Let me tell you, as a 2nd grade teacher, children have much more to worry about than knowing how to beat someone up on the playground. Actively seeking out that revenge is not healthy for a small child. They need to rely on adults to solve those types of problems instead of solving those themselves. They are taught in school to approach their problems with words and respect instead of violence. Plus, if she gets caught beating somebody up in school (even if she didn't started, she's just defending) I can guarantee you that she will receive consequences, and they are not good. Physical abuse usually results in a suspension.

 

[The Chosen]

But reading your post about how you want her to be able to beat up the kids on the playground... you just freaked me out.

Oh, God, no! Is that how I came across?! I simply meant I want her to know how to defend herself!!! Not good that I sounded like I meant that... :S

I get where you're all coming from, and I trust you guys more than anyone else, so the sensai/student contract has been terminated.

 

[Vicariously]

Hi Chosen! I took the time to read everyones responses including yours. I have a question though for you hun. Does your sister have a problem with bullies now? Is that why you wanted to teach her or are you just preparing her for any bullies she may face in the future? I would agree that taking an actual class would be helpful. Personaly I would be worried that she might not actually understand that fighting isnt acceptable if she is shown how to, you know? I respect that you want to be the one to show her...so my advice would be the same as white avengers, go to a class together and practice together. 🙂 I think you will enjoy it seeing as you seem to already have interest in martial arts. We are all here to offer advice on how to deal with playground bullies in a much more constructive way if you need us in that respect. It's nicee to see that you care so much for your little sis Chosen. Its very refreshing, I hope you continue to look out for her best interests.

 

[palabravampiress]

The Chosen agrees: oh god...im sorry bout your cousin!

Oh, Gosh. That was years ago. She's 19 now, I think, and she was under 10 when this happened. She lived and grew up to be perfectly healthy.

 

[anyatara]

You're teaching a six year old how to fight...? I'm just about to turn 13, and I've never been taught how to fight. For one reason. If you get taught how to fight, and something happens that you don't like, you turn to what you know best...You really want her fighting all the time for no reason? My parents came down strongly against it when my brother wanted to teacher me, 'cause, if I'd learned how I'd probably have been suspended time and time again by now. It's not really the greatest idea in the world.

 

[Vicariously]

maybe you should asks the mods to close or delete this thread Chosen...as I think you've already come to you decision that you are ceasing your teachings...I think people arent going to read all of your replies and keep saying the same thing over and over...I personally dont think you should have to keep defending yourself...you ultimately didnt realize that your decision to teach her wasnt the absolute best and having recieved the input from us all do now...I just dont want you to have to go threw any more of the same opinion over and over when you truly do have your sisters best interests at heart.

He gets it people...nuff said 🙂

 

[Edmund Blackadder]

He gets it people...nuff said 🙂

Which is all well and good but if people don't read all the replies they'll miss yours too and carry on🙂

I agree the thread should be closed because as Vicariously has stated, people will keep giving the same advice.

 

[Kean]

Consider the thread closed 🙂