With technology becoming more prevalent, more and more children are spending their time indoors using technology than being outside or being active. In fact, only one in three children partake in physical activity every day. The fact that children, on average, now spend seven and a half hours using a screen each day explains why children are becoming decreasingly active. At least while school is in session children have recess or physical education. When summer break starts, however, many children choose to spend their time indoors and on their screens.
One way to get your child physically active is to find a summer camp that he or she would enjoy. By sending your child to a summer camp, especially one that emphasizes physical activity, your child is much less likely to waste their summer starting at a screen. One summer camp that would keep your child active and teach them a help them to develop a skill is one that teaches martial arts classes. It’s never too young to start your child in martial arts; in fact, many children are starting karate at the age of 5 or 6. Like many physical activities, the earlier a child starts the better. There are many types of martial arts, meaning your child can choose the type they believe they’d enjoy. Below are four types of martial arts that your child can learn at a martial arts summer camp.
Taekwondo
Taekwondo is commonly known everywhere, however, few are familiar with the types of martial arts that it focuses on. Taekwondo focuses on agility and speed over size. In other words, in taekwondo, it is believed that despite one’s size, as one’s speed increases, so does one’s power. It also focuses on the importance of relaxation and meditation between strikes. One move that you may be familiar with is the breaking of boards, which, again, focuses on one’s speed.
Karate
Karate is a Chinese martial art but very popular throughout the United States. It focuses mainly on punching and kicking, as well as striking with an open hand. Karate is quite well-rounded, so if your child is new to martial arts, they may want to consider trying Karate.
Hapkido
Hapkido is less well known than Taekwondo and Karate, and is actually a Korean martial art that focuses on self-defense. It involves both long and close range fighting, focusing on re-directing the force used by one’s opponent. Hapkido even involves the use of weapons including knives, swords, nunchakus, canes and ropes.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Jiu-Jitsu may also sound familiar to you. It is a Brazilian martial arts that focuses on combat and self-defense. What makes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu unique is that the fighting takes place on the ground, rather than standing up.
Has your child ever tried martial arts? Would you send your child to a martial arts summer camp? Let us know in the comments!
