Kids Martial Arts and taking things for granted

Taking things for granted

There are many different aspects of taking something for granted-we take our health for granted many times or we take for granted that certain people will always be in our lives. It’s often a shock when such a change comes about-losing our health in some form, like a broken leg or a torn ligament; or losing a loved one to any circumstance whether it’s divorce or death.

I was late to playing the game of lacrosse and I picked up my stick in my last year of high school. I would practice a lot because I knew that skill wise I had to catch up to the other kids on the team. I didn’t have the advantage of having played since I was a child like others. I believed I could develop my skill and that I had the tools but I did not take for granted that it would come easy.

Kids martial arts class, a small group collaborates

Kids martial arts and what we think is always around…

I am very aware of that sensibility now that I have children and have been very conscious of that fact in searching for things that they will enjoy and reap benefits from in later years. It’s not a question of only wanting them to be accomplished but giving them tools to learn and grow with whether it’s in team sports, piano lessons, or kids martial arts classes. The important thing is building up momentum and getting them on the right track to grow and evolve.

There are so many things that we take for granted in our lives and one reason I chose to get my child involved in something like kids martial arts is because I was not able to take advantage of that as a child myself. It warms my heart that she is doing well and enjoying her kids martial arts classes. I see how beneficial this type of class is for her in learning respect and humility but also building self confidence.

Kids martial arts: learning, adapting, and assimilating

Kids martial arts class, getting pointers in individual drills from Coach Amanda

I notice how she behaves in her kids martial arts class, how the coaches give the kids duties in class, and encourage good behavior outside of class. I also notice that within in each class there are trials and tribulations that the kids go through-the learning process and the problem solving is apparent. Each child seems to have their own way of problem solving and the groups as a whole collaborate well. No child has time to take their skill for granted because there is always a new challenge on the horizon. The challenge can be part of the homework assignments the children get to learn life skills, a more experienced practitioner, a smaller partner, or a partner much larger.

When you are too busy learning, adapting, and assimilating new info it’s often too difficult to take things for granted. I like that the coaches help all the children and adjust to the children to provide a good learning experience for each child-and there are different ages, types, and skill levels in the class. The coaches use that diversity to their advantage and in the end it makes them better coaches.

We are very fortunate to have this type of learning…it’s nothing this parent will take for granted.

Kids martial arts class, action shot