Does your child want to start Jiu-Jitsu, but you’re not sure? As a parent, you are taught to teach your children not to fight, but Jiu-Jitsu is so much more than that and a means of self-defence. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a sport and an art and is about respect and protection. Kids will learn several sets of life skills that will help them to develop and grow.

Healthy Habits

As a parent or guardian you know just how much stress plays into our daily lives. Gracie Barra Greystone, says that Jiu-Jitsu gives kids “the tools they need to enjoy lifelong success”. Kids experience stress, too, and can often feel overworked because of the high demand for them to perform at school. Children experience depression and anxiety just like adults do. Learning Jiu-Jitsu can help reduce stress and anxiety by promoting exercise and other healthy habits through discipline.

Humility

One of the most important things you learn when learning any martial art is how to be humble. You must be humble whether you win, or lose. Together with other students, your child will learn how to work as a team player and to support others.

Confidence

Jiu-Jitsu requires focus and discipline. For those who practice consistently, confidence comes naturally. The drive to master techniques and think through strategy leads to increased self-esteem and awareness of your child’s capabilities to achieve what they set out to achieve.

Practice and repetition help to develop mental clarity in stressful situations. This in turn leads to increased levels of confidence.

Respect for Others

An out-of-school activity forces kids to interact with children they might not have interacted with before. When children only interact with kids from similar backgrounds they develop biases and stereotypes. This leads to disrespect and unpleasant confrontations.

Friendship

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu teaches children to approach the unknown with confidence. In competitions or sparring situations children learn to introduce themselves and speak to others they might not have in the past. This teaches them to make friends.

Commitment

Certain martial art classes are too strenuous on the body to perform on a daily basis. With Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu there is minimal risk of injury, so you can practice regularly. 

People have been known to practice into their 90s. It teaches long-term commitment and dedication to a task.

Goal Setting

Mastering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is full of stepping stones. Your child will learn that you need to master certain fundamental things before you can move forward with a task. It’s an excellent way to teach goal setting and to illustrate the need for practice and perseverance.

Focus

Something a lot of kids struggle with is “focus”. Children learn the importance of focus as well as how to focus during classes. They learn that when they focus it is easier to execute the task at hand and move forward successfully.

Dealing With Failure

One of the most important things your child will learn is how to deal with failure. Failure during training does not spell the end of the world. Failure will be shown as a means to grow and motivate your child to improve their skills. A healthy relationship and familiarity with failure is important for their growth as this teaches them to problem solve and better themselves in a safe and encouraging environment.

Concluding Thoughts

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for kids is exceptionally beneficial. It teaches children confidence, focus, and self-esteem.