Many parents are trying to find the best martial arts for their 4-year-old child or even find out if they should be starting martial arts at all. So, with a variety of different opinions out there, how can you know you’re making the right choice?

The answer to this question will depend on what do you, as a parent, expect to get out of martial arts for your child. But it will also depend on what is best for a 4-year-old to advance his/her development.

First, let’s try to understand a little bit more about your 4-year-old child.

Naturally, their attention span and focus are short. Especially when it is a distraction that is extremely fun like TV, for example. A lot of them still can’t put a bigger group of words together to express themselves. They are in the early stages of learning body control and coordination. But, they are also like “sponges” and they are always asking “why”, therefore, they are ready to absorb a lot of things if well conveyed to them.

Here are some more development milestones kids of this age can exhibit, according to Kandace Herring, an educational director at Varsity Tutors.

Fine Motor Skills

  • Grasping a pencil/scissors
  • Zipping a coat
  • Writing their name

Gross Motor Skills

  • Running
  • Hoping
  • Jumping
  • Skipping
  • Kicking a ball

Social Skills

  • Introducing themselves
  • Asking questions
  • Taking turns in line when they have to
  • Sharing toys
  • Following basic directions
  • Exhibiting self-control

Language Skills

  • Expressing their feelings with their own words
  • Using four-to-five-word sentences
  • Understanding responses to questions
  • Responding to questions

 

So, how can Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu play an important role in your child’s development?

Unlike other martial arts such as Karate, Taekwondo, Kung Fu, and other styles that predominantly teach punching and kicking, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will teach your child how to physically touch another child without the intention of hurting them.

But that is only the “tip of the iceberg”.

The Guillobel Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in San Clemente, for example, will teach a 4-year-old much more than that. It will teach them how to improve their gross and fine motor skills, social and language skills, and it will plant the seeds of personal development.

At Guillobel Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu School, the 3-5-year-old program is designed specifically to cater to this age group and to their needs. Kids will learn how to focus, be respectful, control their body, improve their discipline, speak in front of the group, and much more.

It’s unbelievable to think that some parents tell others not to register their kids into a professional, kid-friendly, martial art such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

But beware, not all Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools understand how to teach a 3-4-5-year-old. In this case, stay away from these schools because they’ll ruin the experience for your child.

martial arts for 4 year old child

 

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