‘It is like a finger pointing away to the moon’. Teaching martial arts to children

In recent years, there is a growing use of martial arts as an educational tool in working with youth in general. The present study has illustrated the strong belief teachers have regarding the value of martial arts practice for children. However, one should take into account that the outcome of martial arts practice is dependant on a number of contextual factors. The data of this study have shown that several variations exist within the practice of martial arts. A part from some inherent variations which are linked to specific martial arts types (e.g., competition or not, the use of sparring or routines), there are other influencing factors (e.g., the cultural origin of the specific martial art, the extent to which traditional training aspects are maintained). Often however, only the type of martial art that is practised is taken into consideration (e.g., Gernigon & Le Bars, 2000). But findings in the present study showed, among others, the variation of views and experiences between teachers from the same martial art (e.g., with regard to the appropriateness to teach aikido to children).
Although the practice of martial arts can undoubtedly be described by a number of characteristics in general, it becomes clear that future research should take different factors into account that can have an impact on the outcomes of martial arts teaching (e.g., the teaching approach that is used, the characteristics of the teacher, participants and type of martial arts).

ISBN:978-83-7338-657-0

Publication year:2011

Keywords:martial arts, children