Why We Need To Rethink How We Teach Self Defence To Children
In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the way we teach self defence to children. Many people are questioning whether we are still teaching children a syllabus that is designed for adults, rather than a specialized curriculum to their unique physical capabilities, maturity level, and decision-making capacity. This raises important questions about how we can best educate children on self defence and ensure that they have the skills and knowledge to stay safe in potentially dangerous situations. In this blog, we will explore the unique challenges of teaching self defence to children and discuss the need for a specialized curriculum that takes into account their unique needs and abilities.
In recent times, there has been a growing concern about the way we teach self defence to children. Many people are wondering if we are still teaching a grown-up syllabus to children as to how to defend themselves. The answer to this question is complex, but there are some issues that need to be addressed.
Firstly, it is important to understand that children have different physical capabilities than adults. They are smaller, weaker, and less coordinated than adults, which means that they may not be able to execute some of the complex self defence techniques that adults can.
A CHILD MAY NOT BE ABLE TO EXECUTE A COMPLEX TECHNIQUE LIKE A JOINT LOCK OR A CHOKEHOLD THAT REQUIRES A LOT OF STRENGTH AND COORDINATION. INSTEAD, THEY MAY BE BETTER OFF LEARNING SIMPLE STRIKES LIKE HAMMER STRIKE OR KICKS TO VULNERABLE AREAS.
Secondly, children have a different level of maturity and decision-making capacity than adults. They may not be able to assess a situation as accurately as an adult would, and they may not be able to make the same kind of decisions in a high-pressure situation.
Given these differences, it is important to have a special self defence syllabus to the needs and capabilities of children. This means that we need a specialized curriculum that takes into account their physical abilities, maturity level, and decision-making capacity.
IN A HIGH-PRESSURE SITUATION, A CHILD MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ASSESS THE SITUATION AS ACCURATELY AS AN ADULT. IT IS IMPORTANT TO TEACH CHILDREN HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE WARNING SIGNS OF A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND HOW TO SEEK HELP IF NECESSARY.
Traditional self defence curriculums may not account for the unique needs and abilities of children, potentially putting them at risk.
Children need to learn basic self defence techniques that are simple, effective, and easy to remember. They need to be taught how to use their bodies’ natural weapons and strengths to defend themselves, such as kicks and strikes to vulnerable areas. They also need to learn how to recognize and avoid potentially dangerous situations and how to defuse conflicts through verbal communication.
It’s important to prioritize age-appropriate self defence techniques and strategies that children can realistically use to protect themselves.
It is important to provide children with a safe and supportive learning environment where they can practice and develop their skills. This means that the curriculum needs to be age-appropriate and delivered by experienced instructors who are trained in teaching children.
It is essential to acknowledge that teaching self defence to children requires a different approach than teaching it to adults. By recognizing the unique needs and capabilities of children, CTS Self Defence has developed a specialized curriculum that empowers them with the skills and knowledge they need to stay safe and protect themselves.
By providing realistic self defence education to children, we can help them become empowered to stay safe and build confidence in their ability to protect themselves.
We encourage you to share this post on social media and start a conversation about the importance of teaching self defence to children in a way that is tailored to their unique needs and capabilities. If you have any feedback or questions, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading!
Very well said sir. It is true that martial arts training does not have content as per the students age or gender .
Thanks, Arjun! Your insight echoes the core of my blog post. Your input adds more weight to the importance of rethinking self defence education for children. Appreciate your perspective!