Every parent struggles with getting their child to follow directions and learn how to listen to their directions. What are some key concepts that we’ve learned at our martial arts school, that can help them listen to you and help you along the way to teach them focus and direction in their life. At Ageless Martial Arts Las Vegas our key is to help kids grow and develop mindsets that will ultimately create better people through the martial arts.
STEP 1 : GOALS AND ASPIRATIONS
One of the key factors is telling children that we need to set goals and aspirations is that they must understand that there is a consequence when they do not try hard. In martial arts we use this by teaching them that if they cannot try hard they will not get the skill needed to move forward and progress. It is important to show the child that their are always going to challenges in everything they do, always. But if they value that cause, that goal, they will have to work hard to attain that knowledge, skill, or at times earn that item they want. Giving them goals and working for it is such important role to show as a parent that it will help them and teach them to work hard for the things they want.
I realize too, not everyone does martial arts, and we can use these examples in all aspects of life, football, basketball, violin, etc. But the goal is to always teach your child to work hard for something or anything so they develop good habits that will give them strong goal setting foundations in life.
STEP 2: LEAD BY EXAMPLE
I get, no one is perfect, we all make mistakes and this one can be hard to look at but I truly believe this is a true statement. Kids follow us, watch us as they learn. I can’t tell you how many times kids will copy adults and see how it can affect how they act around our world. Leading by example is super important. We know this as a martial arts school, because kids watch us all the time, and they follow our example even in the way we act, what Karate moves we do, and what systems we create. Imitating leaders is a common thing that we do even as adults. We need to show our children that we have a standard in the way who we are as people so they can be better than us in the future.
STEP 3: HAVE RULES AND DISCIPLINE
You are the parent, not the friend, not the buddy next door. You have to teach them to learn how to do daily task to teach them discipline and responsibility. Always know sometimes its ok not to always get what you want, its ok to fail and more importantly trying your best everyday will help this way of teaching them discipline. Having rules in the house teaches them structure and it teaches them they must do daily task to live a good life style that will help succeed. In martial arts, doing the same things repeatedly help you attain much greater skills of self defense work. Teaching them rules and smalls steps in doing things the right way, will help them attain rewards that pay off in the end. By following rules, it teaches them to never give up and create a life worth living through structure.
STEP 4: LOVE AND COMPASSION
Be there, for your child. Support them in everything they do, its hard to do things alone, and show them that you care. Create a team that they know you love them, and they are part of your everyday reason why you exist to help them grow into the person they deserve to be. You want them to listen to you? Show them love, whatever version of love you feel they must have, all kids are different sure, but from a martial arts stand point we show care and respect to show we want them to be better. We want them to attain that skills and its valuable to them, that we care about their well being and that will go a long way in the relationship of them listening to you.
STEP 5: TEACH THEM TO LISTEN.
Teach them to listen to the right people, that listening is such an important skill. Not only to listen, but to apply it to everyday life especially if it can help them! Listening to specific direction can teach them not only can replicate it, but understanding the knowledge thats handed to them. I find that in general sometimes kids tend to be stubborn, especially when a child feels they don’t want to listen because they feel like they know, or lack of appreciation in certain aspects of their life. Sometimes, having a role model. a teacher, or a positive outside person can help them to realize that parents that care about their child, they should be willing to listen and take the time to learn from them.
Of course these are general statements, and this is just my experience as a Sensei and Martial arts instructor over the years. These are key factors in how I get our kids to follow directions and be successful in our martial arts school in Las Vegas. Hope that helps.
-Sensei Lorenzo
For more information about our school or about martial arts, check out
www.agelesskarate.com or call 702-374-3323
8525 S. Eastern Ave.
Las Vegas, NV
89123