Right in time for the chilly winter season, we are happy to announce our new 2024 hoodies have gone on pre-order for the entire month of October! These limited edition hoodies are the perfect gift for family and friends alike, coming in child and adult sizes. Pre-order ends on November First! Don’t wait! Click Here […]
Did you know that over 30% of children and adolescents in the US are overweight or obese? Fewer than a quarter of children get the recommended amount of physical activity a day: 60 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise. A child who is regularly physically active will be more likely to carry that habits into adulthood. On the flip […]
Looking for a fun and rewarding activity that can strengthen family bonds? Look no further than martial arts training! Beyond the punches and kicks, martial arts offer a unique opportunity for families to come together and grow closer. Whether you’re a parent looking to bond with your children or a sibling looking to connect with […]
Schedules and Routines are important in a child’s life in order for them to learn consistency and become more independent as they get older. Routines allow them to learn new things with the opportunity to improve and do it better as they get bigger. Familiar activities can also provide comfort for both adults and children […]
Martial arts could be an antidote to bullying in schools, with a new study showing it improves students’ resilience and self-confidence. Research conducted by Macquarie University has found children who participate in self-defense programs are better equipped to deal with aggressive behavior, prompting calls for the sport to be introduced into schools. Children who participated […]
Coped up inside and glued to the screens, its no surprise that children are less active in the summer. A recent study among children 6 to 9 years of age showed that physical activity dropped by 53% during the summer months. Moreover, time spent in sedentary activities (e.g., screen time) increases. According to the national […]
On any other day of the year, would you hand your child matches or a flaming candle to play with? Probably, a hard no. You work so hard all year long to keep your child safe…. Don’t let the 4th of July mess with your common sense. Lighting fireworks in the backyard or nearby field might […]
A parent’s first instinct about activities that include kicking, punching, breaking things and yelling is probably that they aren’t really the best things for their child. Martial arts is different systems and practices, many of which originated in Asia, including boxing, karate, taekwondo, muay thai and capoeira. And while kicking, punching, breaking things and yelling […]
The kids are out of school, the sun is shining, and the pool is sparkling. Summer is a great time for family, fun, and physical activity. Unfortunately, it can also be a high time for injuries. Before you head out for some fun in the sun, here are four tips to keep your kids safe: […]
In today’s world there are few things young people need more than hope. Hope for their futures, Expectations of finding happiness and success isn’t as common today as it was in the past. The most important factor in developing self esteem and self confidence is parental guidance and support. That doesn’t mean give them whatever […]
One of my friends asked “Why do you pay so much money for your kids to do Tae Kwon do?” Well I have a confession to make, I don’t pay for my kids Tae Kwon do. Personally, I couldn’t care less about Taekwondo. So if I am not paying for Taekwondo what am I paying […]
When working toward a goal its important to realize what got us to that point. Whether it was the hard work of our family, our friends or even ourselves it’s wise to sit and reflect on how those opportunities came to be presented to us. In this story you will see the reflection of a […]
Electronics. You know, iPhones, Tablets, Video Games, and more. It’s not uncommon to find parents who are really against the whole “iPhone” generation thing. We see it everywhere – iPads, tablets, computers, phones – everywhere we go there’s another kid with their face buried in a screen. But, is it a problem? I don’t know. […]
Every kid needs exercise and time to play, but kids who learn and think differently can have a hard time finding sports that fit. them well. Unlike most sports, Martial Arts is focused around an individual’s personal growth, rather than comparison to others. This makes Martial Arts a great outlet for children in general. Particularly […]
Bullying is all too real. Did you know that 25% of public schools report that bullying among kids happens on a daily or weekly basis? And that 1 in 5 high school students report being bullied in the past year? The good news is that because bullying has made national headlines, schools and communities (and […]
1. Aerobic Activity Aerobic activity should make up most of your child’s 60 or more minutes of physical activity each day. This can include either moderate-intensity aerobic activity, such as brisk walking, or vigorous-intensity activity, such as running. Be sure to include vigorous-intensity aerobic activity on at least 3 days per week. 2. Muscle Strengthening […]
Attention deficit disorder is a very common occurrence among children. For those who are hyperactive it’s always best to get involved with sports, as they offer many benefits including physical exercise, development of social skills and development of self worth. However not all sports are equal. To give you a glimpse at how many […]
It drove my mother crazy when I went barefoot as a kid. Still does – because I’m in socked feet in the fall and winter and barefoot the rest of the time! I can’t stand the confinement of shoes and I’ve long been an advocate for children to go without them. As I wrote […]
The Positive Effects of Martial Arts for a Child in School Grade school can be quite the experience for any child. It is a place where a child not only learns academically but one where a child must learn to socialize and function in the world. Unfortunately, there are a lot of negative experiences that […]
The Positive Effects of Martial Arts for a Child in School Grade school can be quite the experience for any child. It is a place where a child not only learns academically but one where a child must learn to socialize and function in the world. Unfortunately, there are a lot of negative experiences that […]
Martial Arts: The Effective After School Program A parent’s work schedule never really syncs up perfectly with his/her child’s school schedule. As school lets out for the day, parents are usually wondering what options are in place for them to place their children in until they are out of work. Plus, they want to be […]
Benefits of Martial Arts for All Ages Martial Arts has many social, physical and psychological benefits for all ages. This discipline requires perseverance, teaches core values and provides great advantages in return. Contrary to popular belief, this sport is not violent nor does it encourage aggression. It doesn’t even require great strength to practice. Like […]
Stranger Danger “Don’t talk to strangers” used to be the cure all to protect your child, but there are two sides to this. If you child wants to make friends or is lost…they need to talk to a stranger. Instead of creating an encompassing rule of “Don’t talk to strangers”. Teach your children to learn who is […]
What is the best age to start Martial Arts? With all the benefits of Martial Arts, parents often wonder…What’s the best age to enroll their children into classes? Believe it or not, young exposure is never a bad idea. Four- and five-year old’s benefit greatly from martial arts classes. They are not doing any too […]
Stranger Danger “Don’t talk to strangers” used to be the cure all to protect your child, but there are two sides to this. If you child wants to make friends or is lost…they need to talk to a stranger. Instead of creating an encompassing rule of “Don’t talk to strangers”. Teach your children to learn who is […]
My 4 year old loves to make up “exercises” and goes full on trainer mode when she wants my husband and I to follow along (and then corrects us when we “do it wrong,” of course). While her wobbly backwards walk or the one-leg pirate dance may not produce the same results as P90X or […]
How Martial Arts Conquers Bullying With Confidence Anti-bully campaigns are becoming more and more prominent with every passing year, as parents become more attuned to the difficulties children face when they head off to school or out to play. While many parents think that there’s little a child can do to avoid being bullied if […]
Are your kids getting cabin fever with everything going on? Looking for some safe springtime fun for your family? You and your kids can celebrate spring, no matter what the weather is or other things that are going on. March 19th is the first day of spring this year and we all look forward to […]
It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by everything you’re hearing about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) right now. It’s also understandable if your children are feeling anxious, too. Children might find it difficult to understand what they are seeing online or on TV – or hearing from other people – so they can be particularly vulnerable to […]
The month of March is National Reading Month. This month is designated to motivate Americans of all ages to read every day. Reading regularly has been linked to development of positive mental health throughout our lives. It is never too early to help children develop reading skills. In fact, the National Early Literacy Panel produced […]
Does focus escape you? Do you have a difficult time sitting down and concentrating on one task, before the thought of the next creeps in? Are you constantly multi-tasking? Is it a struggle to complete a task? If you can answer yes to any, or all, of these questions, practicing martial arts can help, as […]
Parents who make fitness an integral part of their daily lives tend to be happier, healthier and do better in school. Make your kids sweat with a few of the following activities! 1. Aerobic Activity Aerobic activity should make up most of your child’s 60 or more minutes of physical activity each day. This can […]
Kids are known for being moody, and behaving as their mind commands. But this could be preventable (to a certain extent). Parents intuitively know that food can impact their child’s behavior and mood. We know that sweets, for example, can cause bouts of hyperactivity. But mood-altering food isn’t limited to sugar – there are other […]
February is American Heart Month. Hospitals and health systems around the country celebrate American Hearth Month by helping to raise awareness in their communities about heart disease. Staff wear red and volunteers knit or crochet pint-sized red hats for newborns. They hold free screenings and heart health awareness events. It’s a great time for the […]
Avoid a full power kick: Most Taekwondo kicks are known for their effectiveness and most of them require bending and extending the knee or a twisting motion. The kicks should be performed carefully, and amount of power delivered should be based according to the purposes of your training; if you seek to improve or correct […]
How do you beat performance anxiety when competing at athletic events, or in life? I don’t have perfect answers, I do know in the martial arts world, nothing compares to performing in front of judges. Anxiety, alert. DING. DING. DING. Yes, they are judging YOU. Being judged by your peers remains part of our judicial […]
Martial arts offers brain-boosting benefits for all ages, research finds As well as increasing physical fitness and mental health, martial arts can boost brain cognition as well. We are all aware that exercise generally has many benefits, such as improving physical fitness and strength. What do we know about the effects of specific types of […]
15 Minutes Of Walking On A Daily Basis Can Change Your Body Drastically People are aware of the numerous benefits of regular exercise, and its amazing effects on our emotional, physical and mental health, but very often, they simply lack time to hit the gym and do the workout. Yet, you no longer have excuses, […]
Halloween is Thursday! Keep your child safe with some of our top 10 tips.. 1. Plan a route in advance Trick or treating could take you several streets away from your house, which can cause sore feet and tired legs. Avoid long treks by mapping out a route before leaving the house. Stick to […]
Good behavior is a learning process for children, and we are their roadmap. Children usually behave per their own emotions and impulses. At the same time, being a parent is also a learning process and sometimes we rely on our own emotions and impulses to teach. Usually, that means we divert directly to punishments when […]
Bullying has become an epidemic in recent years. Yes, there have always been bullies, and yes, those bullies have always caused serious and lasting damage to their victims; however, bullying in the 21st century has changed – and not for the better. According to Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center, one in four students has reported […]
Saying “No” to friends can be hard. Here’s how to make it easier. As kids get older, peer pressure can get in the way of how well they do in school. Why? By the time they turn seven, children start caring more and more about what other kids think of them — and less […]
Martial arts offers brain-boosting benefits for all ages, research finds As well as increasing physical fitness and mental health, martial arts can boost brain cognition too We are all aware that exercise generally has many benefits, such as improving physical fitness and strength. But what do we know about the effects of specific types of […]
8 ways you may be encouraging your child to be a bully By Ashley Trexler March Your actions speak so loudly I can’t hear a word you are saying Admit it. You’ve watched and wondered: Is my kid a bully? Not all the time. Not most of the time. But some of the time. The […]
5 Benefits Of Martial Arts for Kids…Especially Girls! I enjoy sports and martial arts enthusiast. My 7-year-old son has been training in martial arts for 3 years. The benefits of martial arts for kids includes great characteristics and life lessons and I recommend the various practices to anyone I chat with. During this time, I’ve […]
Becoming More Attuned to Your Child Guest post by Skillz creator and childhood development expert Melody Shuman. Do you ever feel like you can read your child’s mind? You know what they are going to do or say next because they have had the same reaction before? This is attunement. Improving your attunement skills will […]
Your Child + Internet = Danger Internet Safety in the modern era is a pretty serious topic. Here at Martial Arts of West End, we interact with a lot of kids, so we’re kind of “in-tune” with where they’re going and what they’re doing online, and we’ve got news for you, parents. Have you […]