5 Reasons Martial Arts is Great for Kids with ADHD

Nov 03, 2015

According to Healthline.com “6.4 million American children between the ages of 4-17 have been diagnosed with ADHD.” Our state of Indiana ranks fourth for highest rates of ADHD.

Boys are affected in higher numbers than girls and their symptoms tend to be the most pronounced. In boys you might noticed symptoms like a lack of focus, hyperactivity or impulsivity.

In girls, however, it will be a little more difficult to discern their symptoms. According to Healthline.com their symptoms will be a little more internal than boys. Some of their symptoms may include low-self esteem and anxiety, frequent daydreaming, being withdrawn or verbal aggressions.

Here are 5 reasons why martial arts is a great program for your kid struggling with ADHD.

  1. Tunes up focus

    Martial arts is a great activity to help kids develop focus. In martial arts like Taekwondo or Karate, kids must pay close attention to what the instructor is showing them. They will learn a series of movements called forms or katas. They will be a series of moves ranging from 20 to sometimes even 60. Once they learn those set of movements they will be one step closer to getting their next belt.

  2. Gives an energy outlet

    In some kids with ADHD, hyperactivity is a major symptom. What better way to have your kids express that energy and excitement than by allowing them to kick and punch at targets, break boards, and do flying side kicks through the air. All of this done at the martial arts school, of course. Instructors work very diligently to make sure that kids know that the martial arts school is the safest place to practice is there.

  3. Repetition allows for kid to focus

    The only way to get better at something is to practice. Martial arts instructors are great about teaching kids intricate moves by repetition. One thing that you may not know, is that martial arts instructors are also wonderful at hiding that repetition. Your kid might practice a side kick on a bag, with a partner, on a kicking shield, in their form and also by breaking boards. This repetition helps your child learn to focus on that specific technique to make sure they have it down.

  4. Allows kids to gain confidence

    There is nothing greater for a martial arts instructor than to be helping a kid a technique. When they finally get that technique their face lights up with excitement. A big grin appears on their face and then they immediately look for their parent in the seating area. They are proud of themselves for the awesomeness they just accomplished. And they should be. Martial arts helps kids build confidence in ways that other sports and activities can’t. Martial arts allows for your child to make short and long term goals. Some kids may set a short term goal of breaking a board. But at the same time they may have a long term goal of getting their black belt. With each completion of a short term goal, their confidence grows a little more.

  5. A place for a kid to be more socially active

    Martial arts is a great place for your child to learn new friends. At our school specifically we have kids from several different communities attending. Kids get the opportunities to meet kids who aren’t in their school system at all. They get to interact with one another, partner up with each other, and even do extra events like competitions or clinics. When they partner up another child they have the opportunity meet someone new. And the instructor encourage teamwork in getting a task done.

Martial arts is not only great for kids with ADHD, but also everyone in general. If you have a kid who struggles with ADHD, what are some of the things that you have tried to help them grow?