Kids’ calendars get full fast. School, friends, clubs, sports – good parenting relies on good scheduling. This year, when you’re choosing their extracurriculars, why not try something new?
Hockey, soccer, baseball, they’re all good choices, but picking an afterschool activity isn’t just about getting your kid moving or letting them hang out with their friends. A good extracurricular should be:
- Fun
- Safe
- Physically and mentally challenging
- Social
- Focused on building valuable life skills
Martial arts ticks all those boxes and more. Just ask our coaches. We see it all the time – kids walk into the gym, start training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and leave transformed. Even the most shy students become mini samurais with a confidence you can only find on the mat. They discover they can handle anything, their parents see them grow and flourish – BJJ is the extracurricular that keeps on giving right into adulthood.
Why Your Kids will Love BJJ
We’re just going to say it – training martial arts is cool. And training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is even cooler. You won’t have to drag your kids to this extracurricular, they’ll be begging to come to class! Your kids will love the fact that they’re doing something different from the norm and it’ll introduce them to a new sport with a unique history and philosophy.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu offers more than just physical activity. It’s a chance to learn about other cultures, join a tradition that stretches back to Samurai-era Japan, and develop skills such as mindfulness and discipline.
It’s also a great way to make friends. Martial arts fighters are a tight-knit group. We support and celebrate each other, championing our wins, commiserating our losses. The friends you make in the gym are friends for life.
In our BJJ youth classes we regularly switch up training partners so students aren’t always drilling with the same buddy. We encourage the kids to mentor each other, giving them plenty of opportunities to help those who are at a different level. In this way, they learn key leadership skills while forging new friendships. And they love it! Most welcome the chance to be ‘coach for a day’, rising to the challenge of taking on new responsibilities.
We pride ourselves in offering kids an inclusive space where they can mingle with other kids from all different backgrounds, ages, and abilities. Our classes are open to all and no kid gets left behind.
Why Parents Love BJJ
It’s not just the kids that enjoy taking BJJ, their parents are pretty happy with the results too. The mental benefits of martial arts are apparent after just a few sessions so parents often notice their kids behaving better, getting better grades, and becoming more resilient to challenges.
Research shows that martial arts are a great way to train the mind as well as the body, giving kids a way to handle negative emotions and teaching them self-control. There’s also evidence that it helps kids focus, so if your child has trouble concentrating in class, taking martial arts can help improve their academic performance.
Your kid won’t get breathing exercises or meditation sessions at hockey practice, but they will on the mat. We make meditation a part of all our youth classes as a way to rest, refocus, and settle during training. Even our youngest students take part, and parents love it! Our kids will often use those skills when they feel overwhelmed at home or stressed at school, taking the time to pause and breathe.
Life can be tough and raising healthy kids means equipping them to face the rollercoaster of adulthood. At IBJJ we teach your kid how to safely take care of themselves, physically and mentally.
Our Kids BJJ Classes
We run two kids classes for kids interested in trying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Our Parent & Child Class is for kids aged 4-7 who are accompanied by their parents so they can train and play together.
Our Youth Class is for kids aged 7-13 and includes games, drills, meditation breaks, and technique demonstrations. If your kid is over 13 we’ll get them to join our adult classes where they’ll receive instruction from our experienced coaches who can pair them up with suitable training partners.
Still not sure if BJJ is a good fit for your kid? No problem! Book a free introductory session so they can meet our coaches and give it a try. We’ll give you a tour of the gym and a quick preview of what to expect from our classes, no strings attached! Contact Coach PK today to schedule your visit.
Looking for a martial arts studio in Innisfil and the surrounding area? Innisfil Brazilian Jiujitsu offers professional Brazilian Jiujitsu training with a range of BJJ classes for all ages and abilities. Contact our coaches today to get started!