Did you know that a child is reported abducted or missing every 40 seconds in the United States and that most potential abductors make their first contact with the children they abduct within one quarter of a mile from their homes? With summer approaching and children having more time to play with friends during the day, it is now more important than ever to start (or continue) giving your children the tools they need to protect themselves:
Never leave young children unattended anywhere and have older children practice a buddy system with their peers. Teach your children their full name, your name, your address and telephone number. Teach them how to dial and use 911 or your equivalent emergency number. Teach your children about strangers, to never talk to strangers and to never go near strangers.
Give your children the confidence, strength, skills and mental awareness they need to defend themselves if they ever find that they are in a shady situation with either a stranger or someone they know ? enroll them in a martial arts class. It can make all the difference. Training martial arts can give your children four important skills that will not only help them defend themselves against a possible abduction, but will also help them in other areas of their lives. Read on to find out more:
Martial Arts Increases Confidence. Martial arts can help your children increase their confidence by giving them the skills and practice needed to get in tune with their minds and bodies They will begin to not only understand their actions and options, but themselves as a whole. Martial arts training also gives children the skills and abilities they need to know that they can defend themselves if the need arises and this confidence in their abilities carries over into all aspects of their lives. Confidence in themselves and their lives help them become less likely to fall prey to the convincing persuasions of potential abductors. Confident children appear to be (and are) strong individuals and are less likely to become victims of all forms of violent acts.
Martial Arts Increase Strength. Martial arts training use the entire body during each and every session. This means that when practicing martial arts, your children will be conditioning their entire bodies to become stronger and more physically fit. If they are physically fit, they increase their chances of fighting off or getting away from a potential abductor. Furthermore, regular physical exercise can help decrease the chances of obesity, diabetes and heart disease in your children.
Martial Arts Teach Self-Defense Skills. Rest assured, martial arts training doesn't focus on combat and fighting. It does, however, teach skills that your children can use for self-defense should the need arise. The various skills taught in martial arts can give your children the knowledge they need to handle many situations and the peace of mind you need to know that your children are trained to protect themselves.
Martial Arts Improve Mental Awareness. Training martial arts is not a mindless activity. It requires complete concentration and focus at all time during training. This concentration will also carry over to all parts of your children's lives to help them be more aware of themselves and their surroundings. They will be less likely to just ?zone out? and be caught off guard in a potentially harmful situation.
If you are interested in learning more about how martial arts can help your self confidence, please contact one of my three locations in Bellevue, Lynnwood or Kent, Washington at 800-508-6141or martialadvice@hotmail.com to set up a free 2 week trail orientation.
Also, please see our web pages at www.kungfutemple.com and www.martialarts-instruction.com
Sincerely,
Robert Jones Master Instructor 6th Degree Black Belt Owner, the Academy of Kempo Martial Arts
Let me start by asking what is strong foundation in a child? It is self confidence, a positive attitude which will propel the child to greater achievements in life. Although humans have unlimited potential to attain greater heights, all of us put a limit to our potential by self-assessment - by deciding and fixing our worth in our subconscious mind. We develop our own opinion about ourselves in our childhood. At this stage we set a limit to what or how much we deserve and most of us honor this self-imposed limitation throughout our lives.
During childhood parents look after the child when child is fixing her world-view in her subconscious. The parents have strong influence on this process. Therefore they are in the right position to shape the child's attitude towards her life. How can parents ensure that they are providing proper direction to the child?
First of all, it is important to recognize that the input given to the child does not matter to her as much as the input she receives and registers in her mind. There is a difference between what is given to the child and what she receives.
The parenting skill is the ability to see from the child's perspective. It is recognizing what input is registering with the child. Once this skill is in place the parents can ensure that the child receives, accepts and registers the right emotional input.
There is hardly any doubt that parents love their child. But is the child getting this message? The child should constantly get the message that she is loved unconditionally, not as a reward for something. She needs to be assured that she will be loved and cared for no matter what she does. She needs to feel that she is an important member of the family.
The child then ingrains the belief in her subconscious that she is an important member of the society. She will radiate a feeling of warmth towards others and will create situations where others reciprocate to her with similar feelings. Her acceptance in the society will be natural, beyond any doubt.
Another crucial input the child should get is that the parents will be available when she expects and wants them. The child does not require the company of the parents all the time. But whenever she does, the parents should not only be physically present but should be willing to give her full attention. When Papa has to go to the office, the child should be informed and she will understand that Papa will be unavailable till the evening. In case mother has to go out, she should inform the child. If the child expects to find her mother and cannot see her, she feels insecure. When this happens too often the sense of insecurity becomes prominent which will have negative impact on her life.
There is another reason why parents must give proper response to the child when she approaches them. Parents will certainly want their child to develop the ability to get favorable response from the people. By responding favorably to the child's needs, as perceived by her, the parents create this ability in the child. She develops the skill to behave and create situations whereby others will be inclined to give her a favorable response.
Great achievers take initiative and responsibility for their actions. Parents can help in cultivating these qualities in the child. Disciplining the child is ok, but this should not suppress her initiative and creativity. In fact she should be encouraged and rewarded for showing her creative talents. She should be given as much opportunity as possible to express herself in any way she wants. She should get the message that she can, and she is allowed to make things happen. She is not a meek receiver of what is given to her, but a mover who can get what she wants, a go-getter.
The best way to teach human values to the child by setting personal examples. The child learns a lot by observing her parents. As a parent, you should keep in mind that your child is watching you ALL THE TIME, even when she is physically not present. Just be aware of this fact and watch out for examples you are setting for her. It is very good policy to ALWAYS remain truthful to your children.
I have touched upon some qualities the parents would like their child to have when she goes out into the world and how they can help her in achieving those qualities. The role of the parents does not end with being a provider. They have strong influence on her emotional build-up which decides what type of person she is going to be later in life.
Parenting skill requires that the parents understand the child's perceived needs and her perceived world, and respond suitably to turn her into a person they would like her to be.
Both Robert L. Jones & Sanjay Johari are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Robert L. Jones has sinced written about articles on various topics from Martial Arts, Fitness and Martial Arts. Mr. Robert Jones runs three successful martial arts schools located in Bellevue, Lynnwood, and Kent Washington. He has been helping families make positive changes in their lives through martial arts for over 20 years. He has also written two guides on h. Robert L. Jones's top article generates over 2900 views. to your Favourites.
Sanjay Johari has sinced written about articles on various topics from Guide Guitar, Fitness and Network Marketing. Sanjay Johari regularly contributes articles to several ezines. To see more articles and information on parenting skill, please see his blog: