Karate Kids: Children and Martial Arts
may need to research the varying styles and decide which is best suited for their child’s interests, level of development and motivation. “My expertise is in Shotokan karate,” says Roberson. “I currently help train the 4- to 6-year-old beginning students and have discovered that this particular style of karate is very well suited to the very young. Developmentally these kids have not learned the ne-motor skills that come with age. Shotokan, with its wide sweeping blocks and kicks, provides nicely for these age-appropriate deficits. The very young can quickly and easily master the basic moves of this sport, which in turn increases their motivation to continue.”
“Our son is 8 years old. He started karate at age 7and now has his green belt,” says Anne Trudelle, an occupational nurse from Port Perry, Ontario, Canada. “The reason we put our son in karate
