Prepare Your Children for Any Situation
Martial Arts will help your kids build the self-discipline, confidence and focus they need to succeed both in class, and in life — all while having a ton of fun!
Do your children…
choose not to listen to you or their teachers?
have a hard time paying attention in school or at home?
spend too much time watching television or playing video games?
get bullied at school?
get shy around others, even around friends?
exhibit low self-confidence and self-worth?
If so, PMA’s kids programs can help them!
What Can Our Martial Arts Programs Do For Your Children?
Both of our kids programs give your children the chance to develop physical skills like flexibility, core stability, coordination, and focus. On top of that, they’ll increase their mindfulness, improve their discipline and grades in school, nurture a respectful attitude, and improve their self-image and confidence. As a bonus, our programs also get your kids to unplug from their electronic devices — integral for the proper development with this generation of children and young adults.
Kids Karate
Our kids karate students push their physical and mental skills to the next level. They’ll learn various self defense skills like striking, blocking and how to assert themselves using confident communication to help stop physical altercations before they even start. Kids will experience personal success and the benefits of hard work by earning new belts as they progress in their journey.
Kids Jiu-Jitsu
Our kids Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program teaches kids how to use techniques to fight from the ground. Jiu-jitsu techniques are very well known for their ability to work against opponents that are bigger and stronger, and also offer the option to restrain an attacker rather than striking them — making it an extremely practical form of self-defense and de-escalation.
Core Benefits of Martial Arts for Children
Appreciation for physical activity and healthy lifestyle
Our modern world, particularly in 2020, has seen a dramatic shift in the demand for physical activity — particularly from kids who are spending most of their time at home, surrounded by countless gadgets and screens.
Lack of exercise can take the familiar physical tolls of lethargy and obesity and, without an outlet for the energy kids have, that energy can redirect itself inward in the form of mental fog and anxiety.
Martial Arts are a fun way for children to channel all that youthful energy while recognizing that physical activity simply makes them feel better — not to mention this means a calmer, more well-behaved child for you.
Life Skills That Transcend Class
Because learning is accelerated in the early years, it’s the prefect time to instill the character and values that will make your child a success in the real world.
Skills like listening, concentration, and communication are necessary for children to progress in martial arts, and those same skills will help them thrive both in school and in life — while traits like respect and kindness will ensure they forge the quality relationships that make life worth living.
Stop Bullying,
Even Before It Starts
Bullies target the kids they that perceive as timid, weak or unconfident.
What if that’s not your child?
Martial Arts are a great way to develop strong, self-assured kids that make their way into the world with confidence. And if your child is already the target of a bully, Martial Arts will give them the tools to effectively stand up for themselves.
“We enrolled our three children in the PMA karate program and they absolutely love it. The staff, and in particular Sensei Chris and Sensei Lynell, offer the perfect combination of instruction, discipline, and fun so that the kids learn karate techniques, life lessons, and how to have fun while exercising. The class content is also a great mix. The kids love working towards and earning their belts and have embraced the opportunity to showcase their newly minted skills in front of the audience at each
graduation event.”
— The Ricks Family, Merrimack NH
Our Kids Program Instructors
Chris Shelton
Owner and Operator of PMA Merrimack, Chris has been teaching martial arts for over 17 years, and is a 4th black belt in Karate and Purple belt in BJJ. He’s quite tall. When he’s not instructing, Chris enjoys woodworking and plays a mean bass (the instrument, not the fish).
FAQs
My child is… a handful. Can martial arts help?
Absolutely. Self-control is a core tenet of our kids programs. Students learn the importance, but also the benefits of being in control of themselves and their emotions.
Is it safe to train with Covid-19 going around?
We’ve always taken cleanliness very seriously. We clean our mats and equipment after every class and advocate using personal safety equipment like rashguards, mouthguards, cups etc. That being said, we’re also doing the following to combat Covid-19:
Keeping class sizes small
Prohibiting symptomatic students from attending class
sanitizing all surface areas and equipment after every use
using remote viewing so parent can watch classes without having to be physically present
spacing each class by 30 min so students can minimize exposure from other class participants
How will martial-arts help my child become more confident?
The structure of our classes teaches kids how to overcome adversity and achieve goals — both in everyday classes by working through techniques, and over the long term by progressing through the belt-system. By setting goals and working to achieve them, they demonstrate to themselves that they are capable of great things.
How are you able to instill self-discipline?
Martial Arts, like most things worthwhile, require self-discipline in order to succeed. Children must work to learn and memorize techniques, respect their teachers and other students, and control their behavior both in and out of school.
Ready to Start?
We’re excited for you to join us at PMA Merrimack!
Please fill out the form below and we’ll follow up to schedule your free class! See you soon!