How to Teach Your Kids Basic Self-Defense

Children are naturally trusting and curious. They want to be helpful. Those who attack children take advantage of these qualities to trap them. Here's how you can prepare your children to defend themselves.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Martial Arts Encyclopedias
• Self-defense Courses
• Martial Arts Videos

1. Plan ahead. Consider those situations where your children are most vulnerable to attack (for example, at the playground, in a neighbor's yard, biking on the next street).

2. Identify the top one or two self-defense techniques your children might use if they were attacked in the home, at the playground, and so on.

3. Organize a family meeting on self-defense, similar to family rehearsals in case of fire. Ask the children "what would you do if'" scenarios, based on your list of possible situations. Tell them when to call 911 and when to run away.

4. Identify safe havens for the children to run to if approached or attacked. Make sure the children understand that their primary goal is safety and that it's okay to tell on an adult.

5. Enroll your children in a basic self-defense course or martial arts school. Many programs specialize in coaching children how to deal with strangers who pose as family friends or who ask a child to find a lost puppy.

Tips & Warnings

• Learning how to break free from a wrist hold is a very valuable skill.
• Consider inviting a local police representative to your school or youth organization to present self-defense to the children.
• Always supervise children as they practice self-defense.

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[Seaberry2007]

on 4/11/2007 Women are now taught to yell 'fire' instead of help. Teach children to yell 'fire' as well.

on 9/19/2006 If any child knows how to kick, scream and squirm, why bother making them practice? Also, don't assume a bully will grab them. He may just kick and punch your child, which means self-defense instruction is important. Do not assume that a child will have to remember fancy techniques. Sound self-defense instruction helps children internalize principles of fighting so that they do not have to think to fight. Sound self-defense instruction will provide a variety of scenarios for your child. Sometimes the squirm method will work, sometimes it won't.

on 3/27/2006 A lot of people believe that sticking a child in a martial arts school will put them in a better position than a child who isn't when it comes to self-defense. It isn't necessarily true. Children are very adept at squirming, screaming, biting, kicking, and flailing by nature. This is an attribute that you want to exercise. Take your child to a park, stick a motorcycle helmet on your head, and tell your child that you are going to try to grab him and that he is to do anything and everything that he can to get away. As you are doing this, advise your child through the process...to kick more or squirm more.

If you can get your child to be like a salmon out of water (tough to hold on to), they will be in a much better position than trying to remember particular martial techniques.

on 11/22/2005 A Martial Arts class is most helpful in that it teaches children boldness and how to lose their fear. When in a confrontation they won't panic and can take action. They learn to toughen up a little, they learn that taking a hit isn't as terrible as they may imagine. If they are attacked, they won't freeze up, they will fight back.