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Some Martial Arts Instructors Don’t Teach Children,
And Why Others Could Benefit
Martial arts has long been celebrated as a path of discipline, respect, and personal growth. Yet, walk into any martial arts community gathering and ask about teaching children, and you’ll hear a wide range of opinions—from enthusiastic yeses to firm nos with crossed arms and arched eyebrows.
So why do some martial arts instructors shy away from teaching kids? And more importantly… what are they missing out on?
The Hesitation: Why Some Instructors Say “No Thanks” to Kids’ Classes
Let’s be real—teaching kids is a whole different kind of Dojo experience. While adults generally show up for structure, philosophy, and physical improvement, What do young kids show up for? They might show up in Spider-Man pajamas, mid-sugar rush, with no idea why bowing in even matters.
Here are a few common reasons instructors may choose not to teach children:
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Discipline Challenges: Kids, especially younger ones, can be unpredictable, energetic, and easily distracted. Not every instructor feels equipped—or patient enough—to handle that.
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Purist Philosophy: Some instructors believe martial arts should be reserved for those who can fully grasp its deeper meaning. They worry that simplifying things for children waters down the art. Some believe that teaching kids is a "sellout".
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Training Quality Concerns: There’s a fear that kids won’t take training seriously, or that their presence might lower the intensity or quality of the class environment, and While instructors will indeed have kids that don't take the training seriously, let's remember that there are adults who don't as well....jumping around from style to syle or treating the classes as just something to do after work.
My goal each day is to train everyone with the same quality, regardless of if they take it seriously or not. After all, the ones that do take it seriously will benefit, and I hope that ones that don't, gain some type of skill to carry into their other endeavors. -
Lack of Experience or Curriculum: Let’s face it, teaching kids requires a different skillset, a different mode of communication, a different attitude, and often a revamping of the curriculum so that it is broken down for a child's learning curve. Some instructors may not feel prepared for that, saying "I'm not good with kids".
Why Teaching Kids is Actually a Hidden Gem: And it's not just for business
Despite the challenges, many instructors who do teach kids discover something surprising: it’s incredibly rewarding. And not just in a heartwarming way—though there’s plenty of that, too.
Benefits for Instructors:
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Legacy Building: Teaching kids allows instructors to pass down their knowledge and help shape the next generation of martial artists. That’s not just teaching—that’s creating a lineage. I started martial arts as a little girl, wit h the dream of having my own Dojo....and here I am now teaching people of all ages.
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Refined Teaching Skills: Do you want to learn how to teach with clarity and creativity? Try explaining stances to a six-year-old. You’ll become a better communicator across the board. You'll need to break down each movement in a clear and simple way, which deepens your own understanding of what you thought you mastered. Doing something and teaching something are two different skills.
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Business Sustainability: Let’s be real—kids’ classes can be the backbone of a martial arts school’s financial health. Teaching them creates community roots, long-term students and the support and assistance of the kid's parents.
Creativity in curriculum: Instructors need not "gamify" every drill or exercise. Sure, you can make learning Kata fun by adding some fun games, but the trick is to balance the teaching of the "serious" material of your style, fostering children's confidence, and making class enjoyable.....without necessarily watering down the art. It takes practice and planning.
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Personal Fulfillment: Seeing a shy child gain confidence, or an ADHD child channel their energy into focus—that’s the kind of thing that keeps instructors inspired. I know that's what keeps me inspired.
Benefits for Kids:
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Discipline and Focus: Martial arts helps kids develop self-control, focus, and patience—skills that transfer straight to the classroom and beyond.
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Confidence and Self-Esteem: Whether it’s learning a new Kata, breaking their first board or earning a new belt, kids learn to believe in themselves through effort and progress.
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Respect and Responsibility: Bowing, listening to instructions, respecting themselves, their classmates and parents, helping peers—all fundamental parts of martial arts culture that help shape respectful behavior.
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Physical Fitness: Martial arts is a fun way to stay active, improve coordination, and build lifelong habits of movement.
Final Thought
As martial arts instructors, we often say we’re not just teaching punches and kicks—we’re shaping lives. And that starts young.
“A great teacher doesn’t just teach skills—they shape character. When we teach a child, we plant the seeds of strength, respect, and resilience that will grow for a lifetime.”
So to the instructors on the fence—it's okay that you're on the fence, and you own the choice of incuding kids in your style or not. However, it's good to remember that what you teach any student today… might be what changes the world tomorrow.....no matter what their age.
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