How to Teach Martial Arts to Toddlers

Co-authored by Derrek Hofrichter and Eric McClure

Last Updated: February 18, 2021 References

Martial arts are a great way for toddlers to exercise, develop discipline, and learn to follow instructions. So long as a child can follow basic instructions and knows the difference between left and right, they can begin learning a martial art. When working with toddlers, it is important to emphasize fun activities and take frequent breaks to ensure that young children stay with it. Keep in mind that toddlers do not benefit from hard physical exercises like push-ups, so stick with running and jumping when it comes to training.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Running a Karate Program for Toddlers

1
Begin lessons with stance practices and simple strikes. Start toddlers off by showing them the proper stances for your martial arts. Show them stances and have the students duplicate them. Correct mistakes from individual students as you go, and dedicate 5-10 minutes on stances. Then, show them what basic strikes look like in your school of martial arts. Spend at least 5-10 minutes practicing basic strikes.^{[1]
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- Begin the first few weeks of a toddler program by practicing stances and striking positions. It will take a while for toddlers to commit these movements to memory.
2
Break skills and practice exercises down into 10-minute segments. Regardless of what your instructional program ends up looking like, separate each lesson into 10-minute segments with 2-3 minute breaks or games in between. Toddlers do not have great attention spans and they’re prone to struggling with complex activities that require a lot of instruction, so breaking lessons up makes it a lot easier for them to learn.^{[2]
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- Most martial arts classes are typically 30-60 minutes in length. If you’re going for more than 45 minutes, put a good 5-10 minute break in the middle your lesson.
- Asking questions, doing simple exercise like jumping jacks, and water breaks are all great ways to break your lessons up.
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3
Turn strikes and kicks into games to keep kids engaged. Instead of rote repetition, turn striking practice into a fun competition where you rate each child’s move out of 10. Instead of sparring, have the children play a version of tag where they have to touch certain parts of their opponent’s torso or legs. The more elements of practice that you can turn into a game, the better.^{[3]
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- This is a common tactic in preschool and kindergarten. Young children actually learn faster when they’re playing a game as opposed to practicing as adults normally do.
- When counting off repetitions, have students repeat back the number of every movement. For example, if they’re doing 10 punches, have them count off as the finish repetitions. This way they can work on counting as they work.
4
Work your way up to complex maneuvers, grapples, and takedowns over time. Realistically, it may be several months before students can develop the skills necessary to perform the more complicated moves in your school of martial arts. Use another adult to illustrate what these moves look like and have them practice with you before breaking off to work with a partner.^{[4]
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Limit the amount of theory and history you include in each class. Toddlers aren’t going to care about the 18th-century master that invented some move, and they won’t be able to understand something like the 4-point striking principle. Keep the complex knowledge to a minimum and avoid over-explaining the historical or spiritual components of your school of martial arts.^{[5]
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- This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t explain things or provide context, just keep it simple! For example, instead of saying, “There’s a pressure point under this muscle which is why you’re aiming at the thigh, not the knee,” say, “This is where you’re aiming. Get as close as you can!”
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Keep stretching and tough exercises to a minimum. Toddlers have growing bodies that won’t really benefit from push-ups, pull-ups, or sit-ups. They’re also pretty limber naturally, so stretching is more likely to hurt than help them. Running exercises are fine though, and kids will likely enjoy doing some jogging or jumping jacks!^{[6]
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- Balancing exercises are also a lot of fun for kids. They’ll get a kick out trying to stand on one foot or keep a particular stance up for a long time.
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Put disruptive students on time out and explain what they’re doing wrong. It can be extremely difficult for toddlers to regulate their emotions, and you will have students that will act out regularly. Instead of yelling at these students, simply put them in time out in a corner or on a bench. During breaks in the action, quietly ask the student if they know why they’re on time out. If they don’t, calmly explain the rules to them before letting them return.^{[7]
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Tip: Children in time out will see the other kids playing and having fun, and they’ll naturally want to shape up so that they can return and participate. For toddlers, participation is a better incentive for good behavior than negative reinforcement.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Teaching Your Toddler at Home

1
Get karate gis, hand pads, and some yoga mats to make it feel official. If you’re going to teach your child martial arts at home, go all out with the equipment to get your child enthusiastic. Get you and your child matching gis, purchase a white belt for them to create an incentive, and get some hand pads and yoga mats for practicing strikes and maneuvers. Your child is much more likely to stay engaged and excited if martial arts practice feels like a special event.^{[8]
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- Foam blocks, pool noodles, and other soft objects are a great way for kids to practice their hand-eye coordination without getting hurt.^{[9]
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  Expert Source
  
  Derrek Hofrichter
  Self Defense Specialist
  Expert Interview. 26 January 2021.}
Tip: It’s fine to teach a child yourself if you really just want to have fun and bond with your child. If you really want them to develop practical fighting skills though, this is really only a good idea if you’re proficient in a martial art. If you aren’t adept at what you’re teaching, you won’t be able to correct mistakes or pick productive practice activities to develop actual fighting techniques.
2
Explain the purpose of martial arts and teach them only to hit while practicing. Before your first practice session, tell your child a little bit about the martial art that you’re going to teach them. Explain why it’s important to learn how to use your body but that it’s key that they use what they learn responsibly.^{[10]
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- Many kids will get excited about hitting things, so it’s important that they know they can’t run around striking and tackling people.
3
Start slow and begin with basic strikes or moves. Begin by explaining how to throw a basic strike. Show them what it looks like in the context of your martial art and practice on the hand pads. Be encouraging and take frequent breaks whenever they seem to be losing focus.^{[11]
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- Keep workout routines and stretching to a minimum. Toddlers don’t need much stretching since they’re naturally limber. Tough physical workouts are also not good for their developing bodies.
- Realistically, it’s going to be quite hard for a toddler to learn complex combinations and takedown maneuvers. Work slow and build a good foundation for them to develop over the next 2-3 years.
4
Work your way up to simple maneuvers and show them what they look like. After a few simple sessions, move on to teaching basic kicks, blocks, and grapple moves.^{[12]
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Derrek Hofrichter
Self Defense Specialist
Expert Interview. 26 January 2021.} Then, step up to sparring sessions. Use the hand pads to simulate a simple form of combat and have your child use their learned strikes and kicks to hit the hand pads where you place them. Give visual examples of what complex maneuvers look like when teaching them to avoid confusion.^{[13]
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- Other good activities include stance practice, where your child swaps back and forth between fighting stances, and balance training, where your toddler stands on one leg in a kicking or striking position.
5
Be positive and encourage your child to have fun. While you’re teaching your child martial arts, focus on just having fun. Your child is going to get more out of the experience if they’re excited and engaged, and emphasizing the discrete physical skills won’t do much good since they’re too young to master any complex moves.^{[14]
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- While the frequency and length of your practice sessions depends on your toddler’s ability to focus, don’t exceed 30-45 minutes of practice a session. Take breaks whenever they need them and practice 1-2 times per week.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Finding a Class for Your Child

1
Contact martial arts schools in your area to find a class near you. Look online to find reputable martial arts schools in your area. Look at reviews and contact each school in your area to find out if they have karate classes for 2- to 3-year olds. While many schools won’t, there are plenty of toddler-specific programs out there. Unless you have specific preferences, don’t worry too much about the style of martial arts.^{[15]
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Tip: The style of martial arts won’t matter that much for a 2- to 3-year-old, since they won’t be taught the complex theories or maneuvers anyway. However, judo, aikido, Muay Thai, or jiu-jitsu are preferable if you want the child to develop over time since the foundational movements are quite simple. The school’s style is completely up to you, though.^{[16]
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Visit potential martial arts schools and meet the instructors. When you find a school that hosts classes for toddlers, schedule a meeting with the head instructor. You may be able to simply walk in as well if a class isn’t going on. Introduce yourself and ask the instructor what their toddler program looks like. If the facilities are clean and the students seem happy, it’s likely a good school.^{[17]
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- The goal of meeting the instructor is to get an overall sense for the school and their teachers. It’s important that a school feels comfortable and the staff seems friendly.
3
Make sure that the classes focus on fun, not competition. For toddlers, the goal of martial arts should be to develop social skills, learn to channel their emotions, and have fun while learning the value of fitness and self-respect. It should not emphasize competition and physical combat—as odd as that may sound. If the instruction seems to emphasize positive values and enjoyment, it’s a sign of a good program.^{[18]
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- Your child is more likely to stick with martial arts in the future if they have fun going to the classes. There aren’t any serious competitions for martial arts until children reach 7 or 8 years of age anyway.
4
Sign your child up for a class and sit in on the first lesson. Once you find a school and instructor that you’re happy with, sign them up for a class. When you take them in for their class, sit on the side and watch the way the instructor interacts with the children. If it looks like a positive environment and your child had fun, sign them up for more classes!^{[19]
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- Some schools offer a free lesson for parents with younger children. Ask if a school offers a free class before paying for any classes.
- Don’t expect your child to turn into a masterful warrior overnight. It can take years of practice and natural development for your young child to develop the skills necessary to become adept at martial arts.

Expert Q&A
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Question

Can a 3-year-old learn martial arts?

Derrek Hofrichter
Self Defense Specialist
Derrek Hofrichter is a Self Defense Specialist and the Founder of EVKM Self Defense & Fitness in Tempe, Arizona. Derrek specializes in Krav Maga, Personal Safety, and Boxing. Derrek is a Krav Maga Third Degree Black Belt, a Senior Certified Krav Maga Instructor, and a Krav Maga Alliance Executive Board, and Training Team Member. EVKM Self Defense & Fitness was named the 2014 Krav Maga Alliance School of the Year and the 2017 Best Gym/Workout Studio in Phoenix. Derrek was named as one of the top 30 Health and Fitness Leaders in Arizona under the age of 40 by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com in 2018. He also holds a BA in Government Public Policy from Patrick Henry College.

Derrek Hofrichter

Self Defense Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

Yes, toddlers can start learning martial arts. After learning basic moves and strikes, they can also learn basic kicks, blocks, and grapple moves.
Question

How do you teach fighting basics to young kids?

Derrek Hofrichter
Self Defense Specialist
Derrek Hofrichter is a Self Defense Specialist and the Founder of EVKM Self Defense & Fitness in Tempe, Arizona. Derrek specializes in Krav Maga, Personal Safety, and Boxing. Derrek is a Krav Maga Third Degree Black Belt, a Senior Certified Krav Maga Instructor, and a Krav Maga Alliance Executive Board, and Training Team Member. EVKM Self Defense & Fitness was named the 2014 Krav Maga Alliance School of the Year and the 2017 Best Gym/Workout Studio in Phoenix. Derrek was named as one of the top 30 Health and Fitness Leaders in Arizona under the age of 40 by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com in 2018. He also holds a BA in Government Public Policy from Patrick Henry College.

Derrek Hofrichter

Self Defense Specialist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

A great way to start teaching martial arts to young children is by using blocks and pool noodles. That way, you can swing and move them, and the kids can practice striking and blocking without getting hurt.