Summer is nearing its end and families are gearing up for school with their list of school supplies, clothes to buy, and fall activities to sign up for. Parents are having important conversations with their kids to learn what classes they’d like to take, whether it is taking music lessons, playing a sport or joining a club.
If your schedule allows time for your child to participate in a sport, we highly recommend signing them up for Brazilian jiu jitsu. Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ) has become one of the fastest growing forms of martial arts in the United States. It focuses on grappling and ground fighting. It also promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can defend themselves against someone stronger or heavier. They learn this by using proper technique, joint locks, and chokeholds.
Although it may sound intense, there are many benefits to enlisting your child in a local BJJ gym. Here are five ways jiu jitsu will help your child in school:
Improve Their Grades
Children need physical, aerobic activity to promote the growth of new neurons in the brain, which can help improve your child’s IQ and performance in school. BJJ also increases blood flow and the chemical levels of dopamine and norepinephrine in the brain, which helps children think and focus in the classroom.
Encourage Safe Self Defense
Children learn important self-defense skills in BJJ because it helps teach them how to grapple their way into a dominant position or escape an uncomfortable position, all in a safe environment. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gives kids the self defense lessons they need to feel confident in themselves during a compromising situation without having to punch or kick another child.
Promote Leadership and Drive
Enrolling your child in a BJJ gym boosts the self-confidence and leadership qualities they need to thrive in school. Children in BJJ learn leadership skills through the training they go through to be promoted to a higher rank. This environment for promotion helps a child understand setting goals to move up in their education, future career, and more.
Establish Fitness Habits
According to the American Heart Association, one in three American children is overweight or obese. Don’t let your child become a statistic. Exposing your child early on to BJJ will help them stay fit and maintain a healthier lifestyle. BJJ is also an excellent way to build strong bones and muscles.
Help Create Friendships
Letting your child join a Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym will help them create life-long friendships. There is a special bond between members as they learn new skills and grow in their BJJ journey. Members spend time rolling or grappling during class, but also spend plenty of time off the mats conversing and sharing their life together through rank promotions, traveling to tournaments, or other team activities. Many children in BJJ say that the best part about joining a gym was the friendships they made along the way.
Overall, we hope you enjoy the end of summer with your kids and consider signing them up for a BJJ class this Fall. You won’t regret it!
