The Back to School Bully is Real

Starting back in school this end of summer should be a happy and exciting time for your child - new friends to be made, meeting new teachers, and new clothes to wear!

Unfortunately for some kids though, the eagerness and enthusiasm to start the new school year is more anxiety than excitement if they are the victim of a bully.

We get asked a lot by parents, “What is the best way to help my child deal with a bullying situation?” The Instructors at Impact Martial Arts have had a lot of experience in helping children deal with bullying situations.” 

The solution? Building up a child’s Self-Confidence is one of the best ways to bully-proof your child. This comes through the discipline of the martial arts - the consistent practicing of moves, physical fitness, and Belt Ranking. We use special teaching tools like “Spot-lighting,” PCP, and “Praise in Public” to help build your child’s Confidence level. Making them successful in the martial arts equates to confidence in difficult situations.

We also highlight their achievements. This helps them build Self-esteem and Self-confidence to face challenges head on, and to “Never Give Up!”‍‍‍

Regardless of the tactics or style you choose for your child, the first thing you need to do is create a trusting line of communication to ensure that your child is sharing incidents with you when being bullied. This can be achieved by simply listening to what they have to say and asking questions to make sure that the entire situation is understood. Also, parents should share personal experiences they’ve had with bullying. This will help children realize that you have an understanding of how they feel. At this point, a parent and child can figure how to address the issue together. Here are some of the ways American Karate Institute helps students prepare for tense situations:‍‍‍

Body Language and Communication Skills

Whether you’re at attention or sparring, martial arts stances exude confidence. At AKI, we teach our students proper breathing (calm breathing radiates calm composure) and to speak with confidence to help deter any immediate threats from a bully. This is something that is practiced on a regular basis, which not only helps kids to communicate effectively, but also aids in possibly defusing the situation from becoming physical.

limitations of the mind forcing the body to adapt, improve, and train with heightened focus. The various benefits include: cardiovascular and muscular endurance, speed, balance, combinations, timing, reaction time and focus to name a few.‍‍‍

Con‍‍‍sistent Practice and Sparring

As in any sport, athletes or students must begin to advance their training and exercise regimen. Once they’ve learned the basics and have a firm grasp of the movements when hitting the bag, we have to remember that bags don’t hit back.

Regular sparring helps to reduce the nervous limitations of the mind forcing the body to adapt, improve, and train with heightened focus. The various benefits include: cardiovascular and muscular endurance, speed, balance, ‍‍‍combinations, timing, reaction time and focus to name a few.

If your child should ever come to you with an issue of bullying, whether large or small, it should never be taken lightly. While we have made great strides in bringing national awareness to the matter – efforts to bully-proof schools and work – as parents and educators we need to prepare our children on how to deal with bullying on a personal level that can be achieved through education and self-defense training.‍‍‍

Contact Impact Martial Arts for a Free Trial Classes

At Impact Martial Arts, we teach a way of life. Our Austin martial arts school has developed a well thought out, effective, and exciting curriculum. For children, it includes Bully Buster, Stranger Danger, Positive Life Skills, and overall physical fitness. Contact us today if you’re interested in self-defense classes and schedule a free-trial class!‍‍‍