Karate Class Issues

Op,
How old is your child? How long has he been in the class? Can you hang around in the class?
How is your child - on average more sensitive than other kids/ more mischievous?
Do you get to speak to the Karate master? Have you hinted, directly spoken to him regarding this issue? What was and what is your gauge of him now?
Some teachers push because they feel the child has more potential, some are just harsh by nature, some are petty and show partiality .

You did a darn good job in giving the pep talk to your son - you even managed to convince him!!. He also needs to know that you talk to the teacher , and you are right behind him to support him.

Check with the teacher if there are some exercises he can practice at home to help him. For sports like this one needs to be very disciplined, so I would try that if I feel my son would benefit from the discipline.

While a lot depends on the above factors - on the whole I will not be inclined to send my kid if I feel the teacher is hurting his confidence. The child needs to respect the teacher not fear or hate him.

 

Nothing is important than your kid. Change the Karate school, don't send the kid to that instructor.

When my son was little, he used to complain about his piano class, as did not want to go. Eventually, he told me that teacher pinched him hardly because he didn't play correctly.

So, listen to your kid.

 

Karate is a martial art form. It does not mean fighting.and please do not tell your son that. Initial classes are learning bresthing techniques and forms like kata,kihon and kumite. And the master needs more patient.

If you think he is picking out the two kids alone you need to think again.

No the master does not need to use the punch bat on the kids.
Atleast masters who taught my kids did not.
And this training should make your son feel good and confident about himself and if it is not working, this teacher is not working for your son.

 

I completely agree with Poovai. Find a different place to send your child. Your child came to you and asked for your help in dealing with a difficult situation , but you asked him to go back and endure the same thing . Just imagine your child facing such situations in all the classes he goes to - be it school or music class or art class or whatever. Is he supposed to get beaten everywhere and accept it as normal?

My two kids hold Black belts in Martial arts (earned over 6-7 years) and not once have I seen or heard of them or any other kids being hit or beaten.

 

Stop immediately. This is not common and in fact the first time I am hearing of something like this. Anytime a child protests to go to school or an after school activity dig deep and in my exp 99% of the time the child is justified.

 

Pull the child out immediately.

My younger son was also treated very badly by his Karate instructor.
He was so eager to learn Karate when he was eight and his teacher ruined the whole experience for him.
He never wanted to go to another class.

 

I learnt Karate as a kid.
I am planning to send my kids to Karate.
Though I really appreciate you giving a pep talk to your child, I want to correct you a little bit. My heartfelt apologies if it hurts you.

Karate doesn't mean fight..it means learning to be confident in handling any situation where self defence matters.
By hitting and scolding your child, the master is making your child lose confidence, forget teaching to be confident.
Kids should not be forced to learn anything from an elder who hurts their tender hearts and budding confidence levels. There is a danger that the child grows very sad and scared of exploring newer activities.

Please have a serious chat with the master.