Karate kids: should we be worried about martial arts in pre-schools?

Abstract

When you think of martial arts, you probably think of bare fists and bloodied faces, not a four year-old in a child care centre. But martial arts and self-defence programs do appear to be growing in popularity in childcare centres and pre-schools. In one case, three and four year-olds at a childcare centre in Melbourne are being taught self-defence techniques based on Krav Maga – a martial art developed by the Israeli military. While there is some concern about safety and exposing pre-schoolers to violence, martial arts and self-defence can have a place in the physical education of young children, even before they reach primary school.