How to teach your preschooler non-violent self-defense

One of my best recollections of a preschooler was of the son of Master Wayne Lewis in a martial arts class in York, SC.
The young child joined in with the other children in the self-defense class, knowing all the defensive moves, such as blocks using his forearms and knees. The forearm blocks would defend him against hits and the knee blocks would defend him against kicks.
Of course, the sport teaches no contact, self-control, respect, and using the moves defensively and not offensively.
For example, if a preschool child is in a classroom with 14 other preschoolers and one teacher, who may not be able to intervene in time to stop another aggressive preschooler from hitting, the preschool child who has practiced repetitive self-defense moves will be able to automatically put up the palm of the hand like a stop sign (turn, walk away) and prevent the approaching offensive preschooler from making contact with other parts of the body, such as the face.
So, to prevent your child from getting hit when there is only one teacher in a room of 15 preschoolers, find a self-defense class so that the preschooler can learn to block anything coming his way, including a thrown object, such as a ball.
Of course, preschools do not promote violence, but there is no reason why young children should not learn to defend themselves in non-violent ways.
Yes, children should learn to use their words. But words do not always stop an offender. Learning to bob, duck, and weave can help your preschooler to avoid offenses in a non-violent way.
Besides self-defense, martial arts classes can also help to build gross motor skills, such as balance, coordination, stamina, and endurance. A martial arts class proves to build muscle tone, strength, and agility.
Some programs require their students to memorize, learn, and recite a code of respect and responsibility. Before they can earn a belt, they must promise only to use the sport defensively, and not offensively.
For more information on self-defense classes available in Charlotte, NC, such as at The Little Gym, click here.