Category: Child Development

Teaching a child to set boundaries is an important part of helping them develop self-confidence, self-respect, and a sense of independence. Here are a few tips for teaching a child to set boundaries: Model healthy boundaries: Children learn by example, so it’s important to model healthy boundaries for your child. This might include setting boundaries […]

There was once a fifth grader named Max who had always been interested in martial arts. He had always been a bit shy and timid, and he hoped that martial arts training would help him build confidence and self-discipline. One day, Max’s parents signed him up for martial arts classes at Life SkillAcademy. From the […]

If you’re like most parents, you want your child to do well in school. But sometimes it feels like they just can’t focus. Maybe they can’t sit still or they keep getting distracted by everything going on around them. Here’s where martial arts can help. At Life Skill Martial Arts we teach kids how to […]

The National Institute Of Mental Health defines this condition as “persistent worry over nervousness in certain types of group settings.” The number of people who suffer from social anxiety has reached staggering proportions—15 million!  While medication will always play a role in treatment, many have turned towards martial arts as an alternative form for reducing […]

Being overweight as a child can have serious consequences. obese children are more likely to become obese adults, and they are also more likely to suffer from health problems like diabetes and heart disease.  In addition, overweight children often suffer from low self-esteem and are at risk for bullying. As a result, it is important […]

Classes at LIFE SKILL child development center are a blast for kids and parents alike. The mix of age-specific martial arts themes and powerful child development lessons makes each one of our classes a fun yet educational experience. Parents really love LIFE SKILL martial art classes because of the results they see in their children’s […]

The number one reason parents bring their children to LIFE SKILL Academy of Millbury is confidence. They’ll often say things like, “My shy kid needs help getting out into the world and talking about what’s going on in his/her life so they come out of their shell.” Building self-esteem can seem overwhelming for kids who […]

Sometimes I can’t help but laugh when I hear people talk about teens. Although the teenage brain is still developing and it’s not uncommon for them to make really poor decisions, they are the smartest age group.  Yes, they are smarter than most adults! A teen may be a child at heart, but their critical […]

Children learn and grow in stages. It is hard to pinpoint the exact ages and because some children either accelerate compared to their peers or are growing at a slower pace than normal. Within each age group, children show growth and development in four main categories. The four main categories are Physical, Intellectual, Emotional and Social. […]

Author Angela Duckworth, defines Grit as a child’s “perseverance and passion for long-term goals.” Her research shows that the measuree of Grit that a child develops is a better indicator of future earnings and happiness than either IQ or talent. While the word grit may conjure images of Cowboys and Boxers, in the past decade […]

  As a parent, you want nothing more than for your children to be successful. So, ever since your children were born, you’ve been working hard to give them the best life possible. You’ve sacrificed your time, money, and energy to make sure they have what they need. But, then you watch as one of […]

Research shows that kids who regularly participate in household tasks are more likely to have better life outcomes. Keep reading to learn more about the benefits of chore-doing and how you can get your little ones started on their path to happiness! As a parent, you want your child to be happy and successful. But, when […]

Parents, we all want our children to grow up with good manners and be respectful. Sometimes it can get challenging when their little personalities start coming out and they don’t know how to control themselves. As a parent, I’m sure there’s at least ONE situation that comes to mind where your child displayed a lack […]

How long does it take to earn a Black Belt at Life Skill Martial Arts? Best case scenario: 4 – 5 years 4 – 5 years of consistency.  4 – 5  years of challenging training.  4 – 5  years of dedication.  4 – 5  long years.  4 – 5  years is not an “activity” we […]

Over the years We’ve heard this statement thousands of times. To be very clear and honest about this statement. Children don’t quit things, parents do. This statement is usually a way to play mental gymnastics on who’s responsibility it is to make decisions on what’s best for our family. By saying “my child wants to […]

Working to strengthen the connection with our loved ones is something we all want and we all can do.  I know there are a lot of parents who feel like they’re just not as connected with their kids as in their past. It can be hard to find time for one another, when parents work […]

What’s one thing that every parent in the world wants for their children?  A Nice Social Life.  Nice Friends.  Even if they are friendly, it may take children a long time to connect with others. If your child is struggling with this, martial arts may be the answer. However, martial arts training can help kids […]

Programs for children are all around us. From day care centers to recreational sports and everything in between, options for parents to choose from are abounding. And although parents want what is best for their children, they often aren’t aware of the notable distinctions between the programs they are considering. To get the most out […]

Studies have shown that children who are well-disciplined tend to do better in school, be more successful when they enter the workforce and have a higher self-esteem.  Parents are always looking for ways to help their kids develop self-discipline in a world where it is hard to find. Martial arts training can be the perfect […]

There are many benefits to martial arts training for children. Not only does it help them stay physically fit, but it also teaches them discipline and teamwork. Additionally, martial arts can help keep kids safe from bullies and predators. Here are ten ways martial arts can help keep your child safe: 1. martial arts can […]

It is becoming more and more apparent that no one is to blame for everything that happens. So, if this is the case, how do we get ourselves in such turmoil if no one is responsible? Although this seems ridiculous, the use of “blame-shifting” has become the go-to way of justifying mistakes. When we have arguments or […]

Your child needs to know that no matter what happens, you are always going to be a consistent parent. Maintaining consistency means that you are going to be patient, connected, adaptable, and edutaining with your child all the time so your child knows what to expect from you and you know what to expect from […]

The news can be full of scary stories and information, especially for children. Our current situation has brought about even more concern for everyone in the world. If adults are feeling panicked, imagine how children must be feeling. And no matter the age, children can be emotionally affected by the news and begin feeling anxious […]

Adaptability is about how you respond to your child, especially when things do not go as planned.  Your child will have a variety of great days, bad days, and everything in between. Here are a few ways you can apply adaptability to your parenting and keep your child motivated: Intrinsic Motivation   Choices What do you […]

 Let’s face it, conflict is hard and is bound to happen no matter what ground rules are put into place. Whether it’s on the playground or right in our own homes, children will clash. And while it can create challenging situations, it is a normal event that occurs between children. This is why conflict resolution […]

Being a nurturing parent means adjusting your child’s behaviors, not trying to change them. In other words, change the behavior, not the child. 1. Let them Know that Mistakes are Okay I get excited when my son makes a mistake because it gives me the opportunity to teach him, which is what parenting is all […]

Be the parent your child needs you to be. They need you to be in their world. That means interacting and playing with them on their level to prompt them through the tasks and chores they don’t want to do.  Here are some tips and examples on using effectively using edutainment with your child. Practice Healthy […]

Stress is a significant part of our lives today. And while we all experience it, children and teens have a more difficult time managing it. Academic pressure, social tensions, family stressors, etc. all impact a young person’s mental well-being. For this reason, it’s important for parents to help their children develop coping skills by guiding […]

How can you set your child up for daily success? One of the most effective ways to do this is to focus on prompting instead of punishment. Here’s what you need about prompting your child toward good behavior and decisions: 1. Friendly Competition One of the ways to prompt your child toward good behavior is […]

Bullying has become an epidemic in recent years. Yes, there have always been bullies, and yes, those bullies have always caused serious and lasting damage to their victims; however, bullying in the 21st century has changed – and not for the better. According to Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center, one in four students has reported […]

Which scary scenario are you agonizing over the most? Fear Of: Getting sick from Covid Your child being able to stay masked Other kids keeping their mask on Administrators enforcing the mask mandate Kids ability to hear and communicate and behave with a mask on Getting childcare after a sudden school closing or quarantine Getting […]

Every child desires to be loved and treated with so much value. When it comes to children, every little thing counts. Tracy had her first child in her middle 30’s after waiting for years. Being the only child, she decided to take it open herself to pamper her child, showing her all the affection she […]

Parents are an essential element to their child’s success in anything. The enthusiasm and support, or lack thereof, of a parent can make or break a child’s accomplishments. At LIFE SKILL martial arts, it is even more essential that parents be involved as part of the teaching team since the LIFE SKILL system applies child […]

LEADERS ARE READERS There are a few common habits that the most successful people keep. One of the most common is that they are voracious readers. The goal of LIFE SKILL classes is to help kids become the most successful versions of themselves. While our main tool for spurring development is age-specific martial arts training, […]

Have you ever tried to ask your 7 to 9-year-old, a question or to make a decision under pressure?  Or worse, had them try to tell you a story in a limited amount of time? “So this one time…. You know how like, sometimes, if you like, like sometimes… I mean, yesterday, like this one […]

Is Your Child Ready for School? The past year and a half of school have been such a tumultuous ride. From school closures to virtual classes to partial reopening, it seems as if our children have experienced every out-of-the-norm scenario we could come up with. And although the goal was to keep them safe, children’s […]

  We all may have that one child in our lives who has trouble focusing or sustaining attention. Perhaps the child is smart but you want to help them develop better-focusing skills for academic excellence. If you are looking for a way to help your child improve their focus and concentration, martial arts may just […]

Coloring has been a favorite activity for kids since kids have been a thing! The first child likely used mud to create wonderful works of pediatric art. The best part is that coloring is also a great tool for spurring development. (Want to download a free martial-arts-themed coloring book for your child? Scroll to the […]

Every month Martín’s parents took a trip to see Grandma and came home on the same train the next day. One day the child said to his parents: “I’m already grown up. Can I go to my grandma’s alone?” After a brief discussion, his parents accepted. They stood with him as he waited for the […]

A healthy diet is essential for kids’ physical and mental health. Meanwhile, the busy life style and convenience food have impacted kids’ health negatively. The adverse effects on their health may continue to leave their marks till adulthood and develop weight gain and other problems. Therefore, it is essential to get kids to adopt better […]

Do you ever feel like you can read your child’s mind?  You know what they are going to do or say next because they have had the same reaction before?  This is attunement.  Improving your attunement skills will allow you to create a more patient and understanding relationship with your child.          […]

Hey Friends and Families,  The times when children are the most responsive and happy are when they are most connected with their parents. Everything from getting down on their eye level, physical touch, and committed attention makes a big difference. When it comes to fostering self-discipline and self-esteem, children need CONNECTION more than anything else!  […]

In a world that highly values the traits of extroverted individuals, shy children are often assumed to have something wrong that needs to be fixed. However, shyness is simply a personality trait that is part of their temperament. Children are born with unique personalities, although the environment can play a significant role in how these […]

We Can Always Do More Than We Think We Can. In 1839, George Dantzig was a math major at Berkeley. He stayed up late one night studying and the next morning he was running late for class. When he arrived he saw some problems on the board and thought they were homework. So he wrote them […]

As we navigate the world, we all use our senses to receive input from our surroundings, let our brains process, and then tell us how to react. Generally, we respond with minimal disruption to our routine. However, processing sensory stimuli can be a challenge for some people, either because there is too much or not […]

One of the biggest struggles in parenting is understanding why perfectly sweet and smart children can, in an instant, turn into the most difficult beings ever faced. It’s often as if a switch was flipped and chaos has ensued. This typically results in parents becoming frustrated at their child and disciplining them in the heat […]

There’s no doubt that children’s social skills have become rusty over the past year and not progressed as they should have. With more limited interactions than usual, children have experienced adverse effects on their social development. And while many children have had the opportunity to engage in some school setting and/or activity, there were still […]

Over the past year, children have faced many disturbances in their daily lives and interactions. These things have contributed to a lot of emotional imbalance and brought on or exacerbated feelings of sadness, fear, and anxiety. Since children are still developing abilities to regulate their strong and ever-changing emotions, they need assistance in strengthening these […]

For the past year, children have mostly been stuck inside, in front of a computer for school, and on a device during free time. And as much as parents have tried to keep their children active, it’s been a struggle with the limitations of many activities. But now, as communities begin opening back up in […]

Summer break is typically viewed as a time for relaxation, fun, and no schedules. However, considering the dramatic change in our lives over the past year and seeing communities begin opening back up in a full capacity now, this summer would be the perfect time to get children back on track. As unfortunate as it […]

Productivity is one of the most highly regarded traits in the work world today. And to be productive, multitasking is the go-to method. The ability to switch between multiple tasks rapidly is seen as a special skill, but it stifles productivity and increases the likelihood of making mistakes. But with the growing flood of information […]

There are a lot of activities that are available to children these days that will help them build confidence. In fact, confidence is one of the more common requests that we have from parents who bring their children to Life Skill Martial Arts. Parents want us to help bring the kids out of their shells […]

Attention span has long been a topic regarding the relationship between children and learning. As the years have passed, technology has been at the forefront of our everyday lives. This has caused the concern for inattentiveness to become even more of an issue. Children are constantly presented with new and exciting things that catch their […]

When it comes to parenting, emotions can run high. When children act out negatively, parents often become frustrated quickly and react by trying to fix the behavior immediately by yelling, punishing, etc. However, this approach is never a win for the child or the parent. Team LIFE SKILL continually studies and researches new and innovative […]

Although Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is such a prevalent diagnosis, there are still many misconceptions surrounding it. People often assume that ADHD results from poor parenting, laziness, or some learning disorder. And with these assumptions come a wide range of approaches to “fix” the problem. However, with the lack of proper understanding of this disorder, […]

Teaching children the Life Skill KINDNESS will help them experience more positive feelings, which is key to overriding negative expressions. Here is a guideline on ways we can guide children to help them build their capacity for KINDNESS: ~Teach them how to put their best foot forward with others. ~Teach them how to do good […]

Productivity is one of the most highly regarded traits in the work world today. And to be productive, multitasking is the go-to method. The ability to switch between multiple tasks rapidly is seen as a special skill, but it stifles productivity and increases the likelihood of making mistakes. But with the growing flood of information […]

Children between the ages of five and six years old are no longer “little kids.” They are in a very important transition in their lives. They have developed skills that make them appear to have things more together, so they are often approached by adults as an “older kid.” However, they still do not have […]

Attention span has long been a topic regarding the relationship between children and learning. As the years have passed, technology has been at the forefront of our everyday lives. This has caused the concern for inattentiveness to become even more of an issue. Children are constantly presented with new and exciting things that catch their […]

Is it nature, is it nurture? That is the question. This age-old debate, in the world of psychology, has been a source of controversy for decades. At some point, all parents have toyed with thoughts of which one has most influenced their child concerning personality traits, abilities, etc. And while different psychology fields have distinct […]

“I believe that children are our future, show them all the beauty they possess inside.” Whitney Houston All too often, the magnificence of individuality is overshadowed by a need to meet the status quo. When a child exhibits behavior that is “problematic” or “difficult,” adults often assume the child is defiant. However, often, the child […]

Over the years, healthy connection levels between parents and children have decreased, leading to more challenging behaviors from children. Today’s modern lifestyle has interfered with the opportunity for the parent-child bond to grow. This vital aspect of a child’s life is essential for their emotional cup to be full, giving them healthy self-worth and self-esteem. […]

As we know, children can lose control of their emotions for various reasons, and the behaviors we witness are generally unplanned. And since anxiety can look like defiance, adults often respond in counterproductive ways. When children are stressed, the amygdala, in the downstairs brain, is triggered, and the “fight or flight” response takes over. This […]

In recent years, parenting has undergone a shift and has become hyper-focused on the child. And while care, attention, and love are necessary for forming healthy attachments and helping children reach developmental milestones, an over-protective or coddling type approach can also hinder them. Rest assured, this parenting tactic comes from a place of love but […]

How can you set your child up for daily success? One of the most effective ways to do this is to focus on prompting instead of punishment. Here’s what you need about prompting your child toward good behavior and decisions: 1. Friendly Competition One of the ways to prompt your child toward good behavior is […]

Most Martial Arts all look pretty similar from the outside. But, what’s on the inside of Life Skill? It is something quite different. When I began teaching in 1986 and opened Life Skill in 1990, I taught traditional Chinese Martial Arts. Pretty good stuff actually! I even won a gold medal in China! But… I quickly […]