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 […]
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 […]
Parents say that martial arts helps their kids develop a “Can-Do” confident attitude. How? Take a look at our 5 ways martial arts helps boost children’s confidence: 1. Start With The End In Mind Step #1 at Life Skill Martial Arts is how to set and achieve goals. All new students learn that setting a […]
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 […]
Good grades and better study habits are the result of a child’s level of self-control. This article will discuss some ways that could help boost your child’s ability to control their focus and emotions. According to a study conducted by the University of Pennsylvania, martial arts training is one of the most effective ways to […]
I never wanted to have to protect my daughter. I’ve always wanted her to be capable, confident and strong, able to take care of herself, able to protect herself. But, the world is a scary place, and as a parent, it’s hard not to feel that need to constantly look out for your child. We do […]
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 […]
It’s amazing how much confidence a child has in themselves when they’re just getting started with life. They feel safe trying new things because their parents have faith in them, and that gives kids courage to take risks on what might seem scary at first glance! But, the fear of disappointing others can make a […]
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 […]
One of my friends asked: “Why do you pay so much money and spend so much time for your son to do martial arts?” Well I have a confession to make: I don’t pay for Martial Arts! I don’t pay for my son’s martial arts lessons. I don’t pay for his focus mitts….. or uniforms, […]
Do your kids have a hard time staying on task? Are they constantly getting distracted and unable to focus, even when you’re not around? It’s normal that children will experience issues with concentration as childhood progresses; after all no two people mature in exactly the same way! And who hasn’t seen an underperforming child […]
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 […]
Martial arts may be the perfect solution. It can help kids stay in shape, learn self-defense skills, and make new friends. With the right instructor, it can be a fun way to get your child in shape while teaching them self-discipline and respect at the same time! Not only does it work out the body, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Children and teens are involved in a myriad of physical activities and sports. And whether they are at a competitive or recreational level, the basic physical requirements are the same. In order to achieve optimum training levels, it’s important that the exercises prepare the athlete for the best physical outcome. The safest way to begin […]
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 […]
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 […]
Studying the martial arts makes kids less destructive because it helps them control their movements. Now, you might be thinking, how can learning how to break a board with their hands help kids be less destructive? I know it seems counterintuitive, but it is true. Young kids don’t have the same motor control that adults […]
Millbury – Worcester, Massachusetts Parents! Would you like your child to become a martial arts superstar? Did you know that many famous Hollywood stars are actively training in martial arts? Here is one of the biggest karate star actors talking about his training martial arts training that helped him to stardom! “I think anything that […]
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 […]
Many times I think the parents of the newer martial arts students look out at the floor and see the instructors and black belt kids and say: “Man, I wish my kid tried that hard and looked like that!” I have even heard parents say “I wish my son was as focused as that little […]
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, […]
At Life Skill Martial Arts in Millbury, Massachusetts, I’ve had many people come up to me, over the past thirty years and tell me how impressed they were with their child’s development in the ares of confidence and communication. Our students take turns leading their small groups, practicing how to stand tall, use a clear voice […]
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 […]
Almost everyone knows that participating in martial arts classes provides an aerobic workout, but, what might surprise you is that it tones muscles too. A lot of people associate muscle toning by lifting weights or – in the case of abdominal muscles – doing planks. And sometimes they make the mistake of thinking that studying […]
Traditionally, if the term “Martial Arts Family” was used, it referred to the closeness and unity of fellow practitioners. Today, “Martial Arts Family” has been redefined by the increasing popularity of the Martial Arts within entire households. Moms and dads, brothers and sisters are learning the Martial Arts together. In today’s society, where everyone seems […]
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 […]
There’s no denying that advancements in technology have made our lives easier. We can work from home, shop online, and watch newly released movies, among many other things, all without leaving the couch. And while this saves us travel time and hassle, it can lead to unexpected health consequences. The reason is that we are […]
Did you know that many, many, many years ago some martial arts were taught in secrecy? Schools like Life Skill Martial Arts in Millbury, Massachusetts did not exist. Most students trained solely for self-defense and meditation. At that time the other benefits of martial arts training like focus, discipline, body awareness and motor skills were […]
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 […]
Fear of public speaking (Glossophobia) is a common form of anxiety. It can range from slight nervousness to paralyzing fear and panic. Many people with glossophobia avoid public speaking situations altogether which can lead to anxieties, depression and living a lower quality life. Our goal here at Life Skill Martial Arts in Millbury, Massachusetts, is […]
Here at Life Skill Martial Arts in Millbury, Massachusetts, we communicate with parents on daily basis. Over the years we discuss many topics regarding martial arts or karate training for kids and teens. One of the many benefits of training in our martial arts classes is the bully defense aspect. Often, I ask parents if […]
Over the last year, sports programs have had shortened seasons, if any at all. Because of that, training time for athletes of all ages has dropped significantly. Now, with sports returning to a more normal duration, young athletes are working hard to regain lost skills and recondition their bodies. The problem, however, is that lengthy […]
Parents everywhere want their children to achieve success. This is usually defined by fulfilling societal norms, whether in terms of grades, athletic abilities, or something else. And the push to accomplish these things first is putting pressure on children and parents as well. Comparisons are fueling the expectation for children to develop at a specific […]
Hey parents of Millbury, Worcester, and Grafton, Massachusetts (and all surrounding areas!). I’m certain you know exercise is great for every kid. But, kids who think and learn differently can have a hard time finding a sport that suits them. Find out why martial arts and Kung Fu might be a good fit for your […]
How often have we asked our children to do something and right away you hear something along the lines of, “I don’t want to” or “Do I have to?”. At Life Skill, we are teaching students that to have Discipline means to obey the rules and Do What Is Right. They learn that there should […]
When people generally think of “play” they think of fun and games…something simply for amusement and nothing more. However, there is a bigger, and more important, piece that is often overlooked…learning. As Kay Redfield Jamison said, “Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury. Play is a necessity.” The same […]
Hardly a day passes without there being a story about a child who was at the receiving end of bullying – and it can have terrible consequences. When we look at the problem of bullying, it’s important to do it from both sides. Why are some kids the targets of bullies – and why do […]
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 […]
Training Dates with your Life Skill Ninja You may hear your child’s Life Skill Coach speaking about practice time at home now and then. Why? Practicing at home will have a huge impact on your Life Skill Ninja’s ability to perform in class which will lead to more confidence. With more confidence comes the ability […]
What Is A Life Skill School? How is our academy a Life Skill school? Our coaches use martial arts as a tool to teach Life Skills. Other schools say they teach Life skills, but… they really just teach a sport martial arts class. They teach the blocks, punches, kicks, Sport Sparring, et… And then MAYBE […]
There are six core Life Skills that our students learn. Respect, Discipline, Confidence, Honesty, Communication and Self Esteem. In this blog, I’ll explain the first tenet to you, and talk about why I think it’s important. The first skill at Life Skill is Respect. If you’ve ever witnessed our martial arts demonstration or classes, you […]
LIFE SKILL Coaches guide children, both online and in our academy, to set goals. But to achieve these goals, they must establish and maintain a set routine that will put them on a path of learning and growing until the goal can be met. that’s why we created Life Skill Academy Online, where children of […]
Parents fear their kids will end up followers of the “Wrong Crowd”. Life Skill uses martial arts as a vehicle to guide your children on a journey to become Leaders. As parents, most of us want to feel like we’ve done everything we can to help our kids develop the skills needed to make it […]
Good behavior is a learning process for children, and as parents and teachers, we are their guides for the roadmap to success. Children usually behave per their own emotions and impulses. At the same time, being a parent is also a learning process and sometimes we rely on our own emotions and impulses to teach. […]
Three and four year olds grow at a rapid rate in all areas of development. They are discovering new things daily, while also learning how to cope with new challenges. Additionally, they are in pursuit of autonomy, which can lead to behavioral issues that the adults in their lives often become frustrated with. The problem comes in […]
When you hear the term “school readiness,” the first thing most people think of is children knowing academic basics that will help them meet the demands of the classroom. While these cognitive skills are essential, teachers feel that skills in the other areas of child development are just as, or more important. Social, emotional, and […]
There are many reasons to enroll our child(ren) in a martial arts program. If you are a parent looking to find a program for your child that you can support, here are five reasons why parents find martial arts is a good fit for not just their children, but their entire family! Teaches Discipline. Martial […]
1. Every behavior has a positive intention and is a sign of our children’s individuality. Sometimes children may act strange or out-of-bounds during class only because he or she is simply finding his or her own path. Many parents and teachers have a distorted perception of strange or aggressive behavior. We shouldn’t assume that strange […]
Why? Here’s a few reasons: Life Skills: For us, martial arts is more than just punching and kicking, it’s a way of life. Our instructors use the martial arts as a vehicle to teach the valuable Life Skills of: Respect, Discipline, Confidence, Communication, Honesty, and Self Esteem. These are the real lessons that your kids […]
The world can be a scary place – as adults, we know this all to well. But when we’re children, we’re innocent. Perhaps, we may even be just a bit naive. When we find ourselves in a sticky situation, we’re reminded of just how unpredictable life can be and how the world around us can […]
Children are born Unstoppable! When we were small babies, we cried until we got our way. When we were toddlers, we kept trying to get up, then walk, even after falling down thousands of times! We grew more and more relentless, constantly chasing whatever we wanted. Learning a language, climbing over obstacles, drawing artwork, singing songs, […]
If you look at our Life Skill Alter, you can see Chinese character for Fire 火 turned upside down. Fire can be Spirit, which can save our life and make us have passion and success. But, too much fire destroys. For martial artists, this is important. We need to practice the Life Skill: Self Control. […]
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 […]
Every child is born with their own unique way of interacting with the world. Some are flexible in the midst of change while others may experience stress when presented with new situations or a change in schedule. This is what is referred to as temperament. While some temperaments are easier to handle than others, it […]
Over the last 30 years we have helped thousands of kids in Massachusetts become stronger mentally physically emotionally and socially. Many parents come to me because their child seems to sit on the sidelines, so to speak. They are really shy around people. They child doesn’t make friends easily. The child doesn’t like to participate in sports […]
Hey Parents, Stan Tabor here from Life Skill Martial Arts. Over the last 30 years we’ve been helping parents help their kids grow stronger physically, mentally, emotionally and socially. I get to talk to a lot of parents and it seems like the stress, worry and anxiety level of parents is really high right now […]
Catch Kids Doing Good! A good finder is a parent, teacher, or friend that is always looking for those good things that others do. It’s all too natural for us to look for the negative and certainly we’re going to find what we look for. Most parents and teachers constantly tell kids what they did […]
How Mirror Neurons Impact Learning Learning is a big part of child development and how children learn things is dependent on a variety of factors. Much of the time, observational learning contributes to how children learn information and behaviors. This type of social learning can be greatly influential because of the role that mirror neurons […]
Historically, martial arts have been a part of most civilizations. From Greek and Roman wrestling, Western Boxing and fencing to Chinese Kung Fu and Japanese Karate, martial arts have a long and interesting history. Regardless of where or when people lived, knowing the proper way to move (AKA “Get Out Of Trouble”), strike, and defend ourselves […]
Today, the world is moving extremely fast. People are achieving amazing things at younger ages than ever before. This consistent strive toward excellence has created insane levels of competition for children of all ages. While this can be a good thing, it can also lead to increased levels of stress and frustration among kids at […]
Uniforms can be a great way to create a union among members in an organization and create a consistent appearance. For centuries, a vast array of industries have used uniforms, including: • Schools, • Militaries, • Sports Teams • Performance Troupes, • Workplaces… Uniforms help us distinguish one group or organization from another. While differentiation […]
The development of a child can be one of the most fascinating things to watch unfold. From infants mirroring movements to toddlers and children mastering high level developmental skills, the growth they experience in a short time is astounding. And while all skills are important for children to master, bilateral coordination is an important prerequisite […]
How to stop kids from developing the Habit of Quitting This year marks Life Skill’s 30th anniversary! Boy, Time Flies! I feel very lucky to be able to look back and see so many close relationships, so many memories and so many students who have realized their goal of becoming Black Belt Leaders. As we […]
Is It Rude, Is It Mean, Is It Bullying? As they say, kids will be kids. And yes, children and teens can be unkind to their peers and feelings get hurt. The problem is when these behaviors become common and target the same person repeatedly. This is when kids being kids begins to cross the […]
Respect As parents, we are responsible for teaching our kids how to treat others the way we want to be treated. When we begin this lesson we teach kids respect for others. Studies show that children as young as 2-3 years old are able to empathize with others. Kids can pick up on the fact that others have […]
Why Kids Whine? Why Do Kids Whine? Because… It WORKS! Kids are smart! They recognize patterns and only continue ones that work for them. Children Whine = Parents Give-in. All children recognize whining gets them the attention that they crave. Could even equal brownies for breakfast, a candy bar in the checkout line, or a video game, […]
What to Expect from 5 and 6 Year Old’s 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 […]
The Secret to Developing More Well-Rounded Athletes An athlete is defined by Merriam-Webster as “a person who is trained or skilled in exercises, sports, or games requiring physical strength, agility, or stamina.” Athletes in specific sports train to be at the top of their game, but how much better of an athlete would they be […]
As parents, we all want the same thing… for our children to be a positive member of society and experience success. While these are important things, they often come through a push to achieve and be the best in everything. Unfortunately, this is frequently done through comparing our children to others. This, however, often leads […]
This November/December cycle, our Life Skill is Confidence. Throughout the whole cycle, we focus even more on this life skill and make sure that every student understands what Confidence means and why it is important in all aspects of our lives, including the martial arts Confidence starts with Belief In Ourselves. In order for us […]
Children between the ages of 3 and 4 are at a very unique growth period in their lives. They are growing at a rapid rate in all areas of development and are discovering new things daily, while also learning how to cope with new challenges. Additionally, they are in pursuit of autonomy, which can lead […]
OXYTOCIN The Key To Positive Social Relationships In Children and Teens Oxytocin has been dubbed the “love chemical.” It is the hormone that is released when we feel love and trust in relationships. For most people, they know oxytocin as a significant part of the parent-child bonding process. However, it is also very important in […]
Why do people bully? There are a lot of reasons why people feel the need to bully others. The primary reasons are: Trying to fit in and feeling that bullying is the way Feel better, by making others feel like less. They too are being bullied It is important to remember that people who bully […]
Being proactive, with children, means helping them learn in a positive versus negative manner. That’s my approach on working with children, I think it gives you a lot less stress, it makes you feel better about yourself, it helps you develop great relationships with children. There was this professor, his name was Douglas McGregor. He […]
A parent’s work schedule never really syncs up perfectly with his/her child’s school schedule. As school lets out for the day, parents are usually wondering what options are in place for them to place their children in until they are out of work. Plus, they want to be able to put their children in programs […]
The Best Summer Programs Teach Martial Arts – In the Worcester – Millbury – Shrewsbury – Grafton – Auburn Area It might not seem possible, but summer is almost here. The kids will be out of school THIS WEEK!!! And you’ll be wondering what you can do to help them fill their days with something […]
Have you ever wondered why children and teens seem to be so addicted to their smart phones and other devices? Parents are frustrated with their children’s lack of attention and motivation but what do their devices have to do with this? The answer is found in science! Often referred to as the “motivator molecule,” dopamine […]
One of the Key things that will Influence your child the MOST (Besides awesome parents like yourself) is their Environment. Kids Copy. The Life Skill Culture was specifically designed with this in mind. STRUCTURE From the moment your child walks into Life Skill and bows at the door (“Hello Sir/ Hello Ma’am!” ), RESPECT is […]
You may hear your child’s martial arts instructor talking about practice time at home fairly often. This is because practicing can have a huge impact on a child’s ability to perform in class which will lead to more confidence. With more confidence comes the ability to achieve faster and farther! Another great benefit to practicing […]
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