Martial arts classes for kids in Singapore
As more parents look beyond traditional activities like swimming or ballet, martial arts has emerged as a popular choice. Did you know that kids as young as 4 years old can start learning martial arts?
Many might think that martial arts isn’t suited for a child, but it’s actually a good way to build confidence, discipline, and resilience. We speak with 7-year-old Bradley and his mom, Valentane, about how his martial arts journey has helped him grow and navigate life with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
Signing Bradley up for martial arts classes to combat autism
Image credit: Valentane Huang
Bradley has ASD, which is a developmental disability affecting one’s social communication skills and interactions. The thought of enrolling Bradley into martial arts classes began with Valentane’s concerns about “him becoming the target of bullying in primary school”, and she started considering it as a possible outlet for Bradley to build self-defence skills.
Image credit: Valentane Huang
Besides, the sport perfectly fits Bradley’s needs, as “albeit high functioning, he is socially inept,” said Valentane. Martial arts isn’t much of a team sport, so having to interact frequently with others wouldn’t stress him out too much. Instead, he can make friends in class at his own pace.
People with ASD learn and move through repetitive behaviours. A fixed class structure sets an expectation for upcoming sessions that Bradley can pre-empt. This means that once he gets used to his environment, he’ll be practising kicks comfortably in no time.
Attending Muay Thai & BJJ classes as a complete beginner
Image credit: Valentane Huang
Bradley started attending martial arts classes in October 2023, taking both Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu as part of Evolve MMA’s Children’s Programme. “I was shy but very good,” Bradley proudly recalled when asked how he felt during his first-ever lesson. “I wasn’t anxious, it was fun!”
Image credit: Valentane Huang
Fast forward more than a year, Bradley now goes to classes regularly 3 times a week. He thoroughly enjoys the thrill of the sport and excitedly shares that his proudest moment was receiving compliments on his powerful kicks during Muay Thai class. “The instructors called me Angry Bird!” said Bradley. “Now, they call me Super Mario!”
Image credit: Valentane Huang
A standout moment for Bradley was when he got promoted in his level of stripes and belts. “All promotions are memorable,” he added. Bradley’s achievements are a tangible motivating factor, signifying his progress and boosting his confidence.
Seeing positive changes outside of martial arts classes
Image credit: Valentane Huang
Back at school, Bradley has been noticing changes in his behaviour after joining martial arts. “I am more brave now and confident in school,” he explains. “Teachers said I follow instructions better in class.”
Not just himself, Valentane also spots improvements in Bradley’s personal life, stating that he “has improved in spatial awareness, gross motor control, and is more confident to forge friendships with peers in his Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai classes.”
“Teachers also noticed improvements in his emotional regulation.” shared Valentane.
Image credit: Valentane Huang
As a former pageant contestant and winner, Valentane wishes to teach Bradley the importance of self-love and self-acceptance. Witnessing the changes in her son’s attitude towards himself is incredibly heartwarming, as it has always been her aim to nurture strong self-esteem in Bradley.
She’s glad to see him becoming more comfortable with himself and around others with martial arts. In her words, it’s all about “Understanding your weaknesses and treating yourself with kindness and respect, while recognising your strengths and believing in your worth when no one else does.” Bradley’s ability to embrace both victories and setbacks is what she believes defines his growth.
Choosing Evolve MMA for Bradley’s martial arts journey
Image credit: Valentane Huang
When signing Bradley up for classes, Valentane’s top priority was choosing a suitable programme that would accommodate her son’s needs. “I chose Evolve MMA due to the ethical sales team, no hard-selling, friendly staff, and professional instructors who empathise with Bradley’s condition,” she listed.
Another deciding factor was the importance of structure and routine, especially for individuals with Bradley’s condition. Valentane appreciates the fixed schedules at Evolve MMA and states that “their class schedules allow greater flexibility for parents like myself to send Bradley for regular training.”
Parents training in martial arts classes alongside their kids
A common misconception is that martial arts is daunting and dangerous, but that’s not true. Not only is the sport safe, especially when conducted in a controlled class environment by seasoned professionals, but there is a long list of benefits that come with training. martial arts is a fun and healthy way to bully-proof your kids while building confidence, focus, and mental discipline.
Image credit: Evolve MMA
Evolve MMA’s Children Programme features top-notch professional classes from actual world champions. Skill levels are tailored specifically to your young ones, so mommies and daddies can rest assured that their kids are learning at a suitable pace.
BJJ Black Belt Kelvin Yeo, Bradley’s instructor, shared his approach of ensuring that kids in his class stay engaged through regular participation, as opposed to just listening to his instructions. He encourages active back and forth by asking the students questions, which in turn allows him to check on their understanding of techniques taught. What’s more, it also gives the kids an added sense of ownership of their time and the fact that they’ve participated in a fruitful class.
Like most sports, martial arts isn’t restricted to any specific age group. Other than Valentane, many parents have also been sending their children to Evolve for lessons. Tze Wei and Kelvin, parents of 2 sons, took it a step further by deciding to take a trial class themselves. This is because they wanted to be more involved in their kids’ classes, than just dropping them off.
Tze Wei and her family at a Jiu-Jitsu tournament.
Image credit: Chin Tze Wei
“We decided to learn a new skill,” shared Tze Wei regarding her journey in BJJ together with her husband. “The professors were so encouraging and supportive.” It then became a hobby the couple enjoyed, and now they “crave getting on the mats to roll.”
Tze Wei and Kelvin feel their bodies getting stronger and healthier since they started martial arts, mentioning how even their cholesterol levels have decreased.
“I feel that this is very good for preparing them emotionally for the challenges as they journey through life,” Tze Wei remarked about enrolling her kids into a sport like martial arts. “This sport is catered for every type of character. A strong kid will be humbled. A timid kid will build confidence, and a playful kid will learn self-control.”
Ian and Yanni attending Jiu-Jitsu classes.
Image credit: Timothy Ng
Meanwhile, Timothy, along with his 2 kids, Ian and Yanni, is another family trio that trains together in Evolve. When asked why he enrolled his children in Evolve MMA, Timothy mentioned the school’s “safe guidance and conducive training grounds.”
“After training with my kids in Evolve for the past 1.5 years, I’ve never seen anyone injured during their training,” he recounts.
Timothy also really appreciates Evolve’s “clean and hygienic training grounds that are cleaned after every session”, and the “in-house lockers and bathrooms” so that he and the kids can freshen up properly after their training. It truly is the complete package to make one’s experience with martial arts classes as smooth and positive as can be.
Consider Evolve MMA for your active kiddos
The Evolve MMA Children’s Programme offers Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes for 3 age groups: 4-6, 7-9, and 10-13. For those still considering or wanting to check if your little ones are interested, you can book an Evolve MMA introductory class before committing to full sessions. And yes, it’s completely free!
Image credit: Evolve MMA
All that’s left is to sign up, and you can start attending MMA classes at any of their 4 accessible locations islandwide: Far East Square, Orchard Central, KINEX, and Star Vista.
As one of countless kids who train under Evolve MMA, Bradley has gained plenty of benefits from martial arts training. Going from shy and reserved to building confidence and willingly interacting with peers, the journey with Evolve has helped him to develop a better understanding and relationship with himself – especially invaluable for those with ASD.
BJJ Black Belt Kelvin Yeo also advises potential enrollees and their parents to look beyond tangible results. While their technical skills are no doubt important, he shares that intangibles like “self-confidence, leadership and mentorship qualities, as well as resilience to stressful and comfortable situations” are invaluable benefits that kids can look forward to taking away when embarking on a martial arts journey.
Meanwhile, Evolve MMA’s Head of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Children’s Program, BJJ Black Belt Valdir Rodrigues, highlights that “martial arts is a great way to keep kids off screens while keeping them active both physically and mentally”. He also shares that it “helps improve their strength, balance, focus, and perseverance while also building the confidence to stand up for themselves in a positive way”.
From the testimonials of parents like Valentane, Timothy, Tze Wei, Kelvin, and many more, it’s clear that martial arts have made a meaningful impact on their children’s growth and development.
Evolve MMA is a safe space for all, and it’s never too early to equip your little ones with self-defence skills. And pssst, parents, it’s also never too late to sign up for a class yourself.
Learn more about the Evolve MMA Children’s Programme
This post was brought to you by Evolve MMA.
Cover image adapted from: Valentane Huang