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Home › Articles › Your Children › Karate KidsKarate Kids

Karate KidsKarate Kids

How Karate Has Helped My Twins

By Mindy Hudon, M.S., CCC-SLP

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Last September after receiving my first-degree black belt, I enrolled my 5-year-old fraternal twin boys in karate classes at Eclectic Karate in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts.

Prior to enrolling them in karate, they were receiving physical and occupational therapy for gross motor delays, sensory integration dysfunction and motor planning issues. At the time, they were attending therapy twice a week, which meant a lot of running around on my part. I knew that I would eventually start them in karate, but at that time therapy was the priority to ensure that they would have age-appropriate motor skills. As an adult student, I knew how karate had helped to build my mind, body and spirit, but I didn't realize how valuable it would be for my twins. When my twins had completed therapy, I realized that karate was more motivating and equally as beneficial as therapy and helped them to develop important life-skills.

Encouraging Differences
Unlike sports, there is no competition, and there are never any "bench-warmers" in karate. All children participate in karate no matter what their skill level. This is a very attractive feature, especially for twins. Society often compares one twin to the other by asking questions like, "Who's more outgoing?" Karate allows my twins to be individuals and to train at their own ability level. They develop skills at their own rate and are not compared to one another or any other student.

Each of my boys has different abilities that are recognized and encouraged in karate. My boys are physically opposite. One is very limber and flexible, but has limited upper body strength. The other twin is not very flexible, but is strong. In karate, they each shine in their own ability level. Flexibility allows for good stances and kicks while strength helps with punches and form. I often hear them sharing their expertise, "Hold your leg up like this and kick."

Developmental Help
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