Jiu Jitsu is a martial art originating in India around 2,000 BC based on the values of the Buddhist system of acting in a non-harmful way, showing respect, persistence, discipline and the pursuit of self-mastery. However, it was in Japan that it flourished and became a style of combat. It was only in 1914 that Jiu Jitsu arrived in Brazil and was increasing in popularity, being nowadays known all over the world.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a self-defence martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting and submissions. It revolves around the concept that a feeble individual can successfully defend themselves against another person by using leverage and weight distribution.
How can Jiu Jitsu Support Children’s Development?
Like most sports, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (or BJJ) can bring benefits such as improving your health, weight management, body strength, endurance and core stability. However, apart from those obvious physical benefits, it can also assist with other areas of children’s development.
Emotional Regulation
Children with emotional regulation difficulties related to anger management, controlling their own emotions or even identifying when they are escalating can find at jiu jitsu a place to improve and develop self-control. Jiu jitsu gives the opportunity to experience challenging and even stressful situations where you are expected to remain calm. One of the axioms of this martial art is learning to feel comfortable in uncomfortable situations. So, children might get a bit stressed or panic for a short time until they realize that they need to keep calm in order to escape from that difficult position. Slowly the kids learn to reproduce this knowledge to other aspects of their lives, and instead of triggering a fight or flight response, they will keep calm and find a way to solve their frustration.
In short, kids learn to keep their minds cool in fiery situations, but in a dynamic and playful environment.
Motor Coordination
Children with motor coordination difficulties might find it difficult to memorize and learn new movements. However, because jiu jitsu is a very kinaesthetic sport that promotes a lot of proprioception and vestibular input, the kids feel the movement in their bodies rather than memorizing it in their brains. Therefore, children with developmental coordination disorder or dyspraxia can greatly benefit from this martial art not just in terms of gross motor skills, strength and body awareness, but also to boost their confidence by showing that they are able to do those challenging exercises.
Social Skills
Jiu Jitsu gyms are very friendly and family orientated environments. It is not rare you will encounter entire families that train jiu-jitsu (mum, dad, and all the kids!). This is due to jiu jitsu promoting and supporting the bond between peers. From day one, children who learn jiu jitsu are aware it is fun if you have other people to do it with! Otherwise, it’s very difficult to practice by yourself. So, you learn to take care of your training partners and do so in a safe environment, you will always have others to train with. Thus, everyone is well-valued and respected on the mats. For those little ones that struggle to make connections, the mat can feel like a safe space where their presence is valued.
In addition, the techniques taught at jiu jitsu require a lot of physical contact and proximity, so it works as an ice breaker for those who find it difficult to get closer to others, and that without the need to say anything. You don’t have to be great at conversations or even verbal to be able to train and connect while doing jiu jitsu, it’s that inclusive!
Sensory Processing
Jiu jitsu promotes several sources of sensory input such as pushing and pulling, crashing, pressure, rolling, etc. It works on proprioception, vestibular and tactile input in a fun and involving environment. The discipline of going once or twice a week provides the consistency of sensory input that children with sensory needs require, being one of the most important sensory experiences of your child’s week.
Confidence and Self-esteem
Jiu jitsu provides opportunities for kids who experience adversities and overcome them in a playful and fun environment, thus promoting growth mindset principles, making them stronger and faster. Jiu jitsu abilities are not related to strength or size, it is not based on how you look or how social you are. it’s related to never giving up. Black belts often say that the difference between a black belt and a white belt is that black belts are white belts that never gave up. The learning never ends, to get better you just need to keep attending, developing discipline and persistence. Within time those children start to use all those principles in their lives outside the mat becoming gradually more confident within themselves.
If you have any questions about how Jiu Jitsu can support your child, please contact us on hello@occupationaltherapy.com.au or call on 02 9913 3823.
