What can you do to make sure your child doesn't get bullied at school? Find out about "bully proof courses" in your area! Bullying is a major issue for all school children and parents these days and it seems schools or government initiatives are relatively ineffective in dealing with this problem. So it's back to us parents to sort it out - fine. I've recently come across so called "bully proof" courses which a number of martial arts disciplines offer. The courses are based on standard entry level martial arts classes but offer a few elements of how to deal with being bullied specifically.

After attending a number of karate classes I think enrolling your child in a martial arts course will address various aspects at play when it comes to bullying at school.

1) Physical threats - at martial arts classes children learn to deal with aggression from someone else. They learn to manage that ideally in a non-physical and non-aggressive way through sheer confidence and assertiveness. However if need be they also learn the skills to defend themselves adequately. I really like the emphasis of all martial arts disciplines on responding to aggression from others (not promotion aggression towards others as a way of combating bullying).

2) Emotional and online threats - these days bullying doesn't just happen at school - it happens online, through texting and various other non-physical methods. I have observed that through martial arts training students get a lot more confident and assertive in their behavior (in general). The training tends to build self-esteem and independence. As result it is easier for children to "shrug off" any insults or nastiness knowing that bullies are just trying to overcome their own weaknesses through aggression towards others.

So check your local martial arts school for bully proof classes and try them out with your kids! Kids can start as young as 5 years with martial arts classes. Many schools offer "little ninja" courses for young children aged 5 (or even aged 4) and up. If you know of any classes in your area please send in the details so we can publish them on DIYFather.com.