One of the most important things we can do for the next generation is set them up for success through instilling confidence, self-awareness and resilience.
Martial arts is a great way to build those qualities, along with focus, strength and discipline, teaching them things that go far beyond the academy walls.
From building cardio and technical skills to developing spatial awareness and social skills, martial arts helps put your kids in unique (and safe) situations that make them dig deep and discover strength they didn’t know they had.
Beyond technique: mat chats
One of the most important parts of our kids martial arts program in both BJJ and Muay Thai is taking the time to step back and connect with the kids.
As we teach them to use their bodies to defend themselves, we also want them to learn how to understand their emotions and use their words skillfully. We emphasize that while it’s great to know how to protect ourselves, ideally we always want to use words first to diffuse a situation.
At Easton, we create space for these sorts of discussions through dedicated mat chats at the start of each class. We use these opportunities to talk about things like hygiene, ownership, honesty and of course, our favorite acronym, F.R.E.D. – focus, respect, energy and discipline.
By putting these important topics into a digestible format, kids come away with a bigger picture view and context for all the technical skills they’re learning.
[The Sound of Team Spirit: Easton Kids Coach, Emma Sojo]
How martial arts helps kids at home
As much as we may want to, it can be nearly impossible for parents to give children everything they need at all times. We want to instill good values and teach our kids to discern right from wrong, but many external factors will shape their perception.
This becomes especially true when children go to school and experience society solo for the first time. Kids quickly learn from each other how to behave, what gets attention, and what’s considered “cool” (don’t be a baby).
Despite our efforts to make kids feel special and valued, negative experiences with peers can undermine those efforts. Feelings of not being enough can lead to acting out in class, skipping assignments, or developing a defensive attitude.
Can we blame them? Often, in bullying situations, children haven’t yet formed a strong sense of self or learned how to articulate their feelings.
While traumatic experiences like bullying can fragment the sense of self, movement-based activities like martial arts help reintegrate body and mind. As martial arts helps connect them to their bodies and build confidence, it leads to all-around improvement both at home and at school.
Physical touch reassures kids that they are safe, while martial arts teaches awareness of boundaries—where they end and another person begins. The strength they find in their own bodies becomes a powerful force field.
Beyond self-defense, martial arts instills values that transcend schoolyard drama. Kids learn respect, discipline, and how to be a good partner. In a martial arts setting, it’s “cool” to help others, make new kids feel welcome, and be someone’s favorite training partner.
As kids improve their self-image, their confidence blooms. They become clear on the standards they measure themselves against, carrying this self-assurance into all aspects of life. The discipline they develop helps them stay on top of homework, chores, and responsibilities while managing emotional responses more effectively. They’ll know how to handle bullying situations and when to involve an adult.
Martial arts isn’t a bandaid—it’s a lifelong journey. While it won’t “fix” everything, it equips kids with tools to navigate life more confidently. Feeling safe in the world starts with feeling safe in your own body.
Ranking systems for kids
Jiu Jitsu: the IBJJF belt system for kids
While the adult belt system is fairly straightforward, adults often have questions about the kids belt system as they start enrolling their children in BJJ programs.
Easton Training Center follows the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) belt system. The IBJJF is a nationally recognized governing body of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu that hosts many of the biggest Jiu Jitsu competitions in the world.
Their standardized kids belt system goes through ages four to 15. All students start at white and then move through the colors gray, yellow, orange, and green. Each color has 3 belt divisions: color-white, solid color, and color-black.
Every belt receives stripes as you work toward the next color. A new stripe gets considered once a student has completed at least eight classes, and it’s been at least a month since their last promotion.
Many factors go into the decision to promote – including focus, discipline, respect, and performance at school and home. Earning stripes ultimately comes down to the decision of your coach or professor, and they can delay it if needed.
For a full breakdown of what each belt means, read this article!
Muay Thai: Kids belt ranking system
While Muay Thai does not have one standardized belt or ranking system, over the last decade, the coaches at Easton Training Center have developed and implemented our Tigers Muay Thai ranking system. This allows for both students and instructors to recognize progress and competency in the art, and have tangible markers or milestones.
Holding the same weight and mirroring the same timelines as the internationally recognized IBJJF ranking system used in our Kids BJJ programs, our belt system is rigorous, demanding and requires time and effort to progress through.
Progress is not linear. The Tigers Muay Thai belt system requires technical knowledge, self-control and verifiable competency for one to progress.
At Easton Training Center, our goal is to ensure that every student has a clear understanding of their potential trajectory, and that we are providing goals and benchmarks for them to aspire to. We want every student to achieve a black-shirt in Muay Thai and a Black Belt in BJJ, and to be recognized and rewarded for their effort and commitment along the way!
In the world of Tigers Muay Thai, reaching the next rank is not just about clocking in hours, but a holistic assessment of a student’s dedication and skills. Our instructors follow a well-defined set of criteria when considering promotions, ensuring that every student’s journey through the ranks is a true testament to their commitment and ability.
Read more about each stage of progress here!
What about when kids don’t want to train?
It’s frustrating when your child resists doing something you know is good for them. Whether it’s eating vegetables or attending practice, kids often push back not because they don’t enjoy the activity but because they crave independence. When rebellion strikes, it’s time to regroup and get creative.
Before we push or punish, one of the most important things we can do begins with validating their feelings. Kids, like adults, want to feel heard. If they resist, listen to their concerns without dismissing them. Maybe there’s someone in class they’re uncomfortable with or they’re feeling overwhelmed. Acknowledging their emotions can help you work together as a team rather than creating opposition.
Try reflecting on positive memories: remind your child of a time they resisted something but ended up loving it. Discomfort often feels bigger in the moment than the activity itself. Highlighting past successes can help shift their perspective and encourage them to give it a try.
Reinforce why they started. Did they want to compete, gain strength, or face challenges with confidence? Remind them that showing up, especially on hard days, builds the mental toughness they’ll need for competition and beyond.
Give them a sense of autonomy. Let them make small choices, like picking a family activity after practice or choosing which discipline to focus on if they’re enrolled in multiple. Feeling empowered can soften resistance and encourage cooperation.
If you train too, let them see your excitement. Share what you’ve learned and invite them to practice with you. Your enthusiasm may reignite their interest, showing them the joy that martial arts can bring beyond the structure of class.
Sometimes, the best approach is to take a step back. Reflect on your motivations and whether you’re projecting your own desires onto your child. If they’ve enjoyed the activity before, trust they’ll return to it when they’re ready.
Ultimately, the goal is to foster a positive relationship with the sport. Encourage structure and responsibility without pushing them so hard that they lose their love for the activity—or worse, feel resentment.
[What To Do When Your Little Tiger Has a Bad Tournament]
Competition
Aside from daily class, one of the most important ways you can supplement your kids’ martial arts experience is encouraging them to compete. Competition can teach them to get outside of their comfort zones while prioritizing input and effort over outcomes. It also allows for a level of camaraderie with their peers in a different way than class does.
If you’ve been to an Easton academy lately, you’ve probably seen the competition calendar for local and national tournaments. There are plenty of opportunities for students to compete this year, and we want to see a big turnout, especially for the local events.
Competing teaches discipline. Your child’s training will be more focused and intentional, helping them achieve their goals. It shows them the value of goal-setting, consistency, and hard work, lessons that carry over into all areas of life. Competitions also teach sportsmanship. Losing is part of the game, but learning to handle defeat with grace and use it as motivation for growth is an invaluable skill.
Even if your child doesn’t win, the experience will boost their confidence and inspire them to push themselves further, both in practice and in life. It strengthens not only their skills but also the bonds within the team as they work together toward common goals.
While it’s natural to feel nervous about sending your child into a tournament, it’s important to let them experience this moment of growth. Martial arts builds confidence by showing kids that they can rely on their skills in stressful situations. How will they know what they’re capable of unless they face that challenge?
If your child is hesitant about competing, remember that all competitors need to be approved by our coaches for safety and readiness. We strive to create a secure environment, though we can’t guarantee 100% safety in any competition. Trust that we will be there to guide and support them every step of the way.
[BJJ In-House Tournament: Kids Inspired and Leveling Up]
Competition for kids in Jiu Jitsu
We encourage competition at any age at Easton, and we have some very unique opportunities for the kids in our youth programs. We don’t just help you get ready at the class level; we have a special competition class your child can join to get the best competition-specific instruction and training.
Most (if not all) BJJ tournaments that we attend, or encourage you to attend if we don’t go as a team, will follow the standard IBJJF regulations. This makes training for competition a bit easier as your child will have an understanding of the rule set and scoring system, and know how to apply their unique skills to those particular situations.
To make competition life easier for kids (and parents), we’ve created an annual BJJ competition program that breaks the year into seasons. Each season has a set of tournaments we attend as a team, and for each tournament, your Tiger has the chance to earn a special, one-of-a-kind patch!
Tigers earn patches based on participation and effort, and the more divisions they participate in, the more patches they can earn. In line with our promotion ceremonies, seasonal patches will be awarded in our classes throughout the season. As your coach for more info!
Travel season for kids
The deeper into competition kids get, they may choose to join us on some of our longer-distance tournaments. One of the most notable, and exciting, that we do each year is our annual trip to the IBJJF’s Kids Pans event in Florida!
The IBJJF is the world leader in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments, hosting the most prestigious global events. Every year, Team Easton makes the pilgrimage to test our skills against many of the world’s most talented and dedicated youth Jiu-Jitsu competitors! It is a unique three-day event of camaraderie, family, and competition.
For these events, we make registration and attendance as easy as possible: we give you all the dates in advance, lay out the recommended travel, flights and lodgings (so we can all go and stay together!) and provide the schedule ahead of time.
These events aren’t just about testing skills on the mats — they’re about creating lasting memories. Traveling together fosters a sense of community and team spirit that’s difficult to replicate in a regular class environment. Whether it’s sharing meals, cheering each other on, or simply exploring a new place, these moments help kids build confidence, resilience, and lifelong friendships.
[Team Easton Takes on Kids Pans 2023 With Flying Colors]
All-academy teen randoris
In addition to advanced competition opportunities, Easton hosts all-academy randoris for teens. Designed for students ages 13–17, this free gathering is a unique, low-pressure event where teens from all eight Easton schools can come together, connect, and improve their skills.
Why attend? First, it’s an opportunity to be part of something big. With dozens of students invited, this event unites Colorado’s largest group of teen Jiu Jitsu practitioners in one place. It’s a chance to train, spar, and learn from peers outside of their usual training circles!
Second, it’s about camaraderie and fun. More than just a training session, the Teen Randori is an opportunity to build friendships, share laughs, and bond over a shared passion for Jiu Jitsu.
Whether your teen wants to sharpen their skills, learn from others, or simply enjoy an active and engaging afternoon, this event delivers!
Muay Thai competition for kids
At Easton, we strive to make Kids Muay Thai competition a safe, positive, and rewarding experience. Unlike Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which allows children to compete as white belts, Muay Thai requires a more deliberate and structured approach to ensure safety and proper development.
Traditionally, Muay Thai competition includes techniques like strikes and knees, which can feel intimidating for beginners, especially with head contact. To address this, Easton has embraced a class system implemented by the US Muay Thai Federation (USMF). This system starts with E class, an educational level where no winners or losers are declared, and kids wear protective gear, including headgear and body shields. These bouts help kids develop their technique and confidence without the pressure of head contact.
After completing three to five E-class bouts, students move to D class, where winners are determined, but the rules remain focused on safety. This gradual process ensures children build skills and confidence before advancing to the more competitive C class, where head contact is introduced.
Our goal is to provide opportunities that not only build confidence and self-defense skills but also pave the way for potential Olympic-level competition. At Easton, we’re committed to creating a safe and supportive environment where young athletes can thrive and grow in the art of Muay Thai.
Want to learn more about Muay Thai competition for kids? Read the full article!
All-academy sparring sessions
We also offer events for Muay Thai kids to come together with peers from all of our academies and practice their sparring skills in an exciting, safe and fun environment. Easton’s Tigers Muay Thai program made history in June 2024 when we held our first All-Academy sparring day at Easton Training Center Boulder.
Led by Easton Kids Muay Thai Program Director, Matt Bloss, and a host of coaches from all the Easton academies, the session was a blast for everyone. We’ll be putting on these sparring sessions multiple times a year moving forward.
These sparring sessions are a great way for kids to both test their skills and also foster a sense of unity and camaraderie across our academies. Kids get the chance to meet new training partners, challenge themselves in a controlled environment, and gain valuable experience that will help them grow as martial artists.
Whether they’re beginners or more advanced, everyone leaves feeling more confident and connected to the Easton Muay Thai community.
Overcoming competition anxiety
It’s normal for kids to feel nervous before a big event, like a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu match. As a parent, it can be tough to watch, but there are ways to help them manage their anxiety.
First, remind them to focus on the experience, not just the outcome. Winning is fun, but what matters most is participating and doing their best. Let them know that losing doesn’t make them a loser—it’s just part of the process, and they can learn from it.
Next, let them know that everyone gets nervous. Share a time when you felt nervous, too, to show them it’s normal. Even professional athletes like Steph Curry and Abby Wambach feel anxious before games, so they’re not alone in how they feel.
Finally, try a simple breathing exercise to help calm their nerves. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, and exhale for 8. Doing this a few times can help them focus and feel more relaxed.
Most importantly, be supportive. Remind them how awesome they are for even competing, and cheer them on with pride, no matter the outcome.
