Friendship is a very important but often forgotten skill, it was also the word of the week

Friendship is very important for the development of children. In martial arts everyone works together to achieve their own personal goals. For children, a major goal is friendship, making a friend is a big win to a child and at MAC we know this, this is why helping others and how to be friendly are two important lessons taught alongside many others.

In poverty and other misfortunes of life, true friends are a sure refuge. They keep the young out of mischief; they comfort and aid the old in their weakness, and they incite those in the prime of life to noble deeds

Aristotle

This quote by the famous philosopher tells just a few benefits of friendship. Children who make friends with children similar to them are more likely to have a happier and less troublesome childhood. No matter what troubles them they always have a friend to talk to and comfort them. Friendships are essential for well-being of people no matter what age they are.

How many children come home and tell their parents they have made a new friend, in fact it’s often one of the first things that they say. So proud that they have a new friend that likes things they do.

Friendship is a skill which many don’t realise can be improved. Learning how to make a friend is a HUGE accomplishment for young children.

Respect is a huge part of friendship, not only respect of the other person but also of their belongings. Martial arts is primarily about respect and is taught in every class at MAC. This gives children the foundation to help them make many friends both at MAC and elsewhere, and helping them build the life skills that they need for a successful future.

No one likes feeling down or feeling not liked. Without a friend it can feel like the loneliest place in the world and it can affect a young mind easier still. Encouraging friendship at that age can help prevent them ever experiencing that terrible feeling. At MAC it is encouraged for all children to be friendly to each other and something as simple as one child saying ‘great job’ or something similar can be a enormous boost to another child’s confidence in talking to new people and eventually friendship.

As an adult, gaining friends is often a skill overlooked as something that just happens. However, friendships take work and some effort sometimes, and to gain a friend is to gain benefits from friendship.

Friends have a huge impact on not only your mental health but also your physical health, studies have shown that if a friend regularly has a healthy diet or activity such as martial arts, then you too are more likely to lead a healthier life.

Much like a child finding a friend at school, when an adult finds a friend in an activity or work they are much more likely to feel engaged in the activity or work, as is the child in school work and learning.

An easier way to build friendships for both children and adults is to share an interest. The contact and helping each other while training at MAC provides a perfect place for friendships to start and grow.