Quote from: fonkaygarryCapoeira would be a lot of fun for a little kid: loads of dancing and spinning and movement.

Something like judo might have a lot of use later in life, should she get interested enough to make her study lifelong.

I agree with these two and for the reasons given.  If there's one thing that Judo teaches you, it's how to fall over without hurting yourself and every five year-old would find this useful

Another advantage of capoeira is that it's difficult to hurt someone with it

However, the most important thing is being able to trust the instructor

Quote from: James McMurrayI expect to interview quite a few senseis and then spend some time watching them teach kids before I pick anyone.

This is the best advice - watch a class at a place and consider if your kid would fit in and if you'd be comfortable with it.

Quote from: droogI'm leaning towards Thai kickboxing or pentjak silat, for cultural reasons. My wife likes capoeira. Feel free to criticise these choices.

Honestly, I'd consider Goju-Ryu Karate, though this particular Ryu is far harder to find instructors for than the more contemporary martial arts erroneously promoted as Karate (such as Kenpo, which is not a recognized Okinawan Karate Ryu).

The one possible downside of Goju-Ryu Karate is that its instructors are typically not unlike Chiun from the Remo Williams novels in that they demand nothing less than 100% commitment. . .

I recall being denied a belt test, as my family was going on vacation at the time that my I was deemed 'ready' for said test. I was given a choice -- either present myself for testing, or go on vacation and be denied my test for another year.

I was 11 or 12 at the time. I had to wait a year to be tested for my brown belt.

James, I'm an actual, honest-to-god martial arts teacher, so I hope I know a little bit about dedication to the art ... and those people sound like jerks to me.  "Vacation means no brown belt for you" indeed.  How about "Cool!  Send us a post-card.  We'll test when you get back."  Sheesh :rolleyes:

I'd fall back on previous advice:  There are lots and lots of solid martial arts styles out there.  It's hard to go wrong on that score.  Go find a teacher you like and trust.  For me, anyone who penalizes a student for having a life outside the dojo wouldn't fit that bill.  YMMV.

Quote from: TonyLBJames, I'm an actual, honest-to-god martial arts teacher, so I hope I know a little bit about dedication to the art ... and those people sound like jerks to me.  "Vacation means no brown belt for you" indeed.  How about "Cool!  Send us a post-card.  We'll test when you get back."  Sheesh :rolleyes:

To be honest, I would have rather gone for the belt test. Family vacations were the thing I would have rather avoided

No worries, guys. Thanks for the advice. We're now leaning towards capoeira, especially since there's a couple of places near her new school. I'll be sure to check them out thoroughly as advised.

Quote from: TonyLBI'd fall back on previous advice:  There are lots and lots of solid martial arts styles out there.  It's hard to go wrong on that score.  Go find a teacher you like and trust.

Yes, yes, yes, yes.  It's just like gaming - If the GM rocks and the group rocks, the system doesn't matter

I've always been a fan of the oldest of martial arts...running.

Quote from: GunslingerI've always been a fan of the oldest of martial arts...running.

Now now, Gunslinger... can't outrun a bullet and all that!










But you can Kung Fu that bullet into submission.

Late to the thread, but here goes:

At the little kid level, martial arts adds up mainly to exercise and discipline.  A couple of hours a week on the mats for little kids isn't going to turn them into something dangerous, and it's likely to make them more comfortable with conflict while teaching a little self control.

Attitude makes the killer.

Quote from: Divine HammerAttitude makes the killer.

Well, she does keep talking about cutting peoples' heads off....

Quote from: droogWell, she does keep talking about cutting peoples' heads off....

Um, keep her away from weapons forms, then.

I used to do a lot of (organized) fighting.  I did boxing and kickboxing at a local, competitive level, and I got any full-contact work I could.  I loved the contact and competition, and I genuinely enjoyed laying leather into an opponent, even if he was a good friend.

Later, I picked up some grappling styles and started doing mixed-art work.  That was fun, too, even if there wasn't as much pure hitting going on.

Now, I'm comparatively out of practice, older, and slower.  But I'm more dangerous in a real fight, because I don't fight for sport now.  My mental conditioning is about incapacitating someone.  I set aside a little time each day to keep a little bit of aggression burning in case I need it.

A few moves and some sparring will be good for your daughter.  If she really seems to be conditioning herself to kill, something a little weirder is going on.  I wouldn't get my daughter going that way until she's about 11.

Quote from: Divine HammerIf she really seems to be conditioning herself to kill, something a little weirder is going on.

It's just 5-year-old stuff. I'm not worried....yet....