@Baddreamer27 Children do not learn discipline from doing martial arts. As my master instructor says: “Children who like what we do here and want to continue on with it may become disciplined, as that is an integral part of studying martial arts and a prerequisite for advancement. But I cannot teach them how to be disciplined.” Without parental support, no teacher can, with only a few hours a week, change a child’s disposition. One needs more time and more authority to do such a thing.
Most children don’t learn much in the way of actual martial arts until they are teenagers, either. They’re getting exercise, learning some very basic techniques, and forming an excellent groundwork for future study. If they are interested, they will learn restraint. That is something that can be practiced. But if they are not interested, they won’t be allowed in the class long enough to learn it.
This is not to discourage you from enrolling your child in a martial arts class, but only to help you have realistic expectations. There is a nine year old who studies the same style as I do, and he is very focused. He’s one of the only youth students who has advanced more than once in the ranks. But this is a feature of his personal disposition, and not something he was taught in class. Doing martial arts has made him more disciplined, but no one has taught him discipline.
I realize this might seem like I am splitting hairs, and I do not mean to be disagreeing with @Taciturnu. But I have seen a few parents become disgruntled over how exactly discipline emerges out of practicing martial arts.