Boxing for Kids: Enhancing Emotional Regulation After School

As parents we know that after a long day at school, kids often need a positive way to release their pent-up energy and emotions.

Our kids' boxing program at Geelong Boxing Club has been developed by a former school teacher and advocate for child and adolescent mental health, who values building confidence and resilience in kids. This background ensures that the program is not only physically beneficial but also supportive of mental and emotional well-being.

Incorporating boxing into a child's after-school routine can offer a holistic approach to emotional regulation and support. By providing a safe space for physical activity and emotional release, boxing can help kids unwind, manage their emotions, and develop essential life skills.

The combination of physical activity, mindfulness, and emotional regulation in boxing programs can contribute significantly to a child's overall well-being and academic capacity.

Boxing for kids is not just a great physical activity but also a powerful tool for emotional regulation and support. Research shows that mindfulness-based interventions, including physical activities like boxing, can significantly boost cognitive performance and stress resilience in children and teens (Zenner et al., 2014).

For example, a child who struggles with focus and concentration in class might find that the structured environment of a boxing session helps them channel their energy in a productive way. The repetitive nature of boxing drills can also improve their ability to concentrate and stay on task.

Another example involves emotion regulation. Programs focusing on emotion regulation can enhance learning engagement and relationships with peers and teachers (Neve et al., 2022). A child who experiences frequent frustration or anger might benefit from the cathartic release that boxing provides, leading to improved relaxation, self-assuredness, and stress management (Song & Kim, 2022). After a session, they might feel calmer and more in control of their emotions, making it easier to interact positively with others.

Additionally, integrating mindfulness practices in boxing can help children improve their focus, manage stress better, and approach challenges with calmness and confidence (Ayuso et al., 2022). For instance, incorporating breathing exercises or mindfulness moments into a boxing group session can teach a child to stay present and composed, even in stressful situations.

Our kids boxing sessions run on Tuesday afternoons (due to high demand we will be offering Thursdays from Term 3 onwards too)

For more information about our kids group sessions send us a DM or email [email protected]

Sessions are currently $10 and there are sessions for 5-8 year olds and 9-12 year olds included in our kids programming.




References:

Ayuso, D., Espinosa-García, B., Gómez-Marín, E., Gómez-Jara, N., Cuevas-Delgado, C., Álvarez-Benítez, I., … & Triviño-Juárez, J. (2022). A pilot study of improving self-regulation and social interaction with peers: an “exciting school”. Children, 9(6), 829.

Neve, D., Bronstein, M., Leroy, A., Truyts, A., & Everaert, J. (2022). Emotion regulation in the classroom: a network approach to model relations among emotion regulation difficulties, engagement to learn, and relationships with peers and teachers. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 52(2), 273-286.

Song, Y. and Kim, S. (2022). Effects of a social and emotional competence enhancement program for adolescents who bully: a quasi-experimental design. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(12), 7339.

Zenner, C., Herrnleben-Kurz, S., & Walach, H. (2014). Mindfulness-based interventions in schools—a systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Psychology, 5.