In many activity-based programmes, including some martial arts clubs, instant reward systems are deeply embedded: games, point scoring, competition based, frequent belt changes, stripes, medals, points, high-fives, and praise for minimal effort or mere participation. When those rewards slow down or disappear, motivation often collapses. This is one of the reasons many children quit activities quickly—they have been trained to expect constant attention, enjoyment and reward rather than to value effort, discipline, and perseverance.

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'Modern' competition-driven environments can elevate dopamine levels but also increase the emotional cost of failure, often leading to disappointment, anxiety, or self-doubt. When a person hopes to win but loses, their dopamine levels can drop significantly, which is sometimes referred to as a ‘reward prediction error’ which the brain can process similar to real life trauma or disappointment. In other words it can create a negative effect and, in children this may manifest as tantrums, withdraw or even aggressive behaviour.

By contrast, our family-based classes focus on long-term growth, shared experience, and personal responsibility. Progress is earned, not given, and achievement is measured by character as much as by technique.