Good age to start

[podnah]

I saw in the photo section a picture of Alan with his "youngest student," and it got me wondering what's usually a good age for children to start with the speed bag. I know a lot of music teachers think it's usually around 8 years old for piano - is it similar for bagging?

[jojojunfan]

Not sure. i think it would depend on the individual child. My daughter is twelve and is learning, and getting pretty good. I dont know if she would have had the patience earlier in life. I would say if they think its fun and not " work " they will do it.

[Speedbag]

I saw in the photo section a picture of Alan with his "youngest student," and it got me wondering what's usually a good age for children to start with the speed bag. I know a lot of music teachers think it's usually around 8 years old for piano - is it similar for bagging?

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say "at 26 weeks". Some research shows the the unborn can hear sounds
and react to rhythm by 26 weeks.

Here are some links...

Music and the unborn

The Maternal Womb: The first music school for the Baby

Music for Babies in the Womb.

There is no definitive, absolute truth in these articles, but perhaps the repetitive beat of the speed bag's triplet rhythm could be imprinted on the unborn child and establish a life long love of rhythm and the speed bag, AND the exercise would be great for the expectant mother doing it.

Having taught and helped with many martial arts classes years ago, I came to understood my Masters belief that most kids 5 and under are not quite ready for principaled or structured activities that require focused repetitive activity. Basically they want to play, and if you can keep it light and "fun" they will do it - but don't expect too much, for they are easily distracted.

With my own grand kids, as very young kids they were more interested in getting attention and being watched hitting the bag, much more than learning any skills. That's OK. It was fun. Hopefully that established their basic enjoyment of the activity and a desire to continue when they are older. For them right now, hitting the speed bag with grandpa isn't as cool as beating him at XBox and Wii games.

[Allentown]

My 22 month son did it for a few minutes. He likes to smack the bag and watch it bounce off the platform

[Speedbag]

My 22 month son did it for a few minutes. He likes to smack the bag and watch it bounce off the platform

and no doubt so do you!

[Allentown]

Yes I do

[Tim]

I saw in the photo section a picture of Alan with his "youngest student," and it got me wondering what's usually a good age for children to start with the speed bag. I know a lot of music teachers think it's usually around 8 years old for piano - is it similar for bagging?

I think any age they care to hit it. I have 2 boys - ages 7 and 10. They are only mildly interested in the bag. They can do a few things on it, but they aren't likely to spend more than 2 minutes at a time hitting it. As such there really isn't any bad side effects or over use.

I'm the opposite... 2 minutes of hitting the bag turns into 2 hours...