The recent bullying incident at Sengkang Green Primary School in Singapore, where a Primary 3 student was persistently targeted for nearly six months and her mother later received chilling death threats, has cast a spotlight on the urgent need for proactive tools like martial arts for kids to support children’s well-being.
A Timeline Of Escalating Bullying
The Ministry of Education’s timeline reveals that the affected pupil had reported repeated bullying from classmates over several months. The situation escalated dramatically when the student’s mother began receiving threatening messages; one voice chillingly threatened, “dissect her… end her life in school,” leading to police involvement and the immediate suspension of three Primary 3 boys. The school instituted a safety plan and disciplinary measures, including the possibility of caning.
Why Disciplinary Measures Alone Aren’t Enough
Singapore’s response combined disciplinary action with restorative and safety-focused measures. However, traditional methods like suspension and caning, while sometimes used, may not address the deeper emotional aspects of bullying or give children the skills to prevent and cope with it effectively.
How Martial Arts Complements School Discipline
That being said, parents should consider alternatives that address the root of bullying, whether a child is on the receiving end or displaying bullying behavior. Martial arts is one of the most effective tools to complement school discipline, and some of the benefits include:
1) Building Self-Confidence And Presence
Martial arts build confidence and self-esteem, helping children carry themselves with conviction and stand strong against challenges.
Martial arts cultivate a poised and confident bearing; children learn to walk, speak, and even breathe with conviction, making them less likely to appear as easy targets. They internalize goal-setting (e.g., belt progression), which builds self-esteem and the courage to stand firm.
2) Instilling Discipline, Empathy & Respect
Martial arts instill discipline and respect, fostering empathy that helps prevent bullying in and out of the classroom.
Training emphasizes punctuality, respect for instructors and peers, and adherence to dojo rules. These values often transfer to classrooms and homes, fostering empathy and discouraging bullying behaviors in both victims and perpetrators.
3) Enhancing Social Skills & Support Networks
Martial arts partner drills and group activities build social confidence, friendships, and support networks that help protect kids from bullying.
Through partner drills and group activities, children boost social confidence, make friends, and develop a support system. A child with a strong peer network is statistically less likely to be bullied.
4) Sharpening Focus & Emotional Control
Martial arts sharpen focus and emotional control, teaching kids to stay calm and respond thoughtfully under pressure.
Martial arts training demands concentration and disciplined focus on technique, an exercise that doubles as a meditative practice. Children gain better emotional regulation, enabling them to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively in high-stress situations.
5) Preparing for De-Escalation, Not Conflict
Martial arts teach kids non-violent conflict resolution, using calm assertiveness and body language to defuse situations.
Contrary to stereotypes, martial arts teach children to avoid conflict escalation. They learn to rely on body language, calm assertiveness, and non-violent conflict resolution, skills that are especially valuable in navigating delicate peer dynamics or retaliatory situations.
Why Martial Arts Is More Than Just Self-Defense
The Sengkang Green case shows the need for early interventions, and martial arts fills this gap by building kids’ confidence, respect, and resilience to prevent bullying before it escalates.
Linking back to the Sengkang Green case: while the school has proactively disciplined the bullies, the absence of earlier interventions highlights a gap. Children, both those targeted and the aggressors, need tools that go beyond punishment. Martial arts provides that foundation by fostering internal strength, respect, and emotional maturity. This equips kids to better handle threats, seek help, and support peers before conflicts escalate into bullying or trauma.
Bullyproof Your Child Today!
The Sengkang Green incident underscores the power of early intervention and emotional support. When combined with school discipline, martial arts can transform how children manage fear, conflict, and peer pressure. It’s not about fighting back; it’s about standing stronger, thinking clearly, and building a community where every child feels safe, respected, and resilient.
At Evolve MMA, we believe no child should have to face bullying alone. Our Children’s program is designed to build confidence, resilience, and respect, equipping children with the life skills they need to stand tall in and out of school. Give your child the chance to experience these benefits firsthand with a complimentary trial class at Evolve MMA. Sign up today and help your child grow stronger, safer, and more confident for the future!
Book your complimentary trial class with our World Champions below!
If you have any other questions regarding Evolve MMA and the programs we offer, you can get in touch with our membership executives at the following locations:
Evolve MMA (Orchard Central)
181 Orchard Road
#06-01 Orchard Central
Singapore 238896
Phone: (65) 6536 4556
Evolve MMA (KINEX)
11 Tanjong Katong Road
#02-52 KINEX
Singapore 437157
Phone: (65) 6288 2293
Evolve MMA (Star Vista)
1 Vista Exchange Green
#02-26A The Star Vista
Singapore 138617
Phone: (65) 6539 9590
Finding the right after-school activity for your child is more important than ever in a fast-paced city like Singapore. With growing academic demands and screen time at an all-time high, more parents are looking for…
Kids today face much more peer pressure than their parents did because of the internet and social media. Once upon a time, restricting the outside influences on your child was as simple as limiting which…
Bullying often brings out all sorts of negative emotions in children, and parents usually don’t know how to start the conversation. Children tend to be hesitant to admit they’re getting bullied because it often makes…
You’ve probably heard that martial arts training builds character, discipline, and confidence, but did you know it can also help children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) manage their symptoms? In a fast-paced, academically driven place like…
Nowadays, it’s common for teenagers to spend hours each day on electronic devices like smartphones, tablets, TVs, and gaming consoles. Most of them spend way more time staring at screens than they do on their…
Your child might be getting bullied if their lunch money often ends up missing, their clothes are torn, or they’re starting to come up with creative lists of excuses to skip school. Bullying is never…
Fitness in Singapore has always been shaped by the demands of a busy lifestyle. For many, working late hours or managing family commitments means that mornings and afternoons are rarely free for exercise. Over the…
Boxing fans around the world are buzzing about the long-awaited mega showdown between Terence Crawford and Canelo Álvarez. In the landscape of the pugilists and combat sports, few matchups carry the kind of intrigue this…
Walk into any BJJ academy and you’ll probably see a mix of fresh-faced twenty-somethings drilling berimbolos, competitive purple belts sweating through shark tank rounds, and somewhere in the corner, a guy in his 50s with…
For decades, running has been considered an essential part of a martial arts fighter’s training. From boxers pounding the pavement at dawn to Muay Thai athletes logging endless roadwork sessions in Thailand, running has long…
Many working adults chase success in their careers but often do so at the expense of their health and peace of mind. Stress, long hours, and unhealthy coping habits like late-night drinks, endless scrolling, or…
Some comebacks roar. And there are comebacks whispered, tempered with emotion, healing, and the weight of time. Stamp Fairtex, the Muay Thai Queen, falls into the latter. She’s not just fighting again, she’s reclaiming a…
