Taekwon-do for Kids

The Ninja Turtles and Power Rangers, as well as an endless supply of actions movies, have made martial arts highly popular among children of all ages. Yet many parents wonder if such activity is appropriate for their kids. 

The answer may lie in finding a school and martial art that promotes the values and attitudes you consider important. At the School of Traditional Taekwon-do, we put the emphasis on art in martial arts. We view Taekwon-do as a way to improve one' s body, mind and character, and not just a form of physical competition. 

Still, kids think it's fun to do. 

Taekwon-do offers several benefits to students who practice it, including: 

Self-Discipline

The discipline you impose on yourself in order to meet a goal is more enduring than any discipline dictate by someone else.

Progress in our system is based on meeting ever more challenging objectives, and it requires increasing self-discipline with each new level. Thus, the student is motivated to be diligent and persistent. 

As students rise in rank, they are expected to become role models for new students--and the examples they set form the basis for further advancement. 

Self-Confidence

When students finally master difficult Taekwon-do skills or pass an arduous test to promote to the next belt level, they gain a sense of real achievement. That builds confidence in themselves.

Together with self-discipline, this enhanced self-esteem helps keep kids on the right track. They are less likely to act out violently or be bullies by peer pressure. 

Self-Defense

Children today are vulnerable to all sorts of predators. In Taekwon-do, they learn techniques that can effectively ward off an attack by someone larger. More importantly, they learn to keep their wits and practice basic self-preservation (yelling "Fire! " when attacked because it draws more attention; running away). As their senses become more acute from Taekwon-do training, they are able to spot potential dangers more readily.

Students are admonished to use Taekwon-do skills only for self-defense. Fighting rarely is a problem with our students and they know if they get into a fight, they can be suspended from attending our classes. 

Fitness

A lot of kids don't get much exercise other than maneuvering the Nintendo buttons. An hour of Taekwon-do a day will improve their strength, flexibility, coordination and endurance.

Although there is competition in Taekwon-do, the sports aspects are downplayed at our school. There is no pressure to win or make the team. Even kids who have never done anything athletic in their lives can excel at Taekwon-do if they keep trying. More natural athletes, too, build skills such as hand-eye coordination that carry over into other sports.