Youth Martial Arts Questions...

[EastCreek]

Do you have a child in martial arts? I have been considering this for my oldest (now 3) in the near future. She's a wonderful child. Have you seen an increase and discipline in your child's involvement? Do they enjoy, and look forward to practice/lessons? What age do you think is good for starting?

I have no background in this area, so I am simply contemplating wheether or not it is worth all that is involved. Do you have ANY basic feedback...positive or negative? Thanks!!! EC

[Wang]

My daughter goes to Taekwondo 2-3 times a week and has been doing so for the last year. She started when she was 5 1/2 years old and I've never had to push her to go to class. I can't keep her from class and she loves it more than t-ball and soccer. The school we go to wants the kid potty trained when they start and from watching a few 3-4 years olds in class, I feel that it might be a little young. I do think each kid is different so your child might be ready for it. The program my child is in is called the "Tiny Tigers". It's basically a program designed by the American Taekwondo Association for 4-6 year olds. They learn Taekwondo and life skills. While it's not cheap, the benefits my daughters has recieved from what she has learned pays off daily.

If your child can listen and somewhat focus for 45 minutes or so, they are probably ready. I think the upper 4 is a good age to start. My daughter wanted to join because she has always shown an interest in it. Many of the kids in this program have learning difficulties or attention span issues. I've watched many of these kids make tremendous improvements. In order for the program to work though, the parent needs to reinforce at home what the kids learn in class.
Her school has kind of become of social circle or peer group of sorts.

I'll send you a link to the school I go to and the national link.

Hope this helps a little.

[lingslayer]

Taekwondo helped my son greatly with his ADHD. It helped his concentration and self discipline, and increased his self confidence too. His grades improved significantly. Later, it opened doors for him that would have been closed otherwise.