By Zach Cotner, junior 1st dan
All kids need a healthy place to express themselves, exercise their energy, and feel like they have a place to belong. Families seeking a healthy activity for their children will appreciate what martial arts training will provide them. Martial arts classes benefit kids (and adults) by teaching discipline and self-control, by providing exercise that’s both healthy and fun, and by creating opportunities for positive social interactions.
An important benefit that taekwondo provides to kids is discipline. One main benefit is learning how to act around adults/teachers/mentors/elders. This is important because it will serve you throughout life. It is a great skill to learn respect and communication. In Moo Sul Kwan, we demonstrate our discipline by addressing instructors by ‘ma’am’ and ‘sir’ when we see them. In CTI we follow the rules of etiquette which include things like taking off your shoes before entering the workout area, bowing before entering, and paying attention in every class. These rules support kids ability to follow directions well and teach them to listen to everyone in their lives. Moo Sul Kwan Taekwondo helps children become role models for their peers at the taekwondo campus and school. Students are taught to treat others with kindness, sympathy, and courtesy. When we are working in class we acknowledge other students’ progress and congratulate one another’s successes. These actions encourage others to follow in the same path and start behaving similarly. Leading by example is an easy way for students to learn self control and discipline. From a young age, kids are taught how to be good role models for their peers both in and outside of the workout room.
Likewise, martial arts classes allow students to move their bodies and it is a great way to exercise and be active at a young age. Getting energy out, as a kid, is important because it helps them to think and act better in school and at home. Taekwondo is very active and we get our energy out by doing warm ups, poomses (martial arts patterned movements), sparring, and basics (punching and kicking). Students are able to use their energy in a positive way and in a controlled environment while also learning and processing their actions. In CTI students do weekly classes, which builds a good habit of exercising and is crucial for their bodies’ health. Taekwondo builds strength because the workout/class has a routine focused on learning how to use your body. This is great for kids because they learn control while being active. Kids also have a lot of energy, taekwondo is a good way to use spare energy because it has a healthy impact on the body. Taekwondo also helps kids to get in the habit of exercising healthily because as they get older the importance of exercising also grows. Also, it’s fun! Taekwondo is a great way for kids to have fun and meet new people through sport.
Moreover, taekwondo is very good for kids because it can help build new friendships. By learning to communicate through similarities and time spent in taekwondo kids also build relationships with others.
I have made lots of friends throughout my time in Moo Sul Kwan taekwondo and they go back many years. I started taekwondo when I was 5, and I still see many of the same people to this day. CTI specifically has many events where students get to spend time with their peers like the Expo, Summer Camp, and Friday Fun Nights. It is very easy to make friends when everyone is in a workout and working together in games, self defense and more.
In conclusion, martial arts classes provides an amazing and beneficial sport for kids because of its helpful teaching tools that teach kids discipline and self-control Through fun workouts and games. Well simultaneously giving social skills that they will be able to use outside of taekwondo.
