Martial Arts Classes for Preschoolers

By Ahas Weerapura, Jr 1st dan

Are you looking for martial arts for preschoolers? The Colorado Taekwondo Institute offers high quality, fun classes for preschoolers ages 3 and up! Through our martial arts classes for preschoolers, your child can learn important skills like self control and listening skills from a highly qualified instructor.

One of the best benefits of our martial arts for preschoolers is the physical exercise and energy outlet that preschoolers get from it. Our taekwondo classes let preschoolers express and release their energy in a fun, safe and positive environment and help teach important physical skills like balance and coordination in a safe, low-risk environment. Preschoolers are also taught self-control and discipline and develop the ability to control their energy and emotions through a positive and fun learning medium.

In martial arts for preschoolers, kids get to learn important skills like following instructions given by an instructor, which are extremely important in development and learning abilities. This is done through the instruction of the class, where the instructor will direct the students to do different things, building the ability to follow instructions and respect for instructions. Preschoolers will also learn the importance of following the rules, and develop respect towards the rules and will learn to understand that rules are beneficial for them and others. For example, if the students are playing a game, the rules and expectations are explained to them, helping them learn to follow rules and understand rules are there to keep them safe. Over time, martial arts for preschoolers helps children develop virtues like discipline, self-control, and a proper sense of sportsmanship through instruction, ensuring that kids will internalize and express these values. 

Martial arts for preschoolers also helps kids develop better cognitive abilities, like memorization, recall, and interpretation through martial arts training. This is done through movement patterns like poomse, which helps kids develop control of their bodies, learn about the techniques that they practice, and develop memorization and recall skills. Learning in this way promotes better learning ability and brain health while also physically stimulating the muscles through the movements being performed, improving coordination and motor control. Kids will also develop a sense of how their musculoskeletal system works, the way their bodies move, and movements that are safe and don’t put strain on joints through the movements that are performed in training and the things that affect those movements.. This significantly aids in reducing the chance of injury in the present and future due to having knowledge of the movement limitations and abilities of the body.

Through martial arts for preschoolers, children also develop self-confidence and self-esteem through martial arts achievements like promotions and competitions. For example, an instructor might assist a student in setting a realistic goal in their martial arts relating to something that they could improve in. In achieving this goal, students will feel proud of themselves, and as a result, feel more confidence and self-esteem. Through these developed senses of self-esteem and confidence, students will be enabled to think well about themselves, interact easier with peers, and do things with healthy attitudes toward themselves. Self-directed learning and goal-setting is also highly encouraged in our program, and will help children develop knowledge on how to improve in the activities they are enthusiastic about and want to get better at.

In addition, CTI classes also teaches kids valuable social skills, like cooperation and competition. This can be seen in things like our tournaments, where students are taught to practice good sportsmanship towards their peers and also develop a competitive attitude in competitions that can be applied to other things in their lives. Activities like team tournaments are also incredibly valuable because students have to work with an assigned team to perform well. Students will also be part of an uplifting, positive community that understands and appreciates them as well, fostering a sense of belonging and community in students. For example, students develop many connections just through class with their peers and instructors, but even more so through things like our day camps and activities. Martial arts for preschoolers helps them learn to respect, understand, and empathize with other kids as well, increasing their social skills and ability to make friends.

Martial arts for preschoolers are massively beneficial for their physical health, mental abilities, self-respect, and confidence. They help in the development of children’s brains, bodies, and minds and provide positive connections and communities. At the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, we offer programs that will help your child accomplish these things with a trained instructor who understands children and the diverse needs of different types of children, with locations in Conifer, Green Mountain, Littleton, Westminster, Craig, and Golden. Come try one of our classes for free at a location near you and sign up for your child to reap the many benefits of martial arts.

2026 All-City Champs Results!

The 2026 All-City Championships, hosted by the Colorado Taekwondo Institute, took place this past weekend at Alameda International Jr/Sr High School & Bear Creek High School in Lakewood, Colorado. This annual event brought together students of all ages and belt levels for two days of spirited competition, camaraderie, and personal growth.

Participants showcased their skills across various disciplines, including Poomse, sparring, self-defense, and board breaking. The tournament emphasized not only technical excellence but also the core values of Taekwondo: respect, perseverance, and sportsmanship. 

The All-City Championships served as a platform for students to challenge themselves, learn from their experiences, and celebrate their achievements with peers and instructors alike. The success of the tournament reflects the commitment of the Colorado Taekwondo Institute to nurturing both the physical and personal development of its students. 

Congratulations to the Grand Champions, Quynn Cotner & Zoe Economou!

Here are the final results!

POOMSE

1st Place

Henry Lewis, Rebekkah Copel, Rue Weerapura, Owen Eberhard, Cooper Curry, Katie Harding, Dalila Lopez Martinez, Kendrick Toney, Daniel Gray, Joshua Stephenson, Jase Hessler, Stella Reyniers, Alice Burgin, Ellie Combs, Colin Williamson, Dylan Kiser, Gwen Spilling, Lorenzo Gomez, Rahi Rauniyar, Mila Olivares Castro, Yuvan Rauniyar, Taylor Crane, Keira Teska, Luna Bratz, Aaron Botnick, Avery Liu, Jordan Lawyer, Cory Balk, Natalie Teska, Quinn Hetzel, Veronika Lesyk, Loxley Mcelhaney, Terrance Sanders, Tommy Jacoby, Chad Williamson, Tucker Mercier, Cooper Goldcamp, Grayson Keck, Alexander Meyers, Luna Rivera, Zyler Martin, Anthony Hanson, Forrest Zilliox, Olivia Madruga, Leighton Evarts, Jacob Bernier, Paul Ji, Blake Macon, Marcus Cassimus, Ruth Moore

2nd Place

Jaxson Hipsher, Shiven Venkat, Joel Hall, Nethika Suraweera, Logan Martin, Keatyn Adams, Amallia Chapman, Jack Wicken, Christopher Cochenour, Henry Andonov, River Manuelito, Weston Evarts, Kim Williamson, Pierce Baker, Leo Duffey, Sheen Pandita, Milo Conner, Olivia Ivie, Cyrus Khatri, Lyra Bratz, Nirajit Dhakal, Dominic Ditallo, Andrew Kahan, Easton Ellender, Timofii Lesyk, Stryder Martin, Eric Phillips, Natalie Huntley, Anitej Narumanchi, Aleina Evarts, Dawson Portera, Sebastian Schuster, Nicholas Johnson, Soren Chartier, Chase Downham, Oliver Rackl, Luna Duran, Sahithi Pappu, Laz Logan, Rory Duffy, Zachary Wolf, Walker Meyers, Turner Blanchard, Clay Zilliox, Skye Zilliox, Jonah Weisfield, Gracelyn Flueck, Ezekiel Onyun, Leo Ramirez, Lance Templin

3rd Place

Aarush Venkat, Sam Powers, Armando Gomez, Ellie Pechon, Lucy Paisley, Anna Copel, Landon Adams, Franco Ramirez, Hilde Groff, Landon Sidley-Mercado, Bill Graves, Millie Hessler, Zane Farrier, Thomas Mcnair, Siri Molnar, Reid Baker, Asher Yushka, Gabriel Kahan, Jack Arland, Ben Buteyn, Tyrion Bieker, James Daly, Hugh Dionne, Noah Buteyn, Alina Madruga, Ruth Berry, James Klausner, Oliver Yurka, Desmond Bearce, Matthew Decross, Grayden Craig, Arnav Narumanchi, Neev Pandita, Emma Moncrief, Lily Carrillo, Genevieve Johnson, Freya Mixon, Brie Rivera, Lila Story, Jasper Walsh, Bradley Zutman, Silas Corbett, Julia Giddons, Ben Alek, Adrian Cruz, Cooper Collentine, Lennon Story, Finley Becker, Ethan Mccarroll

4th Place

Carter Hoffman, Josie Landis, Dan Copel, Ryan Marine, Henry Chiabotti, Eddie Garner, Rose Basnet, Mary Groff, Shreeyan Khatri, Elijah Yushka, Presley Hobler, Anastasia Contreras, Hadley Wilkins, Carlos Ramirez, Carol Wilsey, Sophia Palfreyman, Olivia Roberts, Quintyn Upshaw, Jj Defelice, Vesper Gaczol, Josephine Phillips, Stephen Mines, Felix Kelson, Adeline Alayash, Jenny Powers, Delta Warner, Iris Kuhlman, Wyck Gaczol, Sarah Phillips, Adeline Karkula, Gabriella Suarez, Declan Upshaw, Chase Bernat, Bev Spilling

TIGER POOMSE

1st Place

Leo Claveau, Declan Yurka, Atticus Albrechtson, Sigmund Kelson, Violet Lopez Martinez, Aryan Bhatt, Vince Kuhlman, Elsie Bearce, Emilia Newberry, Knox Randolph, Cash Hanson, Crew Bernat, Wynston Gaczol, Luke Hannon, Savannah Roberts, Beau Roberts, Kai Clark, A.J. Lucero, Rowan Doehring-Debus, Harlie Donnell, Ishika Pappu, Cora Bearce, Sawyer Doehring-Debus, Gracelynn Moncrief

POOMSE BREAKING

1st Place

Erik Albrechtson, Bridget Sautel, Quynn Cotner, Meredith Botnick, Kirun Agarwal, Zoe Economou, Diego Quezada, Alexis Chavez, Evan Mcewan, Zachary Cotner, Susan Burgstiner

2nd Place

Clayton Garner, Kathleen Sautel, Ellie Stanton, Marley Powers, Darcy Stanton, Emily Green, Henry Rumph, Logan Keckler, Jordan Rutz, Ivy Strickland, Mason Zerbib

3rd Place

Collin Kreutz, Eileen Lindner, Lydia Willis, Nathaniel Keckler, Vivi Brown, Ivy Jensen, Elsie Mcdonald, Tristyn Cvanciger, Allan Stanton, Ace Ashworth, Kayla Albrechtson

4th Place

Peyton Brauch, Hope Morgan, Averie Chavez, Sarah Dahle, Emma Burden, Dale Sanders, Warren Mcdonald, Lily Strickland, Kaylyn Mcewan

SPARRING

1st Place

Kathleen Sautel, Collin Kreutz, Quynn Cotner, Ellie Stanton, Matthew Roberts, Diego Quezada, Alexis Chavez, Tristyn Cvanciger, Henry Lewis, Shiven Venkat, Nethika Suraweera, Armando Gomez, Carter Hoffman, Josie Landis, Dalila Lopez Martinez, Kendrick Toney, Daniel Gray, Jase Hessler, Amallia Chapman, Alice Burgin, Ellie Combs, Colin Williamson, Gwen Spilling, Weston Evarts, Pierce Baker, Zane Farrier, Elijah Yushka, Rahi Rauniyar, Mila Olivares Castro, Yuvan Rauniyar, Taylor Crane, Cyrus Khatri, Lyra Bratz, Timofii Lesyk, Ben Buteyn, Tyrion Bieker, Carol Wilsey, Cory Balk, Anitej Narumanchi, Aleina Evarts, Desmond Bearce, Grayden Craig, Alexander Meyers, Oliver Rackl, Delta Warner, Anthony Hanson, Olivia Madruga, Paul Ji, Blake Macon, Rory Duffy, Silas Corbett, Julia Giddons, Marcus Cassimus, Ezekiel Onyun, 

2nd Place

Tyler Murphy, Shekina Culberson, Marley Powers, Zachary Cotner, Emily Green, Henry Rumph, Allan Stanton, Emma Burden, Rebekkah Copel, Logan Martin, Keatyn Adams, Aarush Venkat, Sam Powers, Ellie Pechon, Dan Copel, Stella Reyniers, Jack Wicken, Hilde Groff, Henry Chiabotti, Eddie Garner, Lorenzo Gomez, Kim Williamson, Reid Baker, Asher Yushka, Anastasia Contreras, Torin Dimascio, Aaron Botnick, Avery Liu, Easton Ellender, James Daly, Noah Buteyn, Alina Madruga, Sophia Palfreyman, Peter Morehead, Quinn Hetzel, Terrance Sanders, Tommy Jacoby, Felix Kelson, Tucker Mercier, Cooper Goldcamp, Luna Rivera, Chase Downham, Luna Duran, Forrest Zilliox, Jacob Bernier, Zachary Wolf, Walker Meyers, Adeline Karkula, Gabriella Suarez, Declan Upshaw, Lance Templin, Beck Zaback

3rd Place

Hope Morgan, Kyle Feagans, Meredith Botnick, Nathaniel Keckler, Ivy Jensen, Elsie Mcdonald, Ace Ashworth, Warren Mcdonald, Rue Weerapura, Owen Eberhard, Joel Hall, Ryan Marine, Landon Adams, Franco Ramirez, Rose Basnet, Jennifer Kautz, Zachary Kahan, Dylan Kiser, Leo Duffey, Bill Graves, Millie Hessler, Thomas Mcnair, Siri Molnar, Gabriel Kahan, Presley Hobler, Rylan Lamkin, Ailani Lopez Martinez, Keira Teska, Nirajit Dhakal, Dominic Ditallo, Andrew Kahan, Stryder Martin, Ruth Berry, Olivia Roberts, Natalie Teska, Veronika Lesyk, Dawson Portera, Sebastian Schuster, Nicholas Johnson, Matthew Decross, Chad Williamson, Grayson Keck, Iris Kuhlman, Leighton Evarts, Turner Blanchard, Clay Zilliox, Skye Zilliox, Ben Alek, Adrian Cruz, Chase Bernat, Leo Ramirez, Bev Spilling

4th Place

Peyton Brauch, Kirun Agarwal, Evan Mcewan, Logan Keckler, Jordan Rutz, Ivy Strickland, Bob Padget, Lucy Paisley, Paul Paisley, Joshua Stephenson, Christopher Cochenour, Henry Andonov, River Manuelito, Landon Sidley-Mercado, Sheen Pandita, Milo Conner, Olivia Ivie, Jack Arland, Shreeyan Khatri, Hadley Wilkins, Luna Bratz, Jordan Lawyer, Eric Phillips, Natalie Huntley, Quintyn Upshaw, Loxley Mcelhaney, Neev Pandita, Stephen Mines, Adeline Alayash, Sahithi Pappu, Jonah Weisfield, Cooper Collentine, Ruth Moore

FIRST POINT WINS!

1st Place

Kathleen Sautel, Tyler Murphy, Nathaniel Keckler, Emily Green, Henry Rumph, Ivy Jensen, Logan Keckler, Zoe Economou, Rebekkah Copel, Aarush Venkat, Rue Weerapura, Jaxson Hipsher, Dalila Lopez Martinez, Kendrick Toney, Jack Wicken, Landon Adams, Joshua Stephenson, Alice Burgin, Ellie Combs, Colin Williamson, Kim Williamson, Bill Graves, Millie Hessler, Rylan Lamkin, Shreeyan Khatri, Rahi Rauniyar, Mila Olivares Castro, Yuvan Rauniyar, Cyrus Khatri, Lyra Bratz, Carol Wilsey, Nirajit Dhakal, Dominic Ditallo, Andrew Kahan, Anitej Narumanchi, Desmond Bearce, Quinn Hetzel, Natalie Teska, Matthew Decross, Tucker Mercier, Chase Downham, Chad Williamson, Iris Kuhlman, Anthony Hanson, Rory Duffy, Silas Corbett, Forrest Zilliox, Zachary Wolf, Leighton Evarts, Beck Zaback, Bev Spilling, Ruth Moore

2nd Place

Shekina Culberson, Kyle Feagans, Ellie Stanton, Averie Chavez, Alexis Chavez, Zachary Cotner, Emma Burden, Evan Mcewan, Dale Sanders, Henry Lewis, Josie Landis, Sam Powers, Dan Copel, Joel Hall, Paul Paisley, Amallia Chapman, Henry Chiabotti, Eddie Garner, Franco Ramirez, Rose Basnet, Jennifer Kautz, Weston Evarts, Dylan Kiser, Leo Duffey, Thomas Mcnair, Siri Molnar, Presley Hobler, Sheen Pandita, Taylor Crane, Ben Buteyn, Easton Ellender, Keira Teska, Stryder Martin, Luna Bratz, Eric Phillips, Hugh Dionne, Aleina Evarts, Grayden Craig, Veronika Lesyk, Loxley Mcelhaney, Stephen Mines, Delta Warner, Cooper Goldcamp, Grayson Keck, Olivia Madruga, Julia Giddons, Jacob Bernier, Walker Meyers, Turner Blanchard, Ben Alek, Ezekiel Onyun, Lance Templin, Leo Ramirez, 

STAFF POOMSE

1st Place

Ivy Jensen, Collin Kreutz, Quynn Cotner, Matthew Roberts, Marley Powers, Meredith Botnick, Elsie Mcdonald

2nd Place

Kathleen Sautel, Nathaniel Keckler, Zoe Economou, Averie Chavez, Evan Mcewan, Vivi Brown, Jordan Rutz

3rd Place

Tyler Murphy, Shekina Culberson, Alexis Chavez, Zachary Cotner, Kirun Agarwal, Diego Quezada, Lily Strickland

4th Place

Henry Rumph, Logan Keckler, Peyton Brauch, Darcy Stanton, Ivy Strickland

FOLLOWING DIRECTIONS

1st Place

Declan Yurka, Aryan Bhatt, Cash Hanson, Kai Clark, A.J. Lucero

2nd Place

Atticus Albrechtson, Vince Kuhlman, Rowan Doehring-Debus, Harlie Donnell, Ishika Pappu

SELF-DEFENSE IN WALKING DRILLS

1st Place

Vesper Gaczol, Soren Chartier, Zyler Martin, Gracelyn Flueck, Lennon Story

2nd Place

JJ DeFelice, Freya Mixon, Lila Story, Bradley Zutman, Finley Becker

BREAKING

1st Place

Carter Hoffman, Carol Wilsey, Sophia Palfreyman, Cory Balk, Arnav Narumanchi, Chad Williamson, 

TARGET KICKING

1st Place

Henry Lewis, Armando Gomez, Ellie Pechon, Cooper Curry, Anna Copel, Dalila Lopez Martinez, Kendrick Toney, Eddie Garner, Jase Hessler, Stella Reyniers, Henry Andonov, Colin Williamson, Presley Hobler, Zane Farrier, Lorenzo Gomez, Jack Arland, Hadley Wilkins, Carlos Ramirez

Education

By Aarush Venkat, Teen Red Belt

Education is one of the most important foundations to academic and practical success in any society. Though many people may not choose the traditional or “standard” route of going to college and pursuing a degree, education comes in other forms such as through real-life situations and experiences. This contrast may also be known through the simple phrase “book smart versus street smart.” Summarized perfectly by American comedian and actor J.B. Smoove, “There’s book smart, there is street smart, there’s relation smart, there’s too many different kinds of smarts to know them all.” Through Taekwondo, all of these different forms of education are strongly emphasized in our Moo Sul Kwan campuses. From memorizing rules to learning different moves and adapting to surroundings, education truly is a genuine factor that creates any CTI student.

Every CTI student is encouraged to familiarize themselves with a plethora of rules, regulations, and information about all aspects of Taekwondo from the CTI manuals. However, this is not simply a matter of pure memorization. Through these guidelines, students are encouraged to understand the broader meanings of these rules, and apply them in their own lives. Through this more academic form of education, students learn to connect the words on the paper to their physical practice in Taekwondo and elsewhere. Through constant reinforcement this also strengthens the student’s ability to evaluate and apply these rules and regulations in their everyday lives, thereby improving their effectiveness in and beyond martial arts.  Furthermore, the memorization of the CTI manual ensures that students are accustomed to performing and executing movements and techniques confidently and without hesitation. By internalizing these rules, students don’t have to focus or worry about simple techniques that are of second nature, which will allow the student to focus on learning advanced, detailed, and complex techniques that require more experience and practice.

Other than excellence through academic learning, education learned through external teachers, instructors and other mentors are equally valuable in providing high levels of practical experience for the CTI student. A mentor or instructor can not only be a brilliant source of inspiration and learning, but they can also shape the worldview of the student’s perspective. This means that in addition to learning techniques and forms by the instructor, students can also take away themes like discipline, leadership, respect, and perseverance through following the example set by upper belts and instructors. This form of education can also be a form of personal development, where the student can use their instructors as role models to help them advance their technical skills and personality. Although this type of education is most successful with younger kids or lower belts, it is still a vital form of learning that is applicable to all belts and all ages, as long as the students are open to being positively influenced by the external factors around them. 

A final source of education and learning is self-learning, or learning through experience and adaptation. This form of education is vital to a student’s growth,  and plays an important role  in their success in the future. By learning independently through experiences, students don’t always have to rely on instructors and mentors for guidance, but rather find solutions to  challenges on their own. Challenges faced in one’s everyday lives creates resilience and makes the student ready to face similar situations with confidence. This type of education can come especially useful during sparring, self-defense, poomse, and even fields outside of taekwondo, such as academics, where students can explore the possible resolutions to problems themselves. In addition, through student’s repeated self-paced practice, they can learn useful skills, like how to adapt to unfamiliar situations, how to deal with pressure, and how to make quick decisions based on their own judgement as well. 

Ultimately, education goes far beyond earning degrees and certificates. It can be obtained in a plethora of different ways, most notably academics or through self-experience. With a combination of all of these methods, the CTI student can truly excel in many areas of knowledge, and they will be prepared to face any obstacles that might occur by using these different skillsets to their advantage. By embracing all forms of education, CTI students will gain the knowledge, wisdom, and character necessary to succeed in all aspects of life.