Providing Tang Soo Do Training for Children

Martial arts training early in life can help a child into a develop into a mature adult. Starting a child in the martial arts helps them gain confidence, strength, learn discipline, they can improve both mental and physical capabilities and develop determination early in life. These assets are easily transferred to both the classroom and home environments. With active parental involvement, our instructors are able to teach children much more than just kicking and punching. It is important to us that the students we teach have a positive attitude both inside and outside the studios (dojangs). The children, as well as the adults, are taught that fighting is not the answer, they are instructed to defend themselves only if the situation cannot be avoided, the first response to a confrontation is to turn and leave. Confrontation should only occur when you have no other choice but to defend yourself.

At both the beginning and end of class the class instructor or senior member calls: "Five Tang Soo Do Codes." The entire class then recites the five codes together loudly and clearly:

1. Loyalty to country

2. Obedience to parents and elders

3. Honor friendship

4. No retreat in battle - this does not mean always fight, but to finish what you start. Defined: A battle could be life, it could be achieving your black belt, finishing school or even cleaning your room.

5. In fighting choose with sense and honor - this means to pick your battles wisely, not to start a fight and don't fight when you do not have to.

School attendance and performance are monitored by the instructors. You cannot just succeed in one area of life, you must succeed in all areas. This does not mean all the students are required be on the honor roll to attend class but they must apply themselves to all areas of their lives and take responsibility for themselves. This means doing homework, helping with chores around the home and respecting your parents by doing what they ask and not yelling back at them.

By learning our curriculum, students increase flexibility, improve hand-to-eye coordination, and gain strength in their upper and lower body. While practicing karate, students become more aware of their surroundings, lengthen their attention span, gain focus on tasks assigned, and have fun at the same time! That is the beauty of martial arts training. We keep it fun, yet challenging, so your child keeps coming back for more. It is our job to motivate, discipline, and provide positive reinforcement to our students. Our curriculum consists of nine levels prior to black belt. As a student progresses through our program the goals they are to achieve become more and more demanding. This system enables the student to set and achieve a clearly defined goal.

The children in our classes take exceptional pride in achieving their goals and earning their belts/ranks. They enjoy the feeling of hard work and accomplishments, overcoming obstacles and the addition of family to the classes adds to these feelings of pride. Come in and try a class (the first class is free) or just observe. Talk to the other students and their parents, discuss your questions with the Instructors and see for yourself the benefits that Tang Soo Do training can do for your child and yourself.