Children
ages 4 and up
What are the benefits of Taekwon-do practice for my child?
1. Commitment and perseverance are essential life skills. Notice we said "Taekwon-do practice" above and not "Taekwon-do classes." Every time your child comes to class, they are working on setting goals and following through to achieve them, a talent that applies directly to home, school, and eventually a career. Your child will get the most out of our program by attending on a regular, consistent basis, ideally 2 or 3 times per week. Continuity builds good habits, self-confidence, and sense of ownership, traits that will last a lifetime.
2. Master Marr's Taekwon-do focuses on individual growth. We recognize that every child is unique. They come into class with varied backgrounds and experiences, each with their own needs and concerns, and a personal learning style. We aim to meet children where they are and help them develop at their own speed. We focus on self-improvement, avoiding the negativity of competition, or letting the team down.
3. Master Marr's Taekwon-do emphasizes short-term and long-term goals. Many children, especially those who learn and think differently, feel like they never “win” at anything. MMTKD allows students to progress at their own pace. Small rewards for attendance keep students motivated in the short term, and new colored belts for reaching a new skill level boost self-esteem. And when they make it to Black Belt, students can join the Demonstration Team, help out during classes, or become a camp counselor.
4. Classes provide structure and clear expectations. Master Marr's Taekwon-do incorporates simple etiquette rules that remind students that self-control is important. Each class follows a similar format, with variations within exercises to introduce new skills. This routine is especially helpful for kids on the autism spectrum, but empowers all children with a sense of control.
5. Taekwon-do requires focus and concentration. Attention is central to Taekwon-do. Kids have to stay tuned in to learn and remember the various movements. When a child’s focus drifts, clear commands such as "left foot forward fighting stance" bring them mentally back to class. Students can then reset and get ready for the next instruction.
6. Taekwon-do improves physical well-being. The basic movements of Taekwon-do strengthen gross motor skills, as well as balance, coordination, posture, and agility. Target practice enhances accuracy, speed, and power. Studies show that children are more sedentary now than ever before, and more likely to have health issues as a result. In addition to a healthy diet and enough sleep, kids needs to stay active.
7. Taekwon-do improves memory and strengthens neural pathways. Taekwon-do instruction is broken down by skill levels, or ranks. Each rank has its own movement phrase, referred to as a pattern. The beginning pattern involves 19 moves, but only 3 discrete movements. Remembering the order and direction of these moves can take children several months of repetition to master. However, subsequent patterns become easier to learn, despite increased difficulty, because the students have learned how to learn.
8. Taekwon-do is a safe way for kids to get out extra energy. It’s a myth that martial arts encourage aggressive behavior. In fact, we stress that Taekwon-do is for self-defense only, and fighting is a last resort. At the same time, kicking and punching pads in a supervised environment lets kids work out frustration or anger while practicing self-control.
9. Master Marr's Taekwon-do is an accepting environment. Respect is a core value at Master Marr's Taekwon-do—for instructors, parents, fellow students, and the physical space. Students meet people from various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds who they might not otherwise encounter. We promote the idea of community through social activities outside the dojang, such as potlucks, ballgames, and demonstrations. Being a part of a supportive community with a common interest is key to positive mental health.
10. Taekwon-do is cool. Thanks to popular culture, kids think martial arts are cool. It’s hard not to feel special when you’re wearing Taekwon-do gear and breaking boards in half. And nothing beats a roomful of their peers applauding when they earn a new belt.
1. Commitment and perseverance are essential life skills. Notice we said "Taekwon-do practice" above and not "Taekwon-do classes." Every time your child comes to class, they are working on setting goals and following through to achieve them, a talent that applies directly to home, school, and eventually a career. Your child will get the most out of our program by attending on a regular, consistent basis, ideally 2 or 3 times per week. Continuity builds good habits, self-confidence, and sense of ownership, traits that will last a lifetime.
2. Master Marr's Taekwon-do focuses on individual growth. We recognize that every child is unique. They come into class with varied backgrounds and experiences, each with their own needs and concerns, and a personal learning style. We aim to meet children where they are and help them develop at their own speed. We focus on self-improvement, avoiding the negativity of competition, or letting the team down.
3. Master Marr's Taekwon-do emphasizes short-term and long-term goals. Many children, especially those who learn and think differently, feel like they never “win” at anything. MMTKD allows students to progress at their own pace. Small rewards for attendance keep students motivated in the short term, and new colored belts for reaching a new skill level boost self-esteem. And when they make it to Black Belt, students can join the Demonstration Team, help out during classes, or become a camp counselor.
4. Classes provide structure and clear expectations. Master Marr's Taekwon-do incorporates simple etiquette rules that remind students that self-control is important. Each class follows a similar format, with variations within exercises to introduce new skills. This routine is especially helpful for kids on the autism spectrum, but empowers all children with a sense of control.
5. Taekwon-do requires focus and concentration. Attention is central to Taekwon-do. Kids have to stay tuned in to learn and remember the various movements. When a child’s focus drifts, clear commands such as "left foot forward fighting stance" bring them mentally back to class. Students can then reset and get ready for the next instruction.
6. Taekwon-do improves physical well-being. The basic movements of Taekwon-do strengthen gross motor skills, as well as balance, coordination, posture, and agility. Target practice enhances accuracy, speed, and power. Studies show that children are more sedentary now than ever before, and more likely to have health issues as a result. In addition to a healthy diet and enough sleep, kids needs to stay active.
7. Taekwon-do improves memory and strengthens neural pathways. Taekwon-do instruction is broken down by skill levels, or ranks. Each rank has its own movement phrase, referred to as a pattern. The beginning pattern involves 19 moves, but only 3 discrete movements. Remembering the order and direction of these moves can take children several months of repetition to master. However, subsequent patterns become easier to learn, despite increased difficulty, because the students have learned how to learn.
8. Taekwon-do is a safe way for kids to get out extra energy. It’s a myth that martial arts encourage aggressive behavior. In fact, we stress that Taekwon-do is for self-defense only, and fighting is a last resort. At the same time, kicking and punching pads in a supervised environment lets kids work out frustration or anger while practicing self-control.
9. Master Marr's Taekwon-do is an accepting environment. Respect is a core value at Master Marr's Taekwon-do—for instructors, parents, fellow students, and the physical space. Students meet people from various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds who they might not otherwise encounter. We promote the idea of community through social activities outside the dojang, such as potlucks, ballgames, and demonstrations. Being a part of a supportive community with a common interest is key to positive mental health.
10. Taekwon-do is cool. Thanks to popular culture, kids think martial arts are cool. It’s hard not to feel special when you’re wearing Taekwon-do gear and breaking boards in half. And nothing beats a roomful of their peers applauding when they earn a new belt.
