Children need an outlet to express their endless energy, but it can be challenging to find a playmate whose schedule aligns with theirs. Putting them in a sport like Tae Kwon-do is an excellent way of doing this, as it can vastly teach them important life skills like self-discipline and control, which will undoubtedly help them get far in life.

Taekwondo is physically demanding, which means your child will stay active, become more physically fit, and enjoy a healthy amount of self-esteem. It will also teach them to show respect for other people, persist even when times get tough, and collaborate with other people. Here are seven benefits taekwondo classes can offer your child:

  1. It Instills Self-Control

Taekwondo is all about self-discipline and control. Most of the forms in the sport are complex, requiring acute focus, training, and devotion to master the high kicks and punches. It also requires precise movements, which always takes a high level of control to achieve. By putting your child in the sport, they’ll learn to control their impulses instead of the other way around, teaching them valuable lessons that will pay off as they get older.

  1. It Refines Socialization Skills

Some children have difficulty in highly social environments, finding it easier to interact with others and make friends when like-minded individuals surround them. If your child is particularly timid, putting them in a taekwondo class will help them break out of their shyness, especially when they’re with other students learning at the same level and pace. They’ll soon build rapport as they share their struggles in mastering a move or maneuver.

  1. It Boosts Their Self-Esteem

Even though your child is still young, that doesn’t mean they don’t grapple with self-esteem issues. However, they’ll undoubtedly feel strong when they break a board with their foot or fist and hear the enthusiastic applause from adults, making them realize the amazing things they can potentially do. Soon, they’ll learn that their biggest obstacle to their goals is usually themselves, and a good dose of self-esteem will give them the courage and confidence they need to take down self-imposed barriers.

  1. It Teaches Them to Bounce Back

Many adults struggle with learning to fail, which is another crucial value taekwondo can teach your child. Today’s society is quick to reward everyone regardless of the extent of their contribution, which means that many people don’t know how to deal with failure or believe it’s unacceptable. However, success is impossible without failure, and accepting mistakes or shortcomings will teach your child that they have what it takes to bounce back and become better than ever.

  1. It Highlights Respect

One of the prominent characteristics of taekwondo is that it emphasizes the importance of respect. It is one of the first things an instructor will establish in their students, where they must show respect to everyone—their peers, those stronger and less skilled, and authority figures.

  1. It Hones Their Focus

It can be almost impossible to avoid distractions in a world full of technology and devices that do their best to capture your attention. Your child may have difficulty focusing on their schoolwork due to the video games and online content occupying their time. Fortunately, taekwondo teaches your child to focus since they train in a distraction-free environment where they can leave their worries at the door. Meditation is also fundamental in taekwondo, where instructions usually assign a time for it at the beginning or end of class.

  1. It Encourages Peaceful Conflict Resolution

Taekwondo is a martial art, so people mistakenly believe that it encourages violent behavior. However, it has various defensive styles that emphasize peaceful, non-violent conflict resolution to children. It also highlights the importance and wisdom in avoiding physical altercations at all costs, even when it seems to be tempting and your child wants to fight back at a bully.

Conclusion 

Putting your child in a taekwondo class will teach them many different skills and lessons that will help them grow into well-rounded individuals. With so many benefits, taekwondo will transform your child’s life and help them become more focused, confident, and disciplined.

Pride Martial Arts Academy offers Taekwondo for kids in Clarence that prides itself on its family atmosphere and modern self-defense systems. Our 9,300 square foot facility is equipped with three training floors, a professional kickboxing ring, and a 14-foot mixed martial arts training cage. Schedule your class today!