Tae Kwon Do

[tw1nsmom]

We are thinking of signing DS6 up for Tae Kwon Do. I'm a little nervous because DS has some special needs that include visual spatial weaknesses and some mild physical delays.

I was wondering if anybody had any experiences with their children pertaining to Tae Kwon Do that they thought would be helpful. Also, Do your children go once or twice a week? The place I'll be taking him gives two private lessons to see if the child likes it and to assess their abilities. They then make recommendations for classes. I think I really want DS to just go once a week, but I don't know what the norm is and I'm afraid that they're going to pressure me when I'm there.

I grew up less than athletic and had many bad experiences with gym teachers and coaches. I'm trying to not let my experiences limit my children, but I'm nervous that my kids will be treated the way I was. DD6 is signing up for tap/ballet...I have a good feeling about that instructor. I haven't met DS's instructor, only talked to him on the phone.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

My DD6 has recently started in a Kenpo karate school. The owner/instructor considers the Tae Kwon Do the "Take Your Dough" karate schools. He personally felt that some of the chains have classes that are way too big with not enough personal attention. My DD takes 2 classes a week. The teacher/student ratio is about 1:4. Its a very nice size. They can see everything going on in class.

That being said, I have never investigated Tae Kwon Do schools. My Dsis and DBIL are both black belts in Kenpo Karate. I asked them to review this guys credentials and check him out. Can you ask around to see if other people have taken classes there?

I would check out the class size if I were you. Can you bring your DS to a general class for him to watch? Are you comfortable with the setting for your son? Can you watch the class?

Good luck with this decision. I was rather unsettled with the whole idea because I don't particularly care for my DD have punches thrown at her.

 

[golfgal]

All three of my kids are black belts in Tae Kwan Do. I guess I don't agree with the PP's instructor that said the classes are too big and cost too much (how much do you pay for your classes???).

Our kids' instructor was GREAT with kids with special needs. One gal in DS14's class has CP and some other major motor issues and she is now a black belt as well. The twins had one gal that is deaf and her parents attended class with her and they are all 3rd degree black belts now.

It is a GREAT activity for all kids. Our kids went 2 nights a week and then would go to open houses on Saturday when testing was coming up or they wanted to get ready for a tournament. DS14 LOVED tournaments and went to many of them. The twins didn't like them and went to about 3 over the years.

 

[Bearvet]

I have 3 boys and my oldest has been in martial arts training (started in Kenpo and switched to Tae Kwon Do) for 12 years!! All 3 are now black belts and are well behaved, respectful, self-disciplined kids - which I give most of the credit to their martial arts training!!

Schools vary as far as schedules but most start at 2 days a week - there's a lot to remember and a week in between classes is a long time. My 2 oldest also train in Olympic or "sport" Tae Kwon Do and have travelled all over the country to compete - a great experience (DS13 just won a gold medal at the Junior Olympics).

Fees also vary from school to school not just from Kenpo to Tae Kwon Do. I only pay $125/month for all 3 and they train 3 to 6 days per week plus extra classes (weapons, etc) at no charge.

Most schools have a few adult black belt teachers and also have higher ranking students help too. My kids have learned a tremendous amount by teaching (patience!!) and many times kids feel more comfortable around other kids. We have special need children (and adults) in the classes and they are always encouraged and supported. A boy with autism just earned his black belt after many years - what an accomplishment! You work at your own pace so there's no big pressure to perform - you are only tested when you are ready.

Martial arts teaches children self-confidence and self-control as well as self-defense! I can't say enough good things about Tae Kwon Do and how it has shaped my boys' lives!! It's normal to be nervous at first, but most (not all) schools have a "family" type atmosphere.

I'd say give it a try - you can always stop after a few months (please give it that long) if you or your son don't like it.

 

[golfgal]

I should add that for our kids' training their classes were pretty much 1 on 1 with an instructor either an adult instructor or a junior black belt. That's a pretty good ratio. DS14 had 20 kids in his class, the twins had 8 kids in their class.

 

[Kirk]

My DD and I trained in TKD from when she was 7. It took about 3 years of 5-6 times a week to earn black belts. IMHO you need at least 2+ sessions per week to progress in the early belts depending on your abilities and 4+ once you get above the mid-point. That was blue were we trained. There are 2 separate recognised training systems the ITF and the ***. The latter trains to compete in Olympics and Jr. Olympics so if you want to compete down the road I would stay with the ***. ITF concentrates more on forms and technique, the *** on sparring and stamina. Both are good in the own rights! Everyone has to make a living wether it be TKD, Kenpo or Dance for that matter. What's most important is that your DS has fun with it! Look for that! If he doesn't, he'll burn out and drop out once it get hard.

We trained with Master Garth Cooley when we lived in Indianapolis. The classes were large but so were the staff of intructors. The disipline was great and will carry over to school and the training will carry over to other sports and activities as well - balance, strength, stamina, self-confidense, etc. Not bad things for any kid to pick up!

I realize you're in NY but here's a link to a school that does it right! Look it over.


KTA



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[Toby'sFriend]

just out of curiousity, why have you decided that once a week would be better? Is it a scheduling conflict or are you afraid of overwhelming him?

I can tell you that martial arts can be very beneficial to all kids - and with the right teacher can be adapted to many children with special needs.

But the key there is "with the right teacher."

 

[aprilgail2]

My daughter has been taking taekwondo since she was 3 years old 4 times a week. She is now one belt away from her black belt and she is taking 5-6 classes a week to brush op on the stuff she learned and forgot. If she only went once a week I think she would still be an yellow or orange belt LOL. She also takes weapons class twice a month and wants to sign up for XMA (extreme martial arts) once she becomes 7. I know that taekondo is one of the cheaper ones to take, my friends son takes jui jit su and pays well over 100 a month. All the classes my daughter takes are still just 85.00 for the month.
As far as class size, my daughters classes have ranged in size from 2 instructors for 3 kids to 4 instructors for groups broken down to 5-6 kids per group.
Our school has a big school picnic in the summer and a Christmas party in Dec.

 

[becjlek]

My son has taken Ryu Kyu Kempo Karate for 3 years. He really likes and had made a lot of friends. There is no competition and the cost isn't bad, 37.00 for every 6 week session. The emphasis seems to be to always do your best and that it doesn't matter how everyone else is doing. We have been very pleased with it. There were some things about the TKD that I had some concerns about.

 

[tw1nsmom]

I want to thank everyone for all of the great info. DS is a special little guy and I probably stress too much trying to make all the right decisions for him (DD is very special too, she's just a little tougher).

The reason I thought one session a week would work better is that I don't want to overschedule him. He's going to have a busy school day with 2-OT, 2-PT, 2-Speech, Resource, and Social Skills counseling every week. We also pay for private speech articulation therapy twice a week. Not to mention that he has to come along when I take his twin sister to her activities.

However, if after his two private sessions he decides he wants to do it and the instructors have a place for him and want him to go twice a week, I'll find a way to work it out (phew, talk about a run on sentence!)

 

[CanBeGrumpy]

My son (9) has some coordination issues (he was in OT for 2 years) and he takes Karate. I personally think it has helped him a great deal! His coordination is improving, and I think it gives him some confidence. He is in a small class with a GREAT teacher (who realizes my son needs a little extra help, but never makes him feel that way!) I would say to definitley give martial arts a try with your son. It may be just the thing he needs!