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What You Need
To Know To Select The Best
Martial Arts Program For Your Child
Dear
Fellow Parents,
You want
your child to gain SELF-CONFIDENCE, learn RESPECT
improve their FOCUS and DISCIPLINE while at
the same time getting a good PHYSICAL WORKOUT and
learning SELF-DEFENSE skills. The right Taekwondo
program will unquestionably provide these important benefits
and much, much more. The dilemma, however, is to determine
which program is right for your child and you are no
doubt trying to gather as much information as you can to
make that decision an informed one. Although not exhaustive,
the following is a list (which I have complied during my
more than two decades of successfully teaching children like
yours) of the 7 most important points a parent should
consider in choosing a martial arts program:
-
First, what is the school’s Primary Objective for its
children’s program?
To be
honest, unfortunately for many schools it is to test their
students (including those who may not be prepared) as often
as possible to reap the benefits of high priced testing
fees. My primary objective, on the other hand, is
Character
Development.
In pursuing this objective, I focus on instilling good
manners as well as the importance of honesty and respect.
Indeed, in their very first introductory lesson, every
student is introduced to and must memorize 3 Rules of
Respect:
- That
the most important person to respect is themselves, and
that they show respect by not hurting their body with
drugs, alcohol or cigarettes;
- That
the second most important people to respect is their
parents and that they show that respect by doing as they
are told; and
- That
the third most important people to respect are teachers
(such as school teachers and martial arts instructors)
because such individuals are trying to pass along their
knowledge.
-
Second, how does the program Encourage goal
realization?
One of the
most important life skills that a child can take away from
Taekwondo is the realization that through dedicated intense
work all worthwhile goals in life are possible. By
periodically testing for and earning new belts as they
progress through their training, children learn how to set,
work towards and realize their goals. Such goal setting and
achieving in turn leads to greater self-esteem and
confidence. It takes approximately 3 years of consistent
training for a student to earn their black belt. I encourage
all my students in our black belt program to realize this
goal by hanging a
Black Belt With
Their Name Embroidered On It
in our main gym. By visualizing their objective every day in
class, students of the Seung-ni Academy stay motivated and
are continually inspired.
-
Third, what tools does the program equip the students
with to Resolve Conflicts Without Fighting?
-Whether
we know it or not, most children from time to time are
harassed by bullies. For many boys and girls, this is the
first “grown up” problem they will ever encounter and most
never tell anyone, much less their parents, because they are
ashamed. You can imagine how this harassment can destroy
their self-esteem.
I Equip Students With The Self Confidence, Communication
Skills and No “Victim” Mentality
for them to effectively resolve bullying confrontations
without having to resort to their formidable self-defense
skills. Accordingly, while my students learn
how to defend
themselves from an attack they are taught that the best way
to win a fight is to resolve it without having a physical
confrontation.
“Seung-ni
- the name of my Taekwondo Academy is the Korean word for
“Victory” and is pronounced “Sung-knee.”
-
Fourth, what is the school’s
Basis for Recognizing Outstanding Achievement?
Many schools may celebrate just those students who are most
flexible or the best kickers. Do not get me wrong working on
stretching and kicking skills is an important aspect of
martial arts, however I do not believe it should be the
criteria for recognizing excellence athletic gifts.
And, in addition it sends the wrong message - that only
physically talented students deserve extra praise. My
students instead receive honors and recognition for
accepting the
Seung-ni Reading Challenge.
That is, to graduate with honors and receive a special belt
and patch, my students must select and read a book of their
own choosing for a minimum of 20 minutes at least 3 days a
week.
-
Fifth, what type of
Role Models is the school presenting to its
students?
Instructors play a vital role in the proper nurturing of a
Taekwondo student children look up to Black Belts and seek
to emulate not only their physical skills but also the
achievements they have made in other parts of their life. My
entire Black Belt staff are not only professionally trained
martial arts instructors but they also already have their
College Degrees or are in the process of pursuing their
college education. I strongly believe that achievement in
education and martial arts should run hand in hand in a
child’s life. Indeed, it is my personal mission to mentor
and encourage every one of my students to strive for and
obtain their college degrees as well as their black belt
-
Sixth, how does the school teach its students to be
charitable?
Many schools don’t even bother to show their student’s the
importance of giving to those less fortunate. This is
unfortunate, because through out the long history of martial
arts, humbleness and compassion have been the core values
that have set martial artists apart from their peers. At
Seung-ni, every one of my students take part in our
Annual Scholarship Program.
By participating in various fundraising activities, students
witness first hand how their charitable efforts result in
giving an unprivileged child the opportunity to train in
Taekwondo.
-
Seventh, how is the school’s Tuition Price Structured?
As with any investment the cost of a martial arts program
should be evaluated. But please be aware that simply basing
your decision solely on price is comparable to calling up a
car dealership and asking generally
“How much are your cars." As explained above not all martial
arts programs are the same, In addition, the way schools
charge is often very different. Many schools might appear to
have a lesser monthly tuition but they generally more than
make up for any savings by charging large fees (e.g.,
$40-$50) for every test their students must take on their
way to black belt. As a former student myself; I always
believe these testing fees to be an unfair hidden cost; and,
as an instructor I believe it is important that there be no
financial incentive tied to a student’s advancement.
Accordingly, my students pay
No Additional Charges For Belt Or Testing Fees.
I hope
this list of important points to consider will assist you in
selecting the right martial arts program for your
child. And, please feel free to call me or stop in at
the Seung-ni Academy if you need any additional information
or would like to take advantage of our
FREE,
no strings attached introductory lesson offer for your son
or daughter (which includes a genuine Taekwondo uniform).
Master
Joshua Cox
Master Instructor & School Owner |
