children to play taekwondo, would you let yours?

Hello archer. I was perplexed when you mentioned that your son is 5 years old and apparently, a grade 1 student already. Grade 1 schoolers usually had an age bracket between 6 and 7. Taekwondo class is supposed to have different levels of workshop for each individual. It might be better for you to talk with the instructor concerning your son's age. My youngest girl took taekwondo for 12 sessions this past summer. She took part the beginner's level which include a one-on-one training for half an hour with the head instructor. Her bones is still intact, LOL!

Kids get less flexible as they grow up. I wish I took dance and martial arts classes when I was young so I would be stronger, fitter and more flexible. I think martial arts are a good way to train kids how to tolerate pain and persevere, which can probably help in studies or anything later in life. Also it teaches self-defence and self-esteem so your son will turn out more confident! My instructor says the best age to start courses like these would be around 6-8, so it's probably a good idea to wait a little while before joining :)

I do not believe age 5 is too early to start. Martial arts is great to build self esteem, self control, respect and discipline (all values I think kids need). Don't worry the little ones usually just focus on learning the core moves. Most of those places will allow you to come in and preview a class and/or take a free class. When my son was 7 he took JuJitSu and Taekwondo when we lived in Texas and loved it.

Hello,archer1811,i do not have any children,but i think it will be fine for a 5 years old child to practice taekwondo,as i know there are kids doing it at this age. But I agree with you,your child may suffer from some pain after class,it is unavoidable to have minor injury in practising taekwondo,may be you can consider it as a challenge for him so that his mind can be stonger when grow up. I do not think you are wrong not letting him go fot it,if he likes it,you can still let him do it next year.No worry.

I feel that it is all right that children learn and play taekwondo. I have always advocate that children need to know the art of self-defence. It builds their confidence through their interaction with other children. No doubt, confidence can be built in other ways, but I find taekwondo has an added advantage in that they teach children to be independent. Besides, it is easier for little children to adapt and master the art of self-defence.

yes it is great i also learned taekwondo at that age.you shouldn't be overprotective of your kid teach him how to be brave and boost his confidence, to be tough, to be like a man, to be a warrior.when something happens dont cry with him rather encourage him to be the best. failures are just lessons to be learned and to keep in mind never to fail again.give him a choice. when i was a kid i was such a looser in taekwondo but it didn't discourage me at all but have driven me to be the best.

it's better if you talked to your child first. he might be really interested in it and you stopped his interest. he might find it interesting to join when he's a year older already. his interest is now and today, so, you atleast should have talked to him and explained your side and atleast hear him out first. i knew a lot of kids who had learned taekwando even when they are four or five. and they aren't really hurting themselves. they are just having fun. they won't be told to have combats. they will just perform some exercises. and they just think of it like playing a game. most of all, at an early age, kids will be trained on self discipline. it's what they really get from learning martial arts... anne

For the children is good to join classes for self-protection. This is a sport what will be usefull for them too for managing their agression. If there are groups for his age- let him go.

My daughter has been taking taekwondo for several years. She is a Red Belt working towards her Black Stripe. Granted she did not start at five years old, but I do not believe they push the little kids as hard as they do the big kids. For one thing, the little kids will be sparring with kids their own size... when they get to sparring. At first they learn patterns and discipline. The experience also builds self-esteem. I never watch my daughter at class and never even went to a tournament last year. I've been to two and both times she got injured and I cried and wanted to go to her. My husband told me we couldn't and that it was up to them to learn how to recover. It is a learning experience that makes them tough. But like I said, a five year old with little strength will be up against a five year old with little strength. Also, they have good work out. They do the patterns, they do sit-ups, they run. It is great exercise and builds their muscles so that they can handle the sparring. AND, they are not required to compete at competitions. They can just go to classes. It was awhile before my daughter started going to competitions. Now, you should see the shelf full of trophies and wall full of medals. She is very proud, and very strong. The instructors would not allow the children to get seriously hurt. They are taught the proper way to spar so that they don't injure the other person, and they are well protected in gear. I wouldn't worry. I never did worry when we put our daughter in. She brought the subject up to us; we looked into it and agreed. She loves the competitions and does very well at them.

I'd enrolled my son in Taekwando when he was six. As he was an active kid, I'd decided to let him join the club. I'd would want him to start young to instil some discipline in him. So far, there has not been any injuries. Next, I would enrol my daughter who would turn five next year for the sport... I think it does tone down their behavior a little.... For your case, there's always next year, don't worry, he'll not lose out on anything....

I think it is good for young children to start early in martial arts or anything else which they chose. This will help them to be more flexible and really master the techniques so they can have a chance to represent the school or the state one day.

Hello archer1811! I think its ok for a 5 year old to join taekwondo. I took up taekwondo lessons when I was 11 and I had classmates who were a lot younger than me. And yes, there were 5 year old girls who could even beat me up! I would encourage having your kid start early in these kinds of sports so they can be trained about discipline at an early age. Don't worry about your kid getting hurt that much since in taekwondo, the starting levels are just basic kicks and formations. its when they get to a higher level that they start sparring or fighting with each other. Nonetheless, I'm sure your school would have the protective gear for these. I wish your kid all the best when you do decide for him to join taekwondo! :D good luck! I bet he's going to have lots of fun!

i don´t have a child but i think i woult let him if he wants. a martial art is not only fight there are some philosophy and learn this would be great for your son =D

i would let.. its cause its cool, healthy and useful, cause we live in a danger world

Archer you don't have to worry about ruining your childs happyness by not letting him signup for taekwondo. There will be many times during your childs life that you have to say no to things that he wants to do. saying no does not ruin a childs happyness. Childen have to learn to deal with disappiontment and it is easier for them to learn when they are very young. Now as for yourgetting injuries in the sport. Usually these activites are geard to the age of the child so that they are not suppoded to get enjuries. Why not visit with the instructer?

oh and you have terrible grammar, sorry just thought id point that out...

There are people at my TaeKwon-Do school that are 4...its never too young, TaeKwon-Do tournaments( sparring) arent full contact you know...

actually it is good for your son to start young. how i wish i could have started young also. i am now 20 years old. i started taekwondo when i was 17 but i already competed in different competition locally from inter-school to national competitions.