Is Tae Kwon Do good for my 4 year old son to do?

Question

At my local class they can begin a aged 4 but my partner thinks it will just teach him to fight, however i don't agree. What do you think? Also do you think children so young would like it?

Answer 1

Very good.

It will teach him discipline and give him a real respect for others.
He will learn the hard way, from a man or woman who isn't afraid to punish him if he misbehaves.

As well as developing his muscles, he'll learn spacial awareness, flexibility and learn not to hit other kids.

The thing it will not do is teach him how to fight. He will have the reassurance that fighting isn't necessary, and release his natural anger and frustrating in a healthy and supervised manner.

Answer 2

I would wait until he's around 5 or 6 yrs old, unless you think he's mature enough at that age to take up the class, otherwise he may not learn it, and if the class is good at teaching, and keeping the children's interests by using teaching games and game days for other off night classes.

Martial Arts teaches more than fighting, it teaches focus, can help with improve his grades at school, teach good exercise habitsfor your son and, meet new friends, but most of all it will teach disipline and respect.

at the MA school I go to, we teach starting at 5 yrs old.

but it's ultimately up to you, try out a trial week or month of classes if the school offers it, if he likes it, you could keep him enrolled, if he doesn't seem to like it then you can pull him out without signing a set contract.

Answer 3

My son was in Tae Kwon Do when he was 6 years old. I think that it was beneficial to him in a lot of ways. He learned about discipline and respect. He learned about "stranger danger", things that were not "alright" for a non-stranger to do. His class was only 30 minutes long, so it fit his attention span. I think, in your case, if the class is not too long, or too strict, it would be great. If I were you, I would attend a class or two with your partner and see if you like the instructor, see if they are patient, see how long the class is, see what your general feeling is about it. Good luck!

Answer 4

My son started when he was 4. He is 7 now. I never had any problems with him wanting to fight. He always tells me that it is only to be used in self defense. Not when you're mad at someone.
A lot depends on the instructor too. In my area they tend to rush you through your belts. We have 8 year old running around with black belts. There is no way that should happen. My friends son got his black belt in 18 months. My son has been doing this for 3 years now, he still has quite a few years to get to black belt.
Bigger schools aren't always the best. Usually the most expensive. My son goes to a small school but it has been around for 25 years. They keep it small on purpose. So they can give more attention to the students. I pay $45 a month. The larger school in town charges $100 a month.

Answer 5

Really it depends on the maturity level of your 4 year old as well as the teaching style of the school.

Martial arts is very good at teaching both mental and physical discipline. Sure, he could use it to fight. However, part of the lessons of (good) martial arts instruction is learning that you don't need to. Of course, there are those unfortunate, but rare, situations where one finds oneself with no alternative. In those situations it is darned comforting to know that you have the skills to survive against a larger or more numerous foe.

Answer 6

Yes! TKD is a great way to get your child excersising at an early age and doing something productive. It'll teach him responsibility (when the time comes), control, respect, confidence, maturity, etc. I've seen many kids go from brats to nice kids just through martial arts. However, scope out the instructor first and make sure he's good with kids and knows what he's doing.

Answer 7

All kids are different, but here's what happened with my son. He's an impulsive, wild but loveable and well-meaning kid who BEGGED for karate for over a year. I kept saying no because I didn't think he needed any extra incentive to hit and kick. Finally, at age 6, I agreed to a one month free trial. It was the BEST thing I ever enrolled him in.

The karate teachers all emphasize "using your power for good" and following "the code of the Samurai," in trying to work toward peace on the planet. It's been especially effective for my son to have all these older boys and men model self-controlled behavior while appearing powerful and capable.

My son has ADHD, and, I kid you not, karate has done more good for him than Concerta, Adderall and Strattera ever did. In fact, tonight he's getting a first place trophy for "Best Discipline" in the karate school. This from a kid who couldn't control his behavior at all.

Now, I'm not trying to tell you it's a perfect sport for every kid, but it really made a difference for mine. It may be worth a try.

and, don't worry about the hitting/kicking outside of class. Every karate school I've heard of has a policy that if the kids use their techniques outside of the class or in an inappropriate setting they lose their belt (rank.)

good luck!

Answer 8

I remember when I was like 6-7 my parents were thinking of letting me do Tae Kwon Do, I always thought it would be alot of fun, ended up being too expensive though. I'd say it would be really important who is teaching it, you don't want some crazy.

Answer 9

Yes its very good for him. It will teach him good values and most schools will make as a motivation for advancing that he gets good grades in school.

An instructor I had many years ago told me a child can start as early as 3.

If you is going to start him this early, at age 4, the only advice I would give you is to get him good nutrition. Make sure you is feeding him real well and you is giving him fish oil specifically for children.

Nutrition is very important with sports, regardless of the sport or martial art.

Answer 10

Hi, the first thing they tech the children is how to avoid confrontations and fights. I think this sort of thing is good for children. All three of mine went to karate classes. They loved being part of a group and went to competitions etc. None of them have ever used it in fighting. Good luck, i hope you both agree, maybe you should take him along to a few lessons just to watch. Maybe that will allay any fears.