Teaching Children

TEACHING CHILDREN TAEKWONDO – More of What you need to know

You may have heard it before, the saying, ‘Children are not “Miniature Adults”, yet many martial arts instructors fail to understand this concept. Would you ever dream of sending your child to a school where you knew that none of the teachers had undergone any form of teacher training or even had a course in child psychology and child development? Continue reading “TEACHING CHILDREN TAEKWONDO – More of What you need to know” »

Getting Girls and Women to Practice Taekwondo

I have no doubts most genuine, caring, instructor can see the value of teaching young members of our society lessons, both physically and mentally, through the martial arts. But are we reaching out to all children, or are there some Continue reading “Getting Girls and Women to Practice Taekwondo” »

Why do You Teach Taekwondo to Children?

Have you ever asked yourself the question, ‘Why do I teach children?’ Answer the question carefully, because if it is not in your heart or disposition to teach kids, then you shouldn’t be doing it at all… Have you ever sat back and reflected, ‘What do I teach and how am I teaching? Are the children actually learning something valuable? Martial arts is a Continue reading “Why do You Teach Taekwondo to Children?” »

Is Your Taekwondo Curriculum Suitable for Children?

Traditional martial arts training like Taekwondo is typically looked upon as being very disciplined, so instructors tend to be strict, with a focus on skill development. There is a high element of hierarchy and therefore you would never speak unless spoken to or be allowed to question. The style of teaching is purely didactic, children are expected to obey in silence.  Generally, Continue reading “Is Your Taekwondo Curriculum Suitable for Children?” »

Coming of Age in your Taekwondo Training

Many of us think of ‘Coming of Age’ as turning 18 or 21. While this is known to be true for young adults as a milestone in life’s journey, a similar occurrence takes place for those who practise the martial arts journey long term. To me, coming of age in your martial arts training, takes place around age 40, plus or minus a few years, depending on the individual. Continue reading “Coming of Age in your Taekwondo Training” »

Kids Taekwondo – Getting Fun and Enjoyment in Your Classes

From personal experience, one of the key reasons any student will continue to do the activity of martial arts is because they enjoy it and have fun, particularly children. The key is to get a balance of fun and skill learning in your classes and Continue reading “Kids Taekwondo – Getting Fun and Enjoyment in Your Classes” »

Children’s Taekwondo Classes – Some Important Ideas

For those of us that have run children’s classes long term, we may have seen a drop in the age 7 – 11 group and teenagers recruitment over time and are quick to blame ‘competition’ (what many instructors consider other martial arts clubs in the vicinity) or ‘recession’ (people simply have no money!). Continue reading “Children’s Taekwondo Classes – Some Important Ideas” »

Teaching Children Martial Arts in the New Millenium

BUDO BLACKBELT MAGAZINE, No. 24, December

Today a number of alternative views abound on teaching children – many successful ideas have been explored, for example interactive-homework based programmes, specifically designed to bridge the Martial Arts history lesson.  Continue reading “Teaching Children Martial Arts in the New Millenium” »

Teaching Children – What you Need to Know

BUDO BLACKBELT UK Magazine, No. 36, Dec 2003

This article is about physical aspects that should be taken into consideration when teaching children martial arts and emphasizes why an adult training regime is not suitable for a young child. Continue reading “Teaching Children – What you Need to Know” »

The Strength Behind the Taekwondo Master

MARTIAL ARTS ILLUSTRATED December 1999, Vol.12, No.7, p.122 – 126

This article is about Catarina Murphy, wife of Frank Murphy and how she became involved in Taekwondo and eventually as a full time professional Martial Arts Instructor. It takes you through her initial days of training with the T.A.G.B.(Taekwondo Association of Great Britain), then the G.T.I. (Global Taekwondo International) and her influences as a young Teakwondo student which included the likes of Tony Sewell, Shabir Akthar, Kim Stones and Geoff Thompson.  Continue reading “The Strength Behind the Taekwondo Master” »

Taekwondo Club – Using Record Cards

Record cards are a very important tool in your school, especially when you are teaching children and dealing with parents. They give details of the students attendances, when they graded last, perhaps some comments related to the individual, when they were tagged last so at a glance the instructor and the student can monitor their progress. In this way, when little Johnny’s mum questions you why her child isn’t grading or achieving something in particular, you can pull out the attendance card which will clearly indicate lack of attendance etc to back up your argument. Continue reading “Taekwondo Club – Using Record Cards” »

Taekwondo Parent – Instructor – Student Triangle

Many instructors sometimes wish that they could eliminate the parent from the equation when it comes to teaching children because they ask awkward questions such as:

‘Why isn’t Johnny grading?’

‘Can you improve my child’s discipline?’ Continue reading “Taekwondo Parent – Instructor – Student Triangle” »

Taekwondo Instructor – Meeting the Concerns of Parents

I can safely say that most parents who visit Taekwondo schools are under the impression that it is simply about kicking and punching, and all they care about is whether the child is actually enjoying the activity. That level of understanding was borne out of the movies and a lack on the industry’s behalf to educate parents about the benefits the martial arts can have as an educational dimension for children. Continue reading “Taekwondo Instructor – Meeting the Concerns of Parents” »