What Are the Benefits of Taekwondo for Kids? Physical Strength and Balance One of the main benefits of taekwondo is improving a childs strength and balance. Because taekwondo depends on kicking, practitioners learn to balance their weight on one leg to leave the other one free to strike. This also helps strengthen the muscles of the torso. Taekwondo can also help improve coordination. Arm and leg muscles become stronger as a child practices strikes. Concentration Learning the patterns and sequences of taekwondo requires concentration and attention, and sparring requires focus on both ones self and ones opponent. Taekwondo teaches breathing and meditation techniques to assist in learning focus. Discipline and Respect Taekwondo students must learn to follow directions from an instructor and are expected to show respect to the instructor. Students are also expected to show respect to their opponents before and after a sparring match. Dont expect taekwondo to turn a hard-to-discipline child into an angel, though. But you might see an improvement in general politeness. Self-confidence As children dedicate themselves to a goal in taekwondo -- say, learning a particular strike, earning a belt or practicing how to break a board -- they gain confidence as they observe their own progress and increasing mastery. This self-confidence can then be carried over into other areas of your childs life. Reduced Aggression Taekwondo will not teach your child self-defense skills to directly deter bullies, but taking taekwondo might prevent your child from becoming a bully. A study published in Psychology in the Schools in 2008 showed that martial arts participation reduced aggression in boys. The study also showed an increase in bystanders choosing to intervene in a bullying event after taking a martial arts course. by Lori A. Selke, Demand Media
Posted on: Tue, 15 Apr 2014 06:46:57 +0000
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