If you are a parent with children, you may have at least once looked for a Taekwondo or Karate school for your child. As you know, Taekwondo or Karate has many positive influences on children, both physically and mentally. Through martial arts, children can learn confidence, responsibility, self-de- fense, respect, and discipline, enabling them to control themselves. Therefore, it is crucial to choose the right martial art for your child.

        In today’s society, many children engage in visual and auditory activities through exposure to various media, leading to a lack of utilization of other sensory organs, such as fine motor skills. This sedentary lifestyle contributes to obesity and reduces the time children spend with others, robbing them of opportunities for direct experiences. Recent studies indicate that over 80% of children aged 4 to 7 have more than 2.5 hours of screen time on average, and children aged 8 to 12 use smartphones or iPads for over 5 hours a day. As a result, issues such as delayed language development, weakened concentration, excessive behavioral disorders, internal anxiety, and aggression are reported. Conse- quently, parents are increasingly seeking martial arts for both physical and mental support.

            However, many parents face difficulties in choosing a martial arts school.

         Having a martial arts school located near your home means a shorter commute time. This trans- lates to reduced commuting time for your child, making it easier for them to regularly attend classes. Regular participation in classes becomes a significant factor in the skill development and progress of your child. If parents have to drive for more than 30 minutes daily for their children’s activities, even if it’s a good martial arts school, parents may become fatigued, and the frequency of class attendance may decrease. Therefore, to increase the participation rate in your child’s classes, it is recommended to choose a location close to home. Knowing 2-3 different routes can also be helpful. Especially in Peachtree City, traffic tends to be heavy from 4 to 6:30 pm, so knowing alternative routes in advance can reduce driver fatigue.

         The concepts of martial arts for kids, such as confidence, respect, self-defense, etc., are similar. Therefore, if you are not familiar with martial arts, it can be challenging to determine which martial art is better for your child. Rather than choosing a martial art style that you are not familiar with, it is better to find a martial arts academy with an experienced instructor who understands children well. Taekwon- do, being an educational discipline, is best learned from an instructor who has received education on teaching young children.

*It’s recommended to check the ‘About’ section on the school’s website and find information about the instructors.

         Once you have found nearby martial arts schools and verified who the instructor is, the next step is to sign up for a FREE Trial Class to determine if the martial art is a good fit for your child. Most martial arts schools have websites, where you can sign up for a FREE Trial Class. Since a trial class is usually Free, don’t hesitate to apply for one. Before signing up for a FREE Trial Class, check the schedule in advance to ensure it doesn’t overlap with your other events. If you cannot attend the trial class on the scheduled date due to unavoidable circumstances, contact the school to reschedule.

         When participating in the FREE Trial Class, wear training attire or comfortable clothing (long pants, long or short sleeves, shorts). Bring a personal water bottle that your child can use during breaks. Arrive 5 minutes early to allow the instructor time to introduce your child, making them more comfortable participating in the class.

         Avoid martial arts schools with belt promotion criteria based on attendance or automatic pro- motion. Since martial arts schools are also businesses, the more students undergo promotion as- sessments, the more beneficial it is for the school’s income. Therefore, a school with fewer students participating in assessments may incur losses. That’s why most martial arts schools use attendance or automatic assessment criteria. In many martial arts disciplines, belt promotions are established as formal or customary events. The most important aspects evaluated during regular assessment are the attitude and enthusiasm towards the assessment. It involves confidently demonstrating what one has practiced in front of many people and persevering through difficulty and discomfort until the end. Through this, your child can receive recognition for their hard work, gaining a sense of accomplishment and confidence. Therefore, it is essential to avoid martial arts schools where the criteria for belt pro- motion are based solely on attendance or automatic promotion. The martial arts schools that conduct assessments every month or those promising a black belt within 1-2 years should be avoided for the sake of your child.