LIL Dragons/Tiny Tigers (teaching kids)

Discussion in 'Tae Kwon Do Resources' started by Chazz, Jan 18, 2005.

  1. Damjanich

    Damjanich New Member

    Tiny Tiger Parents

    I am thinking about taking my 3 and a half year old son to a Tiny Tiger TKD class. What is your opinion about the class? Have you noticed any change in your child's behavior? How did the constant repetition of "Yes, Sir" impacted him/her?

    Your opinion is appreciated.
     
  2. estranged13

    estranged13 ex video game freak

    is this and ata taekwondo class? if it is be weary i'm not impressed with them at all.

    where are you located? and will you take the class with him? you'd be amazed at what a difference a parent makes in martial arts class instead of just dropping the kid off
     
    Last edited: Nov 1, 2005
  3. KickChick

    KickChick Valued Member

    These types of martial art programs that are directed towards 3-5 year olds.... claim that after a few months of training, these children will show dramatic changes, such as lower anxiety levels, an increase in responsibility, better focus, demonstration of respect, and a higher self-esteem.

    I can only assume that the "constant repetition of "Yes, Sir" .... will teach them respect.
     
  4. cairnsckd

    cairnsckd Banned Banned

    Like anything, it would depend on the Instructor(s).

    I created a Tiny Tiger program in my school in 2001, and then forced my step-daughter kicking and screaming to participate. Naa, she actually wanted to do it.

    It certainly has helped her confidence in some areas, and the respect for elders she has now is great.

    We don't advertise the program anymore, as the current 10-12 at each school is certainly more than enough for any Instructor to cope with.

    As all the kids are different, and the way they react and learn from it is also different. It is just as important that the parents support it 100% as well. We've had some near miracles from some Tiny Tigers, yet the parents don't see it, and after a while, pull them out. Shame that the kids never got to reach their full potential in the program.

    Our first batch of ex-Tiny Tigers go for their Black Belt tests this December. We're pretty excited. They've done just so well to keep it up and get to where they are.
     
  5. Kwajman

    Kwajman Penguin in paradise....

    When I used to assist in the class, ours was called "Little Dragons", it was a lot of fun. We stressed balance, confidence building, respect, and the ability to follow directions. I think the classes are a great tool for MA students.
     
  6. G50

    G50 Night Owl

    Usually in a Tiny Tiger class, The kids learn the basics, like respect, discipline, and regular techniques. I've seen a 5 year old go from non-disciplined and disrespectful to gradually becoming a disciplined and respectful child in a year, and got better and better as the years went on.
     
  7. neryo_tkd

    neryo_tkd Valued Member

    no wonder. that's actually the main purpose of such programs, as well as the development/improvement of motoric skills.
     
  8. blue_sky

    blue_sky New Member

    In my club there's one group for kids. They are 6 and 7 years old and they have trained for three months. They are so kind and simpatic and they have great fun here in our club. I think that groups like this one are great for kids and there should be more stuff like this for children. :)
     
    Last edited: Dec 10, 2005
  9. Area 51

    Area 51 New Member

    I train in blue_sky's club and i have seen the kids program. it's great. they are our little dragons. when they grow up and become juniors and seniors they will win everything there is to win. They Will Fly Like Dragons :)
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 10, 2005
  10. Thomas

    Thomas Combat Hapkido/Taekwondo

    Nice comments to hear about someone's club! :)

    It's funny because as an instructor, I've never really been too fond of children's programs, children with black belts, and so on. The stereotypes are out there.

    But as I watch the children in our program grow and develop great martial arts skills and the great character traits that we like to see in well mannered, responsible citizens, I am always overwhelmed. Not only do these programs pull these kids away from eye cancer (TV/Video games/ etc) but they help keep kids in shape and teach them to be responsible young people. I am constantly surprised by their insights and their comprehension of the botht he physical and mental. Maybe something about the Buddhist "Child Mind", huh?
     
  11. neryo_tkd

    neryo_tkd Valued Member

    blue_sky and Area 51 are my students. it happens very often that my students come early to the club just to watch the kids training.

    i organised the program in such a way that they have 3 gradings, just like the other students in the club have, but the kids from the kids program don't get belts. the entire year they wear their dobok with their white belt.

    next year the kids from the kids group will start training in the beginners group and then they'll start grading for belts. in my club there are no 7 years olds with i don't know how many Dans.
     
  12. Thomas

    Thomas Combat Hapkido/Taekwondo

    Sounds like you got some great students and some great programs going on. You know what they say though? "Students reflect their instructor."

    :love:
     
  13. neryo_tkd

    neryo_tkd Valued Member


    thank you :love:

    but you know, one has to stay in touch with reality. there are parents who think that their kids are something extra extra extra. they are their kids and it's normal that they think that way but still for the sake of those children one should choose another more appropariate approach.

    there were parents and kids who were surprised when they realised that there would be no belts in the kids program.

    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
    one more thing from another group: there is a mother who in the beginning would not allow her children to compete, but then when she accompanied her daughter to her first competition, she started making statements that her son should have also competed because he would have won everyone. i didn't say anything at that point of time to her because i was busy with my competitors but that's not a healthy attitude coming from a parent, especially when parents convince their children that they are better than they actually are. you know that at competitions every child is trying to win and the better one will win. it's pointless to accuse the judges or the refs or whoever for the loss.
     
  14. kwang gae

    kwang gae 광개 Sidekick Specialist

    I like that idea, and when I have my own dojang I'd like to implement it too. Do you think giving them something like a star to sew on their dobok's would work as a reward? I'm big on rewards for good work, but I too don't like the idea of a 12 year old 7th Dan.

    Neryo asked me to post the rules for TKD Dodge Ball in this thread, and so I'm going to do my best. I'm not sure where this game comes from, but the kids have been playing it in our school forever, and they love it.

    First you split up into two teams, (the kids favorite is to be kids vs. adults), then we put a soft bouncy ball in the center of the dojang on the floor and everyone backs away to the far walls. The "Shijak" command signals a mad scramble for the ball.

    The game then proceeds like regular dodge ball with the exception that you can use any TKD blocks to avoid getting hit. So if a ball is coming at your legs and you throw a low block and hit the ball away you're still in. You can punch the ball away, or kick it away too. If you catch the ball, the person who threw it is out. We also emphasize "voids" where you basically sidestep or turn away to avoid getting hit.

    Two other rules, if the ball hits the ceiling the one who through or kicked it is out, and if you dodge the ball but it bounces off the wall and comes back to hit you you're still out.

    Finally, sometimes we add a second ball to speed up the game if we're running late.
    Enjoy!
     
  15. We have them too.

    And they're just incredible. I've had some of these kids talk to me about how I shouldn't drink coca-cola or eat at McDonalds, and that they don't. Also when [at whatever age it is] they get to join the regular classes as white belts they are at a very decent level. I've seen them doing side kicks and turning kicks and they're technique is actually very good.

    They also do written and reading tasks with obvious educational benefits as well as doing fire safety. [One of our yellow belts is the Chief Fireman of his town]

    So to the people who believe it's a money spin-off. Our Little Dragons would convince you otherwise I'm sure.
     
  16. lord s

    lord s Valued Member

    Teaching?????

    Hi all
    I'v been working as a TKD instructor for a while now, but sometimes I have some problems with the little kids (KG1, KG2).
    my instructor told me when teaching them poomsies, if they make a mistake make them repeate all over again, and that works with him, after few times you find the kid holding up a serious face, but with me, no one cares, they just start blowing with their mouths and such stuff
    can you please give me few tips for teaching forms and kicks for little kids?
    thanks
     
  17. angry

    angry Valued Member

    You need to either be more of an authority figure in the view of the child (which may mean changing some of your mannerism and sayings) or make each part of the form into a game in which the goal is to get it as close to right as they can. Of course if you are not really enthusiastic about teaching them, they will not be very interested in practising them when there are much more interesting things to do. Your intructor being older than you I assume will automatical be more respected by younger children. Read up on how to teach that age group and try a few things. Not everything will work for you and not everything will work with every child. Have fun now. :p
     
  18. Anth

    Anth Daft. Supporter

    They've probably seen your website ;)
     
  19. robertmap

    robertmap Valued Member

    Hi,

    I like the website :)

    With kids the rules are...

    1) You need the patience of a saint (A major saint not any old saint).
    2) Whatever you ask them to do - DO IT YOURSELF.
    3) Make it enjoyable (that's not 'fun' but not 'military style' either).
    4) Remember kids are NOT little adults - they need different tuition methods.
    5) Kids bodies are still growing - don't damage them with knuckle press-ups or whatever.
    6) They are probably NOT interested in 'Street self defence' or training for the next 50 years to become a master so keep it light hearted.

    and the most important rule...

    If you want to be a good teacher of kids you have to like teaching kids.

    All the best.

    Robert.
     
  20. neryo_tkd

    neryo_tkd Valued Member

    i know this thread is long, but do read it and make sure to check out the provided links. they are worth it. i also teach kids and i don't believe in the military style. with so little you can accomplish a lot.

    i think the most important thing is that you discuss the rules with the kids. make them simple and not many. when the kids understand them and see that you stick to them they will too.

    also whenever you can organise the training as a competition. they love it and are motivated. if you practice forms, then you will tell them which form you are about to practice and that those who do something wrong are ''thrown out'' (not in these words please). you'll see that they will give their best.

    but also make sure to reward them if they behave good throughout the training. i always do.

    and one more thing. at the end of the training, the kids line up, we bow and then they leave. but they don't simply just line up, i tell them that i'm going to count to 5 and they have to run to the place where we line up, if they do it ok, they get to play a game next training, if not, they are ''punished'' immediately with stand ups or something like that.
     

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