Martial arts training, and especially taekwondo training, is an excellent activity for children to move around and not only develop their coordination but also positive social interactions through repetitive, challenging exercises coupled with good manners. In addition to a safe environment, the Mount Shasta Martial Arts Program (MSMAP) strives to create a supportive and rewarding environment that invigorates the participants and refreshes their outlook towards training. With these skills, training with MSMAP allows participants to develop a positive attitude when facing other challenges at home, school, and everywhere.
 

• Discipline, Confidence, and Respect
• Bullying & Self-Defense
• The Power of a Good Example
• Excellent Entertainment for Parents
• Safety is Rule #1
• Summary
• References

 
Discipline, Confidence, and Respect (Return to Top)
The MSMAP training program is based upon “The 5 S’s”: self-training, self-discipline, self-defense, self-confidence, and self-respect. Emphasizing the The 5 S’s, martial arts training becomes an activity that reinforces positive characteristics. For parents, “allowing your child to receive martial arts training is not opening up a door to violence, it is opening a door to building a solid foundation of self-esteem and confidence.”^Haley Participants are not learning mayhem. Through rigorous and consistent physical training, they instead learn a variety of skills including self-discipline and self-respect laying the foundation for the ability to conduct themselves well with others.

“The study of the martial arts holds great potential as a stabilizing factor in the lives of children. Ideal for all ages, it especially provides a unique opportunity for children to develop mind and body, to gain strength and integrity and to have fun.”^Martin

One study investigated the martial arts training of couples and families and found that “martial arts parents consistently report that their child’s involvement in martial arts has helped their children develop and practice respect for both the self and for other people.”^Lantz

David Law suggests that taekwondo fulfills the five basic needs of human beings (per William Glasser’s basic needs theory): belonging, power, fun, freedom, survival. “Through strict discipline, taekwondo trains both the mind and the body, placing great emphasis on the development of the moral character. In other words, control of the mind, self-discipline, kindness and humility much accompany the physical grace.”^Law

Another study further outlines how martial arts training can be of substantial benefit. Twemlow states that “martial arts show promise for helping a particularly problematic group—violent adolescents. The literature suggests that the key therapeutic elements are the teacher as role model, the use of physical exercise, the philosophy of ethical behavior and restraint, and group participation.”^Twemlow
 

 
Bullying & Self-Defense (Return to Top)
“So what can a parent do to help protect their child when they are at the mall, out walking with a friend or waiting for the school bus? Simple, encourage them to enroll in a martial arts program and learn at least the basics of self-defense.”^Perry

Self-defense is a key component to the curriculum of MSMAP. Our goal is to familiarize children with the idea that sometimes “wrong is wrong,” recognize and acknowledge bad situations, and then to take steps to remove themselves from a bad situation.

Even more, the instructors of MSMAP pay close attention to helping children and parents deal with teasing and bullying. Although teasing is an unfortunate part of growing up, it “becomes bullying when it is repetitive or when there is a conscious intent to hurt another child” either verbally, psychologically, and/or physically. The numbers are unsettling: an instance of bullying occurs in a school every seven minutes and 20-30% of school-age children are either a victim or a bully.^{Townsend-Butterworth}

The instructors at MSMAP emphasize and actively encourage children to practice basic anti-bullying tactics. Many of these tactics are recommended by various sources as key bully defenses including quickly responding to threats in a self-assured way, acting confidently with strong body language (standing up straight, looking other children in the eye, and speaking firmly).^WebMD Note that neither MSMAP nor others recommend fighting as a bully defense.
 

 
The Power of a Good Example (Return to Top)
In addition, one technique that MSMAP instructors apply and that parents can also apply is to Be a good example of kindness and leadership. Children learn much from the adults around them (parents, family, friends, teachers, etc.). If parents have good manners, children can also learn good manners.

“Your kids learn a lot about power relationships from watching you. When you get angry at a waiter, a sales clerk, another driver on the road, or even your child, you have a great opportunity to model effective communication techniques. Don’t blow it by blowing your top! Any time you speak to another person in a mean or abusive way, you’re teaching your child that bullying is ok.”^{Education.com}

Further, the MSMAP strategy relies upon appealing to a child’s reason and developing sense of fair-play when applying discipline for misbehaviour. Rather than using physical means for discipline, the MSMAP method is to start out by asking if the behavior was good or bad manners (children know the difference) and if they can apologize. For the offended party, the MSMAP method encourages children to speak directly to the offender in a clear manner and communicate their dislike for being pushed or cut in line.
 

 
The long-term effectiveness of a non-physical form of discipline is supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and a recent scientific study. The AAP does not endorse spanking under any circumstance; the AAP states that it’s a form of punishment that becomes less effective with repeated use.

The recent study of 2,500 children determined that physical punishment, specifically spanking, is a strong predictor of violent behavior. In short, violence leads to more violence.

Community-health-sciences professor Catherine Taylor determined that children who were spanked more frequently at age 3 were much more likely to be aggressive by age 5. The reason for this “may be that spanking sets up a loop of bad behavior [that] instills fear rather than understanding.” Children do not necessarily connect the dots of being spanked with inappropriate behavior. “What’s more, spanking sets a bad example, teaching children that aggressive behavior is a solution to their parents’ problems.”^Time.com
 

 
Excellent Entertainment for Parents (Return to Top)
Children 8 years of age and older are encouraged to try taekwondo for two weeks to decide if they like it or not. Children under 8 years old must be accompanied by a parent; the parent(s) can either watch or participate themselves. If participating, parents can do so for free. In fact, Mount Shasta Martial Arts encourages all parents to participate alongside their children.

According to Joyce Roberson, a martial arts expert and author of the “Karate for Kids‘ column, “If any parent is looking for very cheap entertainment for themselves, then karate is it! To see 15 to 20 4-, 5- and 6-year-olds lined up in their white uniforms, going through movements in unison and putting their heart into these efforts, can make a remarkable memory for any parent.”^Haley
 

 
Safety is Rule #1 (Return to Top)
Safety, safety, safety. The safety of all program members is the main priority. Children are not asked to do more than they are ready for and may opt out of any exercise if they feel uncomfortable. All training sessions are under the supervision of one of the MSMAP primary instructors who are attentive to the safety and well-being of the entire group.
 

 
Summary (Return to Top)

1. Everyone can try taekwondo for two weeks.
2. Children 7 years of age and younger must be accompanied by a parent.
3. Safety is Rule #1.

Following the two-week trial period, children and parents must decide if they wish to continue. If no, no worries; thanks for stopping by. If yes, we look forward to many refreshing workouts.
Go to: Taekwondo and Self-Defense
Go to: MSMAP Mission Statement
Go to: Children and Taekwondo
Go to: The 5 S's
Go to: Tiny Tigers Photo Gallery (Action Photos!)

Go to: How to Join MSMAP
 

 
References (Return to Top)
1. Education.com. Ten Actions ALL Parents Can Take to Help Eliminate Bullying.

2. Haley, Carma. “Karate Kids: Children and Martial Arts” Children Today

3. Lantz, Jim. “Family Development And The Martial Arts: A Phenomenological Study” Contemporary Family Therapy 2002; 24(4): 565-580

4. Law, David. “A Choice Theory Perspective on Children’s Taekwondo” International Journal of Reality Therapy 2004; 24: 13-18

5. Martin, Michelle. “Kids Get a Kick Out of Martial Arts” Balanced Living Magazine 2004.

6. Park, Alice. “The Long-Term Effects of Spanking” Time.com, May 3, 2010.

7. Perry, Tenna. “Fighting Back: Children in Martial Arts Save Lives” iParenting

8. Townsend-Butterworth, Diana. “Teasing and Bullying: No Laughing Matter: What you must know – even if you don’t think it affects your child” Scholastic Parents

9. Twemlow, Stuart W., and Sacco, Frank C. "“The application of traditional martial arts practice and theory to the treatment of violent adolescents” Adolescence 1998: Fall.

10. WebMD. "Bullying" 2009.