Tiger-Rock Martial Arts has two different programs for children: Tiger-Cubs and Juniors. Both of these programs have similar goals but have different areas of focus. Tiger-Cubs are centered around early-childhood development while Juniors are taught at the elementary school level.
Students between the ages of 4 and 6 are placed in the Tiger-Cubs program. This program helps students learn coordination and balance through symmetrical movements. The brain is still very much developing at these ages and this program aims to stimulate growth.
On the other hand, the Juniors program is for those between the ages of 6 and 11. Students enrolled in this program will learn more advanced Taekwondo methods such as kicks and strikes.
The Tiger-Cubs program helps students develop strong dexterity through symmetrical movements. Symmetrical or bilateral movements are easier than asymmetrical activities. It is best for children to start symmetrical movements because they improve the learning experience for asymmetrical movement. Most importantly, the Tiger-Cubs program lays the groundwork for future martial arts classes.
Your child’s cognitive development is important, but their ability to stand up against strangers and bullies is just as important. Tiger-Rock Martial Arts works with students to pay attention to their surroundings, spot potential dangers, and prevent bullying. These few skills help students live safer lives and protect themselves.
The Juniors program features more advanced movements, such as strikes and kicks. These exercises help set up the teachings of self-defense, how to handle a bully, and what to do when meeting a stranger. Students learn how to avoid threats to improve their focus and confidence.
The Juniors program teaches students to be good citizens off the mat. We encourage students to listen and look up to authority figures like their parents. We even offer an Honors Program for students who show excellence during their training. The Honors Program helps students receive specific leadership skills through specialized activities.
Generally, our classes incorporate kicking, striking, and exercise drills that will help build strength and confidence. Much of our drills are built around repetition, which enhances a child’s ability to focus. Also, this gives your child a foundation in self-defense.
Helping kids become more fit physically is a key concern at Tiger-Rock. That’s why we incorporate various agility and speed exercises for older students to improve their conditioning. Thus, over time, students will begin to build a degree of martial arts athleticism that can prove beneficial if they decide to take up other activities, such as team sports.
Unfortunately, bullying is a very real threat that a lot of kids face. And how kids respond to bullying may determine what path they follow in life. Therefore, we make anti-bullying education a key component of our martial arts lessons. We teach students how to stand their ground and show confidence. Most of the time, the bully will back down. However, in the event the bully does not, we will make sure your child knows important techniques to protect him or herself, get away, and seek an adult.
Like most parents, you are considering enrolling your child into a kids martial arts class so they can learn how to protect his or herself. We teach numerous defensive and evasion tactics as part of our self-defense training. However, there’s another key element: awareness. Students learn how to be aware of their surroundings and of strangers, and how to react appropriately.
In order to provide the most effective instruction, we focus on being positive, encouraging, and reassuring. Our instructors are not drill sergeants. We encourage students to learn at their own pace. Most of all, we want students to participate. No one sits on the bench at Tiger-Rock! Altogether, Tiger-Rock students enjoy a great atmosphere where they can learn, grow, and have fun.
Tiger-Rock Martial Arts of McKinney is happy to report that we’ve never had a child suffer a serious injury on our mat. This is a testament to making sure that our kids martial arts lessons are safe for all participants.
Indeed, martial arts is a physical activity, just like baseball, basketball, football, or hockey. And with any physical activity, there is a risk for getting hurt. However, we make sure that we demonstrate the proper way to perform each technique so students can avoid injury. Plus, we always encourage parents to let their child learn martial arts as the pace they are most comfortable with.
In short, no. Martial arts is not violent. And real martial arts do not focus violence or start fights. Martial arts is about controlling the mind, the body, and the spirit. In fact, self-control is one of our key tenets of taekwondo. Even though kids learn kicks and strikes in our classes, we always remind students that these moves are defensive in nature.
Your child does not have to be a gifted athlete to participate in martial arts. One of the most welcoming aspects about martial arts is that regardless of your athletic ability, you can learn, grow, and succeed on the mat. All in all, this helps build your child’s self-confidence and self-esteem.
For most of the year, our kids martial arts classes are held immediately after local school districts release their students for the day. Unsurprisingly, our academy is a popular after school activity.