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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.
Taekwondo is at the core of what Tiger-Rock Martial Arts teaches. Taekwondo is more than just a self-defense fighting style. It also teaches students how to respect and care for others. The official Tenets of Taekwondo include Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self Control, and indomitable spirit.
Tiger-Rock Martial Arts has divided the Tenets of Taekwondo in 7 life skills. The life skills we teach cultivate the tenets Taekwondo teaches. One of the ways we help students be courteous is through sharing. We want students to treat others like they want to be treated, so taking turns is a step in the right direction.
Courage and attitude help develop integrity and perseverance. Without a positive outlook and courage, students are unable to achieve their goals. Instructors help students believe in themselves even when they have failed. Courage and perseverance lead to humility and eventually victory.
For greater self-control, students must master the skill of listening. Self-control comes hand-in-hand with self-discipline. The first skill we teach students is listening. Listening requires focus with the eyes, mind, and body. Once students can listen without challenge, they can start taking control of their impulses.
Students will unfortunately not have the opportunity to master all 7 skills in the Juniors program. However, as long each of the skills is improved upon in their lives, eventually, they'll become an indomitable spirit. Nothing will be able to defeat our students when having mastered all 7 life skills.
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.
Students must listen to learn. In fact, listening is arguably the most critical skill we teach students. Without having the ability to listen and retain information, students are unable to achieve their goals. Learning to listen improves focus and self-discipline. In turn, these skills pave the way for greater opportunities.
Before students can become leaders, they must follow. Obeying parents and teachers is a must if students want to become respectable and responsible individuals. Following directions helps students develop respect for others. Additionally, sharing with others is also a form of respect and leadership.
Self-discipline is improved upon through patience. If students are able to wait patiently without getting upset, then they have great self-control over themselves. A great quality in a leader is patience. Without it, leaders make decisions that can hurt those they are leading.
A positive attitude is known to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Students within the Juniors program most likely do not suffer from these ailments now. Nonetheless, numerous things can cause such feelings. A positive attitude helps students overcome terrible feelings and obstacles within their lives.
A leader takes risks for the community they are leading. Our students learn how to be brave by knowing humility and having perseverance. Students learn their first attempt may not be a success. For that reason, students need to have the courage to try again and again. Courage and perseverance lead to success.
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.