The Little Dragons program is for children ages 5,6,7. It is designed to introduce them to the world of Tang Soo Do. The classes are shorter and the curriculum utilizes games and fun activities to get children excited about learning martial arts. However, it is not just a 30 minute play session. On top of very basic martial arts techniques and terminology, classes also focus on:

Respect
Self Discipline
Coordination
Positive Behavior
Confidence
Patience
Concentration
Responsibility
Cooperation
Better Health

Because all children develop at different speeds, there is no set time frame for the Little Dragon program. Although the goal is to graduate the student, around age 7, to a regular youth class, there is no pressure put on the student and he/she may continue in the class until they are ready to move up.

Activities
The Little Dragon curriculum contains many of the basics as in the Standard curriculum. Children here learn the importance of discipline and politeness. Students bow in before class just as in other classes. Then students go through a brief warm up to teach the importance of stretching and excercise. The rest of the class is usually unique from every other day. Students of this age tend to get used to, and bored with repetitive excercises. However, subjects that are taught throughout the year are...
Basic Stances and their Korean Terminology
Basic Kicks and Punches
Balancing activities
Basic Calisthenic games (races, relay races)
Little Dragon forms (collections of coreographed karate moves)
Obstacle Courses
Sah Bum Nim Says (similar to Simon Says, stresses listening skils)
Flag sparring
Many other fun games...

 

Black Belt Point System

The class utilizes the Black Belt Point System. This system is tailored to work with young children, in order to keep them motivated and focused. Children are given Black Belt Points in class when they are following directions, whether when being told or not, when they are performing outstanding in class, or when the instructor sees improvement in the child. Students usually earn from 1-5 points per class. When the students earn a set amount of points (usually 25), they are allowed into the “Tang Soo Do Chest,” which is filled with all sorts of toys and knick-knacks.

This system is not built just to award children with toys. It reinforces the idea of experiencing the consequences for your actions. Indeed, although students are awarded points for good behavior, points are taken away for bad behavior: talking out of turn, not listening to the teacher, not following directions, or acting up in class. Children are not punished in this class. The Black Belt Point system shows young children, in terms they can understand, that good behavior, self discipline, following directions, dedication, and hard work pay off, while bad behavior usually hampers their efforts to get ahead.

 

 

 

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