Has your child expressed an interest in learning Taekwondo and you want to know what age they should start learning?
Maybe you have heard other children their age are learning martial arts and you don’t want them to fall behind, but aren’t sure if they are the right age or not? Whatever your question might be, we are here with the answers for you!
Learning martial arts, especially Taekwondo, is a fantastic way for children to keep fit and also learn discipline, dedication, and commitment.
Plus, it can be lots of fun for them too and allow them to make new friends! But is there a right age for this? You don’t want your child to miss out on new skills, but you also don’t want them to be in classes that are too advanced for them.
It is a delicate balancing act between the two, and one that many parents worry they are getting wrong.
After all, no one wants their child to miss out, do they? So how can you tell what the right age is for them to learn Taekwondo?
Well, you can read our guide today! We will walk you through the age they should start learning Taekwondo and everything else that you need to know!
What Is Taekwondo?
Before we get into today’s article, let’s have a quick recap for those that need it! Taekwondo is a Korean form of martial arts that uses kicking and punching techniques to defend yourself from your opponent.
There is an emphasis on head-height kicks, fast kicking, and jump kicks which you can expect to see in almost any Taekwondo fight!
Not only is it a fantastic martial art that has been around for centuries, but Taekwondo also teaches people how to enhance their spirit and life through training the body and the mind.
The spiritual side of the martial art allows discipline and dedication to be taught, while also allowing you to become more aware of your mind and body.
Taekwondo has a rich history that can be difficult to summarize! But as you can see, it is a martial art that is sure to teach you more than how to attack someone or defend yourself.
So let’s move on and look at what age you should start learning Taekwondo.
What Age Should You Start To Learn Taekwondo?
So what is the best age to start learning Taekwondo? We recommend between the ages of 6 and 8.
Now this does vary from child to child, and you know your child best, so if they want to start learning at 5, you can enroll them in a beginner class, or you can wait a little longer until they are ready.
The choice is yours! Just be sure that you speak to the instructor of the class first to be sure that it is appropriate for their age.
Older children tend to understand Taekwondo in more depth, especially the spiritual side of it, so if they start learning around the age of 8, they are sure to get a lot out of it!
Most classes for beginners will be targeted towards this age group too, so they are sure to make friends and enjoy themselves when they attend.
The only downside is that at this age they can become distracted, especially when they reach middle school or high school.
We tend to see a lot of children drop out of Taekwondo as they reach their pre-teen and teen years as other commitments like exams and plans with friends become more important than the sport.
With the right instructor and mindset though, your child can remain dedicated to the martial art and continue their training.
However, be sure that you don’t push too hard and force your child to continue with Taekwondo if they are no longer enjoying it.
It would be better to let them explore other interests than be unhappy.
Thankfully, Taekwondo is an excellent martial art and one that can be incredibly fun with the right instructor!
If they are taking exams and progressing, your child will continue to enjoy the sport, especially if they have made friends there too!
Keep all conversations about Taekwondo as positive as possible to show them that it is a fun thing to do! This ensures that they continue with the sport and don’t associate it with any negativity.
Am I Too Old To Learn Taekwondo?
Although we have spent most of today discussing the best age for a child to start learning Taekwondo, let’s briefly look at adults wanting to learn Taekwondo too! The good news is that you are never too old to start learning Taekwondo!
The older you are, the more you are going to understand the philosophy and spiritual side of Taekwondo, ensuring that you get the most out of the martial art!
Now, if you have any injuries then some of the moves might be a little harder for you.
But, don’t worry. Just let your trainer or instructor know and they can help you modify them to best suit you.
Taekwondo can help improve your posture, general health, fitness, anxiety, and confidence! It’s a fantastic skill to learn, not just for self-defense skills, but to improve your quality of life too.
You can always fund Taekwondo beginner classes for adults or seniors too, so you won’t need to partner with children to practice your moves! Why not call your nearest martial arts club today to find out what Taekwondo classes they offer?
Final Thoughts
And there you have it! Although there is no set age to start learning Taekwondo, we recommend that children start learning between the ages of 6 and 8.
Although this is a good guideline to follow, you should help your child pursue Taekwondo when they first show an interest in the sport and support them with this for as long as they are happy to attend classes.
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