1. Confidence

Photo Credit: SolheimPhotography_Linda

Most of all, my niece has gained so much more self-confidence. She's still timid around strangers, which is actually a good thing, but she carries herself with more poise and she's more confident around people she knows, especially adults. Being confident is so important, especially for little girls!

2. Respect

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For the first few weeks, and even now, much of the classes are spent instructing respect. Respect for the self, for others, and for the art. All three are incredibly important, and I've noticed an improvement in my niece's treatment of her parents. She's always been a good child, but she's even more attentive and obedient. Bonus!

3. Fitness

Take a peek inside the nearest dojo and you'll see very few obese or overweight children or adults. Tae kwon do is a sport, so it takes physical strength and if you or your child practice it, you'll notice your fitness and stamina increasing. It's not very good cardio, but it's great for flexibility, balance, and strength.

4. Friends

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If your child is shy, and has a hard time making new friends, doing tae kwon do will help them with that, too. She'll already have something in common with the other children who practice at the dojo, and you'll already know they have similar values and attitudes.

5. Focus

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Learning and practicing a martial art will also help increase your child's focus and concentration. They'll have to listen to their master, and the other older students, and they'll have to focus on their forms and kicks to make progress.

6. Responsibility

Once your child begins moving up in the ranking of belts, you'll notice that she's a little more responsible. She wants to help the lower belts and younger kids, and she'll want to learn and do more, along with the extra time she'll have to spend to achieve these goals.

7. Dedication

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Tae kwon do, like other sports and arts, takes a lot of time, and the amount of time a child practices is reflected in how well they do. This is a great way to show your child a link between dedication and reward!

8. Persistence

Tae kwon do isn't easy, but what in life worth having is easy? It's a great way for your child to learn persistence, that if first they don't get that new belt, to keep trying, keep practicing.

These are just a few of the advantages of enrolling your child in tae kwon do, along with many other sports and activities. I especially noticed a big difference in my niece's persistence, confidence, and respect to her elders, which was so fantastic! It's amazing to see this sweet little blonde girl doing all of these kicks, too! So unexpected!

Does your child practice any of the martial arts? Have you noticed any personality or fitness changes? Please share with me!

Top Photo Credit: chibij918