What Happens at Your Child’s First Tae Kwon Do Class? A Parent’s Guide

Trying any new activity for the first time can feel a little daunting – especially when you don't know what to expect.
For a child coming to their first Tae Kwon Do class, there might be lots of questions.
What will I have to do?
What if I've never done martial arts before?
Will everyone else be better than me?
Parents often have questions too.
So, if you're thinking about bringing your child along to one of our Tae Kwon Do classes in Whitchurch, Malpas or Oswestry, here's what you can expect.

They Don't Need Any Previous Experience
This is probably the most important thing to know.
Your child doesn't need to know anything about Tae Kwon Do before coming to their first class.
They don't need to know how to kick.
They don't need to be particularly flexible.
And they certainly aren't expected to understand all the terminology or techniques.
Beginners are there to learn.
Every coloured belt and black belt you see in a Tae Kwon Do class started with a first lesson too.

What Should They Wear?
For a first taster class, there's no need to arrive wearing a Tae Kwon Do uniform.
Comfortable clothing that your child can move around in is ideal – for example, a T-shirt with jogging bottoms or similar sports clothing.
If they decide that they'd like to continue training, we can then explain everything they'll need for their regular classes.
There's no need to buy lots of equipment before they've even tried Tae Kwon Do.

Arriving at the Class
If possible, it's a good idea to arrive a few minutes before the class begins.
This gives your child a chance to get comfortable in their surroundings rather than feeling rushed straight into an unfamiliar activity.
They can meet their instructor, see where they'll be training and get an idea of what happens before the lesson starts.
For children who are naturally a little nervous about new situations, those few minutes can make a big difference.

What Happens During the Lesson?
No two Tae Kwon Do classes are exactly the same, but a typical lesson will include a mixture of physical activity and Tae Kwon Do techniques.
Your child might practise things such as:

• Basic stances and movements
• Punches and blocks
• Kicking techniques
• Balance and coordination
• Fitness exercises
• Listening and following instructions

As students progress, they go on to learn more techniques, patterns and other aspects of Tae Kwon Do.
At their first lesson, however, nobody expects them to remember everything.
The aim is simply to join in, have a go and enjoy the experience.

What If My Child Is Shy or Nervous?
That's absolutely fine.
Some children will walk into their first class and immediately want to get involved.
Others may be much more cautious.
A child doesn't need to be naturally outgoing or confident to start Tae Kwon Do.
In fact, one of the reasons many parents choose martial arts is because they'd like their child to become more confident.
Confidence develops over time.
Learning new skills, becoming familiar with the class, getting to know other students and seeing their own progress can all help.

Will Everyone Else Be More Experienced?
There will usually be students at different stages of their Tae Kwon Do journey.
Some may have been training for a relatively short time, while others may have been practising for years.
But that's nothing for a beginner to worry about.
Tae Kwon Do isn't about arriving at your first class and trying to compete with somebody who has been training much longer.
Your child's journey starts with their own first step.
As they continue training, they'll gradually develop their own skills and work towards their own goals.
What Happens After the Taster Class?
The most important question afterwards is a very simple one:
Did they enjoy it?
Ask them what they liked.
What did they find exciting?
Was there something they'd like to learn how to do?
If they've enjoyed their first experience and would like to continue, we can explain the next steps and answer any questions you have about regular training.

Come and Experience a Class for Yourself
Reading about Tae Kwon Do can only tell you so much.
The best way to find out whether your child will enjoy it is to let them experience a class for themselves.
We offer a FREE taster class at our Tae Kwon Do clubs in Whitchurch, Malpas and Oswestry, giving complete beginners the opportunity to meet us, join in and see what Tae Kwon Do is really like before deciding whether they'd like to continue.
There's no need for previous martial arts experience – just come along and have a go.
Book your child's FREE Tae Kwon Do taster class today.
www.tagb-taekwondo.co.uk