Empowering Children
Children are the most important people in the world, and they need to be nurtured. When senior instructors help students become more honorable and trustworthy, the students begin to form and maintain nurturing relationships. Our instructor-to-student relationships help us improve our character and shape our future. Our Students learn to support each other wholeheartedly with po
sitive reinforcement to learn in. Our students receive no criticism or punishment. Rather than pointing out the wrong way, we show them a better way by redirecting or correcting the of faith, movements and techniques. We are a family and we trust each other in a spirit of faith, support and camaraderie. We also downplay competition. Young children can’t distinguish between winning/losing in a competition and winning/losing in real life. When children lose in a contest, they often feel like they have lost in life as well. Since the child is till forming his or her sense of self, this belief is negative reinforcement and detrimental to their growth. Even in school, Children compete against each other for high grades and praise, and much of the curriculum involves abstract analytical skills and facts. At Choi Kwan Do , we understand that learning comes not only from the intellect, but also from interactions with other people and knowing that you really can achieve your goals. Children at Choi Kwan Do learn to encourage others to grow, to support each other, to be patient, to share, to behave with decorum and to compassionately relate with, rather than compete against, each other. In our protective, affirming environment, children can relax, make friends, learn, enjoy their training, and develop pride with humility. They learn to keep a clear, strong mind; they learn about commitment and persistence; they learn that achievement takes time; and they learn to stay focused until they achieve their goals. There are no losers at Choi Kwan Do. Choi Kwan Do also teaches patience, and our students are rewarded for their patience with our progressive belt system. We start white belt and go all the way up to high more confidence because they learn higher skills and techniques. Each belt is a short term goal, which motivates and positively reinforces further achievement. When students reach their goal, we reward them with their new belt and celebrate in a ceremony with all the other students and the instructors. Students feel very special when they receive their belt in this way. This goal –orientated system helps them gain a sense of accomplishment as they progress through the system. Their Pil Sung spirit means that, even if they don’t succeed, they will stand up and try again. At the start of every class, students recite a children’s promise –a mission statement for them to follow, not just at Choi Kwang Do but also at home and at school. Children promise
To always do my best and never give up
To obey my parents and teachers
To tell the truth and honor my word
To always be polite
To never misuse whatever I learn in class
