The Vidalia Karate School, which is located at 105 SE Main Street in Vidalia, is affiliated with the American Taekwondo Association (ATA) and accepts students as young as 4. We understand that children learn at a very young age the meaning of good citizenship, conduct, peer pressure, leadership, confidence, life skills, abduction prevention and self-defense. Many reasons exist for children to beco
me involved in the martial arts. ATA developed a program based on traditional Taekwondo for kids called Karate for Kids. The Karate for Kids system is based on a lifetime learning concept in addition to technical skills. The building blocks for the system are taught through monthly themes such as Self-Control, Courtesy, Integrity, Friendship, Confidence, Self-Awareness, Self-Esteem, Respect, and Dedication. In addition to the internationally recognized Karate for Kids program, the school offers the Taekwondo for Tiny Tigers program, which was developed specifically for children ages 4 to 6. This program offers children a strong foundation in essential character qualities such as courtesy, respect, and discipline. In addition, the program is designed to improve children’s motor skills and enhance their ability to pay attention and follow instructions. All classes are taught using the safest, most enjoyable, and exciting instruction methods available for this age group. Because Tiny Tigers works in conjunction with Karate for Kids, the young children also learn the same monthly themes. Many benefits exist for having children become involved in Taekwondo. One of the greatest benefits is that Taekwondo can help your child focus better. There is a certain discipline that develops quickly among new students. Within only a couple weeks of training, one can recognize a shift in a student’s ability to pay attention and follow instructions. Taekwondo strengthens not only the muscles, but the mind as well. They have fun while in class and take pride in knowing that they are learning techniques that most kids don’t know. From the very first day in class, students are challenged to think as much as they act. They are learning to follow instructions while coordinating hand and leg work. Learning new techniques and Form sequences all take concentration and provide a challenge. A student can’t move up in rank without showing those characteristics at an age-appropriate level. As students advance, their level of precision and the intricacy of their techniques become more challenging and repetitious. Together, these factors help students maintain techniques in long term memory so that whether in martial arts class or in the real world, they are able to react without the “shock factor” for self-defense and abduction prevention. It’s exercising their ability to focus, react appropriately and have self-control in their actions. Students are trained to focus by tuning out other things around them when they are in martial arts class. Focus training is transferable to school and to the home because they have learned how to not be distracted so easily. Also available at the school are family programs, which offer parents and children the opportunity to learn and have fun together. “Our curriculum is designed to inspire and encourage each student at any age. Most importantly, with the positive training offered at Vidalia Karate, the entire family can learn how to maintain a healthy lifestyle and life- saving self-defense techniques.
