Kids Taekwondo Classes For Ages 2 and Up- Knoxville TN

Like the word Karate, Taekwondo too is a name that has become synonymous with martial arts in general. At least in the case of TKD, this means martial arts kicking. Though Taekwondo and Karate have several differences, their similarities far outweigh them. Most instructors today have black belts in both.

Kids Taekwondo classes for ages 2 and up can be found in Knoxville, TN. I have earned multiple black belts in TangSooDo, TaeKwondo, and Karate as well as instructor levels in several other styles. Taekwondo classes for 2 and 3 year olds is hard to find in TN, but Master Booe’s Karate Kidz has them.

Incorporated into my BuJuKado Karate system are the techniques of the Korean arts of Taekwondo (the way of the hand and foot) and Tang Soo Do (the China way), as well as techniques from the Japanese arts of Karate-do (the way of the open hand) and Judo (the gentle way).

There are also Filipino Kali and Japanese Kendo that I incorporate as foam weapons arts for kidz. So for 2 year olds, not only will you get Kids Taekwondo classes, but you get so much more.

What Is Kids Taekwondo?

Taekwondo itself is the Korean martial art that primarily focuses on kicking. In the beginning the kicking techniques are learned. Over time speed, power, balance and a host of other things are trained. For kids though, is it primarily the same as for adults?

Kids Taekwondo is practically the exact same as adult Taekwondo. The style itself has evolved into a very sport oriented system that has a set scoring rubric and allowable technique bases. This makes the style smaller and take less time to learn than others by itself.

Taking less time to learn does not negate the fact that simply learning the technique is not the same as perfecting the technique. The style is used by many professionals as an additive system to their others fighting and defense plans, but in a less proficient manner.

Kids training in Taekwondo tend to repeat the same few techniques many thousands of times, but the outcome can be high flying acrobatic kicks. Though these spectacular moves hold little self defense value compared to others, the end result is fairly fun for them and the parents watching.

What Age Should Kids Start Taekwondo

Kidz can start martial arts at any age from 2 and up and benefit from many aspects. Though, some styles are harder for younger kids to understand, some have techniques not appropriate for children, and some styles are even too acrobatic or physically technical for seniors. So, what about Taekwondo for kids?

Kids can start Taekwondo at age 2 provided they are at the proper developmental stage. Parents and instructors should confer after a class or two to come to an agreement on how to proceed. Most 2 year olds can train in TKD with the proper instructor, but all should be evaluated first.

The instructor is a major contributing factor here. If the instructor has many years of teaching toddlers and preschoolers, is an expert in the styles being taught, and has had enough life experience to understand redirection and its foundational quality in discipline, 2 year olds are in good hands.

If on the other hand, the school is geared toward older kids and adults, with a ‘preschool’ class taught by someone unprepared, most of the two year olds if they can even participate will gain little. The instructor is vital in young kids being able to train in Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, etc.

Is Taekwondo Safe For Girls?

When an activity is based on character, safety, and defense, it should be a foregone conclusion that it will be safe for kids to practice. Yet, when they are our children we would like to take every consideration and precaution. So, is Taekwondo a safe activity for girls?

Taekwondo is very safe activity for girls. There can be injuries in any physical activity. Most Karate, Taekwondo, or Jiu Jitsu schools make this a very low possibility due to safety precautions. For girls it is a safe bet to train in martial arts.

Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, and wrestling all were or are Olympic sports. This means there has been great pains taken to make sure precautions are in place to protect their participants. This should give parents peace of mind, especially if they are not intending on having their girls compete.

Which Is Better For Girls Taekwondo Or Karate?

As you can see from the answers above, Karate and Taekwondo have much in common. On the other hand they are different styles, coming from different cultures, and have at times very different goals if trained separately. So, is Karate or Taekwondo better for girls?

Karate with Taekwondo included is the best option for girls. Taking only traditional Karate with focus more on hand techniques or Taekwondo with mostly kicking techniques leaves a lot on the table. A better option for girls is a Karate system that includes most of the techniques of TKD.

At Master Booe’s Karate Kidz, I offer TKD techniques alongside Karate, Judo, and Kali moves. This is further curated to be age appropriate for boys and girls and even at younger ages. This is the help with better self defense against bullies, awareness around strangers, and knowing how to act around animals.

Which Is Better? Taekwondo Vs Karate For Toddlers

The styles are so similar and there are so many versions of Karate that it is not really fair to make the claim that one generally is better than the other. Some forms of Karate include several other martial arts styles, whereas Taekwondo normally only involves kicking and leg techniques.

In the Taekwondo vs Karate debate it usually turns out that Karate is better at hand techniques and Taekwondo is better at kicking techniques. When Karate incorporates other styles like Judo and Kali, self defense is generally in Karate’s favor. For toddlers, both are great with the right teacher.

When we are looking at worldwide popularity, Taekwondo has had a huge marketing machine behind it funded by the South Korean government. With its forced unification under state approved sanctioning bodies, it was a much easier sell to the world audience.

Japanese Karate has many styles and is very decentralized. Worldwide popularity also was made more difficult by Judo, Aikido, and Kendo being popular sports and martial arts in Japan. This could have sunk the spread of the styles and name of Karate. Then came the film series, THE KARATE KID.

This trilogy and fourth movie we never speak about changed Karate’s popularity permanently. Karate has just been accepted in the last Olympics as an exhibition sport, and the term Karate is more popular than TKD with most parents looking for activities for their kids. Thanks, Mr. Miyagi and Daniel Larusso!

Can A 2 Or 3 Year Old Do Taekwondo Or Karate?

Taekwondo and Karate are great choices for kidz when it comes to activities, self defense, and sports. Yet, when talking about toddlers and preschoolers, is the situation still the same? Can a 2 or 3 year old do Taekwondo or Karate?

2 year olds and 3 year olds can do both Taekwondo and Karate with the right class setting. If the instructor has plenty of experience differentiating and scaffolding to help all students succeed, it is a good option for many of the younger ages.

If you haven’t noticed, many early 2 year olds can’t actually jump. It is a future milestone (around 2.5 years and for some 3 years), but at the early 2 stage their feet don’t leave the ground when they try it.

It is as cute as it gets to see them try it, but futile to try and teach them jump kicking techniques, when it is simply jumping I need to work on with them.

Should A 4 Or 5 Year Old Do Taekwondo Or Karate?

If 2 and 3 year olds can do Taekwondo and Karate, what about older kids? Is this something 4 and 5 year olds should try?

Taekwondo and Karate are great for 4 and 5 year olds. Since they have grown and gained coordination, strength, and balance, they can also participate in more the arts have to offer. Though these styles are amazing for developing 2 and 3 year olds, for 4 and 5 year olds they are perfect.

As kidz get older they can also participate more fully in drills from Judo, Kali, and other arts. They can get the basics and tons of benefits as toddlers, but they can get even more as they grow.

Kids Taekwondo Classes In Knoxville Wrap Up

If you are wanting to get your kidz into a fun, active, and practical activity and you live in the Knoxville area, Master Booe’s Karate Kidz is a great place for your family. It is the only exclusively kid focused martial arts school in the area.

If you are interested, fill out the form below and I will get you started with a FREE class or two. Then you can get a FREE uniform with your first term signup. And remember, there are no contracts. I look forward to helping you and your kidz reach their potential and goals soon.