Determination. Photo by Panther Taekwondo Black Belt Academy.

As you might have gathered from this week’s blogs – this is a subject close to my heart! It’s transformative for a young person to win praise. 

When the early days of any new endeavour can be difficult going, what makes all the difference is a positive atmosphere. Learning a martial art is no different.  So is improving your self-discipline and self-control. So rather than tellings off, at Panther Taekwondo Black Belt Academy, behaviour that will be helpful in the future is observed and regularly rewarded.

For kids who’ve had problems with authority before, praise is transformative

Each Panther Taekwondo student is watched closely and their progress is encouraged.  For children and young people who have found themselves on the ‘negative’ side of authority before – always hearing about everything they are doing wrong – it can be  transformative to realise that they are supported and to find that they are winning praise and making real progress.  

Learn that you CAN do it – but not necessarily at the first or the second attempt

Being set a difficult task – to achieve a physical fitness challenge or master a new fighting technique – is a very positive experience.  Things shouldn’t be too easy… because life’s not easy. Learning that you can  do it, but not necessarily at the first or second attempt, equips taekwondo students for life. They learn the two attitudes of perseverance and ‘indomitable spirit. Then they can take these outside the dojo and into their everyday lives.