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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Original poster

Taekwon-do for a 4 year old. Am I asking for trouble?

25 replies

Dragonbutter · 02/10/2008 20:26

I'm considering taking DS1 to taekwon-do classes for ages 4-6.

He's very 'lively' , we've tried tennis but he finds it frustrating when he misses, we've tried trampolining but there was too much waiting and not enough bouncing, we tried gymnastics but again lots of waiting for his turn and he wasn't really enjoying it.

So the problem could be that he's a bit young for these sorts of structured activities and just wants to run around like a madman.

Or it could be that he's just not used to the structure side and the waiting for his turn.

Or it could be that the activities aren't capturing his interest enough.

So then i get a leaflet for a new taekwon-do class but am concerned that he might just learn some moves to torment his baby brother (who he isn't very impressed with but is getting better).

What do you think?

OP posts:
SqueakyPop · 02/10/2008 20:31

TKD is very disciplined, and they have to learn lots of routines.

I think 4 is too young. My DS started when he was 7, and that seemed OK. I don't think he could have done it much younger.

bloss · 02/10/2008 20:33

Message withdrawn

Original poster
Dragonbutter · 02/10/2008 20:55

i showed him the leaflet and he said he'd like to go and watch.

i'd love him to focus his energy on something y'see. i guess we could try it and if he's not getting the message that he's not to actually fight people out of class then we would stop.

i'm wondering whether it would get it out of his system though.

i loved karate as a kid, and think it does a lot for a kids confidence.

OP posts:
triggerfish · 02/10/2008 21:46

you must be mad! you're gonna get yer head kicked in by your own kid!!(smile)

NannyNanny · 02/10/2008 21:46

The children I look after all do TKD. The youngest is five but started when she was four. It's fantastic, as there is no waiting about. Also, there is now no fighting at home. They have an oath at TKD that says something along the lines of 'I must not misuse TKD....' Great way to get them listening as well.

SmugColditz · 02/10/2008 21:47

don't come crying to us when someone breaks a finger doing Kung Fu Pirate Panda Power Rangers Mystic Force

Original poster
Dragonbutter · 02/10/2008 21:48

trig, are you stalking me?

thanks nannynanny, is there no waiting around because they are all doing the moves at the same time?
that's how i remember karate classes.

OP posts:
SmugColditz · 02/10/2008 21:48

I think you'll find the answer is that he is tooooooo young for this kind of organised activity

Original poster
Dragonbutter · 02/10/2008 21:50

so any organised classes or just tkd?

OP posts:
SmugColditz · 02/10/2008 21:55

Any, I'd say

Original poster
Dragonbutter · 02/10/2008 21:59

i've noticed that with the other classes really. is school age better?

OP posts:
magentadreamer · 03/10/2008 07:11

My DD did karate from the age of 6 to 9 and it gave her alot of confidence. Her class had all age ranges - it was supposed to start from the age of 7 but DD was allowed to start early as she was a few months off her 7th b'day and I said I'd stay with her. She passed her first 3 belts - the red belt just before she was 7 and was so pleased She's now 11 and on Monday is going to start up again as they have a club after school. If it's a session aimed at 4-6 year olds you should find your DS will enjoy it and hopefully learn the basics in an informal atmosphere.

Threadworrm · 03/10/2008 07:17

Do it, do it. My ds2 started at about that age. It's all quite controlled. It doesn't involve much actual combat but is still a really good channel for that kind of energy. It's great.

uberalice · 03/10/2008 07:58

I practice TKD. However I wouldn't send my 4 year old DS for another couple of years at least. He just wouldn't be able to concentrate and he'd be running around like the madman that you describe.

Original poster
Dragonbutter · 03/10/2008 09:32

oh you're all saying different things!!!
the class is only for 4-6 year olds so i was hoping they would be prepared for how 4 year olds can be.
but there are plenty 4 year olds who are a bit better at taking instructions without pouting and feeling like it's just no fun.

i think i'll take him along for a look. the class is starting on monday so i thought it might help if he's there right from the beginning rather than joining in when everyone knows what they're doing.

i always have great hopes for these sorts of things but then realise he's just too young. i'm also careful not to push him to do things he doesn't enjoy as i don't want to put him off in the long term.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dragonbutter · 03/10/2008 14:18

anymore advice?
what classes are good for a 4 year old?

OP posts:
GColdtimer · 03/10/2008 14:33

I took dd to a mini karate trial lesson for 2-3 year olds. I was a bit about it but my friend dragged me along. She absolutely loved it. Lots of running around chasing each other's "dragon's tails", prancing around with ribbons, stretching exercises and then rewards at the end. It was amazing to see the minute the instructor shouted a certain word, the whole class stood still until she said they could go again. It was great but the times just didn't work out for her as it clashed with her nap so we haven't gone back but I would recommend it.

Why don't you see how it goes.

Aniyan · 03/10/2008 14:49

You have to go and see really - it totally depends on the teacher.

I've seen excellent karate classes with very wriggly little kids where the teacher maintained non-scary discipline and the kids had a great time.

Others where the teacher was so scary I was nearly in tears

And others where the teacher had no discipline at all and it descended into total chaos.

With the right teacher, it can be fantastic - like twofalls experience above.

Original poster
Dragonbutter · 03/10/2008 14:52

i find that a lot of toddler activities seem to be led by women who look like they're not in the mood for all the kids.

DS seems to like tumbletots which is led by a man who actually looks like he's enjoying himself.

It would grab his attention if the leader is enthusiastic and happy to be there.

OP posts:
Icantbelieveitsnotdragonbutter · 06/10/2008 10:40

Wish me luck. We're going along this evening.

Aniyan · 06/10/2008 13:14

Good luck - you'll probably know in the first 10 mins or so if you're likely to go again.

Might also be an idea to find out if the teacher is the same every week or if it can change.

batters · 06/10/2008 13:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thehairybabysmum · 06/10/2008 13:45

Hope you enjoy it..I do TKD nad intend to take mine when they are old enough which i reckon is about 4. If its a specialist class for that age then it should be great.

KomodoGhee · 06/10/2008 19:23

It was really good. The instructor was friendly and got him involved right at the start. He chatted to them all about what they had been doing that day.
He lost DS1 when he asked him to stand up to play a game. He just shut down and refused to join in. He came and sat with me for a bit. I think he was worried because he didn't know what he was going to have to do and got a bit scared.
He was laughing and enjoying the games and once the actual TKD exercises were finished he went back and played a memory game with them.
It looked like great fun and really well organised.

....but really expensive. £28 per month! but you can take him to unlimited classes which would probably be twice a week for me.
does that seem a lot to you?

batters · 07/10/2008 00:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

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