At nine years old, James could have been a politician. There was something about his smile which invited small talk with strangers. He was also told he had severe Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
Sitting still in a chair was a difficult task. He couldn’t focus. There were behavioral issues at school, so he had trouble paying attention and learning. His teachers found him to be a distraction in the classroom and were constantly disciplining him. Ask anyone about James, and they’ll tell you he was a bad kid.
James entered our kids program and immediately took a liking to Tae Kwon-Do. Through attainable goals, James learned he could advance at his own accelerated pace versus waiting for everyone else in the class. Advancing in Tae Kwon-Do requires concentration, and through sheer determination and discipline, James learned to focus.
Routines are taught through manageable chunks. Kids learn through repetition and adding steps as they go. They anticipate which move comes next and eventually put it all together. This creates a very achievable working memory.
James LOVED weapons classes. Good weapons training requires a strong discipline by the student to pay attention. The ability to focus is key. Trust me, when working with a weapon, one does not want their attention drifting. The deliberate, repetitive movements helped James with his coordination. He soon learned the power of mind over the body.
Since beginning Tae Kwon-Do, James has transformed into a phenomenal student. At the age of 13, he’s placing in competitive tournaments and can easily go up against my older students. James is already talking about opening his own Tae Kwon-Do school someday and becoming a Master.
Tae Kwon-Do provides a structured environment and regimented program that has literally never failed me. As long as the parents bring the child in a few times a week and make the child practice at home, they will soon see success.
…and nothing breeds success like success.
This post is part of a series highlighting the many wonderful students that practice Tae Kwon-Do at Master Gorino’s Tae Kwon-Do School in Amherst, NY.
Master Gorino’s Tae Kwon-Do offers a trial program for individuals and families in Buffalo, NY and the surrounding areas that allows you to get a feel for the different classes, meet our instructors, and experience our dojang. It’s a great way to see if Tae Kwon-Do is right for you. To learn more or to sign up, register online or call (716) 836-KICK (5425) and a member of our team will follow up with you on next steps. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals. Pil-Sung!
