Volume 04 Issue 07-2024
36
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
07
P
AGES
:
36-41
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
ABSTRACT
This review looks at how Taekwondo is taught to kids aged 7-10 in Central Asia and the USA. Taekwondo is a Korean
martial art that helps kids grow physically and mentally. In Central Asia, Taekwondo training focuses on traditional
values and intense physical exercises. Kids learn about respect, discipline, and the history of Taekwondo. In contrast,
Taekwondo classes in the USA are designed to be fun and engaging. They include games and rewards to keep kids
interested while following a clear step-by-
step program. Both methods have their benefits: Central Asia’s approach
builds strong discipline, while the USA’s method makes learning enjoyable. The review suggests combining the best
parts of both methods could be useful for teaching Taekwondo to kids everywhere.
KEYWORDS
Taekwondo, children, Central Asia, USA, martial arts, physical growth, mental development, training methods, cultural
values, fun activities.
INTRODUCTION
Taekwondo is a popular martial art that originated in
Korea. It is known for helping children develop
physically and mentally. This article compares how
children aged 7-10 are trained in Taekwondo in Central
Asia and the USA, focusing on the techniques and
methods used.
Research Article
A COMPARATIVE REVIEW OF TAEKWONDO TRAINING TECHNIQUES
FOR CHILDREN IN CENTRAL ASIA AND THE USA
Submission Date:
July 17, 2024,
Accepted Date:
July 22, 2024,
Published Date:
July 27, 2024
Crossref doi:
https://doi.org/10.37547/ajsshr/Volume04Issue07-07
Asadbek Bozorov
Student of Cuyahoga Community College, Ohio, USA
Journal
Website:
https://theusajournals.
com/index.php/ajsshr
Copyright:
Original
content from this work
may be used under the
terms of the creative
commons
attributes
4.0 licence.
Volume 04 Issue 07-2024
37
American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
–
2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
07
P
AGES
:
36-41
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Literature Review. Research has shown that martial
arts benefit children’s physical and mental growth. A
meta-analysis conducted by Sang-Seok Nam and Kiwon
Lim “evaluated the effects of Taekwondo training on
the physical fitness factors in Korean elementary
students comprehensively and quantitatively” [4].
According to Ik Rae Cho, Hyo Joo Park, and Taek Kyun
Lee, “survey results show that Taekwondo training
affects school-life adaptation by improving student
morality and bolstering compliance with school rules.”
The exercise value of Taekwondo training is
“
considered necessary for US adolescents due to its
educational aspects, particularly in maintaining
amenable
student-teacher
and
student-peer
relationships” [2]. Additionally, Seunghui Baek, Jong
-
Beom Park, Sang-Hwan Choi, Jae-Don Lee, and Sang-
Seok Nam fo
und that Taekwondo training “at a
frequency of five times per week for more than 12
weeks positively improved the obesity factor,”
showing that Taekwondo can prevent or positively
improve obesity and contribute to promoting human
health [1]. Furthermore, Guyeol Jeong, Hongyong
Jung, Wi-Young So, and Buongo Chun concluded that
Taekwondo training “significantly increased GH and
IGF-1 secretion in children and adolescents aged 10-16
years,” suggesting Taekwondo as an appropriate
physical exercise for maintaining normal growth [3].
Main Part. In Central Asia, Taekwondo training for
children combines traditional values with modern
techniques. Training starts with basic movements
(kihaps) and forms (poomsae). These movements and
forms are practiced repeatedly to ensure precision and
discipline. For example, children learn to execute kicks,
punches, and blocks with exact timing and form. The
practice of poomsae, which are predefined patterns of
movements, helps in understanding the flow of
techniques and improves muscle memory.
Physical conditioning is a vital part of the training.
Children build strength, flexibility, and endurance
through a variety of exercises. These include running
laps around the training area, jumping rope to improve
coordination and stamina, and performing divweight
exercises like push-ups, sit-ups, and squats. Stretching
routines are also emphasized to enhance flexibility,
which is crucial for executing high kicks and other
Taekwondo techniques.
As children progress, they are gradually introduced to
sparring (kyorugi) and self-defense techniques
(hosinsul). Sparring sessions start with controlled,
light-contact drills to teach children the importance of
timing, distance, and control. For example, they might
practice sparring with a partner, focusing on
techniques like the roundhouse kick and back kick. Self-
defense training includes learning how to break free
from grabs, defend against strikes, and use joint locks.
This practical aspect of training is essential for building
confidence and applying Taekwondo skills in real-life
situations.
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American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
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2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
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P
AGES
:
36-41
OCLC
–
1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Mental training is integrated into the physical practice
to teach respect, focus, and perseverance. Children
participate in meditation sessions to improve
concentration and mental clarity. They also learn about
the five tenets of Taekwondo: courtesy, integrity,
perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit.
Moral lessons are woven into the training to help
children understand the importance of these values in
both martial arts and everyday life. For example, they
might be taught to bow to instructors and fellow
students as a sign of respect and to maintain a positive
attitude even when facing challenges.
In the USA, Taekwondo training for children blends
traditional techniques with fun and engaging methods.
Training programs follow a clear and organized
curriculum created by Taekwondo organizations. This
curriculum ensures that children learn skills in a
consistent and systematic way. For example, beginners
start with basic kicks, punches, and blocks. As they
progress, they learn more complex techniques and
forms (poomsae). Each level has specific goals and
requirements, so children know exactly what they
need to achieve to move to the next level.
To keep children interested and excited about learning,
classes include a variety of games and interactive drills.
For instance, instructors might organize obstacle
courses where children practice jumping, kicking, and
running. They might play games like “kick the target”,
where kids try to kick foam targets held by their
partners. These activities make learning Taekwondo
enjoyable and help improve coordination, speed, and
agility. According to Sinan Bozkurt and Tuğçe
Yeşilçimen “the differential learning approach could
be significantly more effective, especially for the
techniques of Yapchagi, Dui-chagi, Dollyo Chagi, and
Palding. Practicing with differential learning may also
be effective in terms of saving practice time for the
development of tae-kwon-
do skills.” [5, 314]
Instructors use praise and rewards to encourage
children and build their confidence. For example, after
a child performs a good kick or successfully completes
a form, the instructor might give them a high-five or a
verbal compliment like “Great job!” In some schools,
children can earn stickers, badges, or small prizes for
showing improvement or demonstrating good
behavior. This positive reinforcement helps motivate
children to keep trying their best.
Safety is a top priority in Taekwondo classes in the USA.
Instructors ensure that all activities are closely
supervised to prevent injuries. For example, when
children practice sparring, they wear protective gear
like helmets, gloves, and chest protectors. Instructors
carefully watch to make sure that sparring is controlled
and that children do not get hurt. Additionally, classes
often start with warm-up exercises to prepare the
muscles and reduce the risk of injury. Parents can feel
confident that their children are learning in a safe and
supportive environment.
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American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
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2771-2141)
VOLUME
04
ISSUE
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:
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OCLC
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1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Discussion and Results. In Central Asia, Taekwondo
training deeply integrates cultural values and
traditions. Children learn not just the physical
techniques but also the cultural significance behind
them. For example, they might learn about the history
of Taekwondo, traditional Korean customs, and the
importance of respect and humility. This cultural
education is woven into every aspect of training. In
contrast, the USA combines traditional Taekwondo
techniques with modern educational practices. While
children still learn about respect and discipline, the
focus is more on making the lessons relatable to their
everyday lives. For instance, instructors might use
stories or examples from modern culture to teach
important values.
Training in Central Asia often focuses heavily on
physical conditioning and discipline. Children engage in
rigorous exercises to build their strength, flexibility,
and endurance. They might run long distances, do
many push-ups, or practice difficult kicks repeatedly to
improve their skills. Discipline is also a key part of the
training, with children expected to follow strict rules
and show respect to their instructors at all times. In the
USA, the emphasis is more on engagement and
enjoyment. While children still practice physical
conditioning, the exercises are often presented in a fun
and interactive way. For example, instead of just
running laps, they might play running games. The goal
is to keep children interested and excited about their
training.
In the USA, Taekwondo schools often follow a very
structured curriculum with clear progression paths.
Each level has specific skills and techniques that
children must master before moving on to the next
belt. This structure helps children understand what
they need to achieve and gives them a sense of
accomplishment as they progress. In Central Asia, the
curriculum is often more flexible and tradition-based.
While there are still levels and belts, the focus is more
on mastering techniques at one’s own pace and
integrating traditional practices and values into the
training.
In the USA, instructors use a lot of positive
reinforcement to motivate children. They give praise,
rewards, and encouragement to help children feel
good about their progress. For example, an instructor
might give a child a sticker or a small prize for showing
improvement or demonstrating good behavior. This
helps build the child’s confidence and keeps them
motivated to continue training. In Central Asia, the
focus is more on discipline as a motivational tool.
Children are taught the importance of hard work,
perseverance, and respect. They are encouraged to
push themselves and strive for excellence, with less
emphasis on rewards and more on personal growth
and achievement.
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American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
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VOLUME
04
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OCLC
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1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
Natalya Mischenko and others in their research say
that “Plyometric training «Rope
-skipping» and
exercises of «Tai-bo» fitness program allowed to
develop and increase the speed abilities and dynamic
strength of the lower extremities, increase the jumping
ability and overall endurance, flexibility, speed and
coordination abilities of the girls of the experimental
group significantly more than those of the athletes in
the control one. The rhythmicity of the musical
accompaniment of the training contributed to the pace
of striking development and created a positive
emotional background of the
lesson.” [6, 3219] This
highlights the effectiveness of integrating engaging
and rhythm-based exercises in children's training
programs to achieve comprehensive physical
development and maintain high motivation levels.
Conclusion. Taekwondo training for children in Central
Asia and the USA takes different approaches because
of cultural and educational differences.
In Central Asia, the training focuses a lot on discipline
and tradition. Children learn about the history of
Taekwondo and the importance of respect and
humility. They go through intense physical exercises to
build strength and endurance, and they follow strict
rules to learn discipline. The training is very traditional,
with a lot of emphasis on mastering techniques and
understanding their cultural significance.
In the USA, the training is more focused on keeping
children engaged and making sure they have fun while
learning. The classes are structured with a clear
curriculum, so children know what they need to
achieve to move to the next level. Instructors use
games and interactive activities to make learning
enjoyable. They also use a lot of positive
reinforcement, like giving praise and rewards, to
motivate children and build their confidence.
Both approaches have their strengths. Central Asia’s
method helps children develop strong discipline and
respect for tradition, while the USA’s method makes
learning fun and keeps children motivated with a
structured path to progress.
Future research could look at ways to combine the best
parts of both approaches. For example, integrating the
cultural and disciplinary focus of Central Asian training
with the engaging and structured methods used in the
USA could create an even better way to teach
Taekwondo to children worldwide. This way, children
can enjoy learning while also gaining a deep respect for
the art and its traditions.
REFERENCES
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Effects of Taekwondo Training on Body
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Volume 04 Issue 07-2024
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American Journal Of Social Sciences And Humanity Research
(ISSN
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VOLUME
04
ISSUE
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P
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:
36-41
OCLC
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1121105677
Publisher:
Oscar Publishing Services
Servi
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