R.T. Berry School’s Child Curriculum: (just the techniques)
Our School’s focus is on Character Development. We accomplish this through the way that we train and maintaining an extremely consistent environment. Our children’s curriculum is set up for the student to really learn not just Martial Arts, but how to train in them and grow as a Martial Artist, or at our school what we call an Official Awesome Master Berry Tae Kwon Do Kid.
Our children’s curriculum is in three major sections.
Beginner through White Belt, Yellow Stripe and to Yellow Belt:
In these classes the students are learning about the different moves in Tae Kwon Do:
- Front Kick
- Side Kick
- Turning Kick
- Hook Kick
- Walking Stance
- Riding Stance
- Back Fist\
- Reverse Punch
- (meat hook)
They are also beginning to work some basic self-defense ideas and situations.
We discuss regularly the 2 types of Bully’s and how to deal with them.
- The physical bully
- The verbal bully
It should be noted that in a current society very focused on trying to stop bullying, our focus is on how to deal with bullies. Our students are obviously taught not to be a bully, but it is our School philosophy that bullies exist, and learning to deal with them is a very important part of being a happy adult. (Especially happy teenagers)
Physical Bully – where to strike, how to strike to get away, creating distance, and letting everyone around know something is wrong.
Verbal Bully – one that just uses words with no physical contact. We use our bow at the door as an example of how to deal with emotions and “become AWESOME”.
We also discuss when and whom you should let know about mean behavior.
Stranger Safety – “a stranger is someone you do not know OR do not trust”. We discuss how this is different from a “bully”. We do drills to help the kids practice how to tell someone (an adult) politely that they have to go ask their mom and dad if an adult is requesting help from them or offering them something. (finding a dog, putting something in a car, free ice cream, candy, etc.)
YELLOW BELT THROUGH BLUE STRIPE BELT:
At this point the students continue to work all techniques previously taught. They drill them in all different ways so the techniques become a part of their regular routine. They are also now adding the forms from traditional Tae Kwon Do forms Tan Gun and Do San. These forms are done in a four directional format so the students can work on the technique and the mechanics that go along with them. This is also when the students begin to use the moves from the forms as self-defense applications.
BLUE BELT THROUGH BLACK STRIPE:
At this point the students continue to work all techniques previously taught. They are also now adding the forms from traditional Tae Kwon Do forms Won Hyo and Yul Gok. These forms are done in a four directional format so the students can work on the technique and the mechanics that go along with them. Students at this level are also beginning to work on specialty items to prepare for their Black Belt Pre Testing. These items include a musical form, gang attack (pre-arranged demonstration), impromptu (actual self-defense), board breaking, and others. Most important during this time is that the students are developing a clear understanding of how to really train the different techniques and be able to apply what they have learned to other areas of their training and in life.
CHILD BLACK BELT:
Once a student under the age of 12 earns their Black Belt here, they begin putting the moves they have already worked on into the traditional Tae Kwon Do forms #2 – #8. This allows the students to continue to progress through their teen years as they grow and giving them a true understanding of Tae Kwon Do and martial arts. The Do in Tae Kwon DO means “the way.” It was the belief of the founding Master’s of Tae Kwon Do that the way was the most important part. Though times change, and societies do as well, Master Berry is committed to passing the proper way of training and a true martial spirit to his students.
