Elijah Brooks was playing soccer all of last year, did well, and enjoyed it - until respiratory troubles began. We had him take a break this fall until we could figure out what was going on and get a gameplan. We put out heads together and thought about a sport that would be indoors, still allow him to be very active and get exercise (but not run constantly), help him develop coordination and self-control, and also satisfy his desire to be punching, kicking, or swinging something most of the time! It seemed like Taekwondo might be the very thing for him. No one in our family has any experience in this sport whatsoever, but I have been very intrigued and pleasantly surprised! He has been taking classes for 8 weeks now, and just earned his first belt. I have been very impressed with the fact that these belts are not simply handed out to these kids on a whim - they have to work hard for them. They have to prove their knowledge of skills and various combinations of moves through "testing". I didn't know this when I signed him up, but I really like their system and the logic behind it. Taekwondo is a building on of skills, so they have to demonstrate that they understand the basics before moving up. Each child starts with a clean, white belt. The 4 and 5 year olds are in the "Tiger Cub" group. They have to earn 4 different color stripes on their white belt before they can test to receive the next color belt. If they pass their test, they then have to earn 4 more stripes on the next color before moving up etc...... Clearly, one would have to be motivated to stick with this! EB has really enjoyed his first 8 weeks, and was always thrilled with he would earn another color stripe on his belt. It was great incentive and kept him motivated, knowing another stripe was coming. I don't know how long he will stick with this or if will be "his thing" or not, but we are committed for this season of his life and we will see where it takes him. He enjoys going to class, enjoys his coaches so much, is learning discipline/self-control/coordination, challenging him to remember and retain what he has learned, and enjoys punching some stress and energy out! He has one heck of a punch too :)
He did pass his 1st test, and received his yellow Tiger Cub belt! He was so proud of himself, and I think it really helped him to finally see the result of his hard work.
Way to go Elijah Brooks!! I would want you to be with me if I were ever in a dark alley!
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| Practicing before testing in Daddy's office (testing happens to be at our church) |
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| Whew! He is serious! |
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| Testing! |
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| Punch |
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| Front kick |
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| High Block |
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| Awards Night! Before the ceremony, everyone was asked to remove their "old" belt |
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| Mrs Scout, Mr. Jones, Mr. Pope (Mr. Brandon was out this night). All 4 of these coaches have worked with him and each one has been excellent. |
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| Certificate presentation and new Yellow belt! |
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| I love this! After the awards, everyone throws their old belt up in the air like a graduation! You can see EB's white belt flying high |
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| Congratulations Elijah Brooks, Yellow Tiger Cub! |
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| Proud Mommy and Daddy |
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| And proud E-Daddy! |
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