Why Taekwondo for your child? What sets us apart?
This 5 blog series will look at the top 10 reasons that taekwondo benefits kids. In no particular order, as they’re equally important, we’ll present two reasons in each blog post. Today, we present Physical Fitness and Mental Development.
Physical fitness: Taekwondo helps kids improve their balance, their coordination, their flexibility, and their overall fitness to include their physical stamina.
Mental development: Taekwondo can help kids develop focus, concentration, and confidence. It can also help them learn self-discipline and determination.
Bridging these important benefits of Physical Fitness and Mental Development that Taekwondo provides our children, are the increasingly acknowledged benefits of crossing the midline.
Midline crossing tasks are activities that involve moving one hand, foot, or eye across the body’s midline, which divides the body into left and right halves.
Strengthening Brain Connectivity: Midline crossing tasks help strengthen the neural connections between the two hemispheres of the brain. This enhanced connectivity is crucial for various cognitive functions, including problem-solving, reading, writing, and math skills. When a child crosses the midline, they engage both sides of their brain, fostering better communication and coordination between them.
Improved Bilateral Coordination: Midline crossing tasks encourage the use of both sides of the body simultaneously. This promotes bilateral coordination, essential for activities like tying shoelaces, riding a bike, and playing sports. Developing strong bilateral coordination early in life lays a solid foundation for success in various physical activities.
Better Spatial Awareness: Midline crossing tasks enhance a child’s spatial awareness and perception. They learn to understand their body’s position in space, which is valuable for activities like navigating crowded spaces, participating in team sports, and even dancing. Improved spatial awareness contributes to overall physical confidence.
Enhanced Concentration and Focus: Engaging in activities that require crossing the midline such as punching and kicking can help children improve concentration and focus. They learn to coordinate their movements and stay engaged in tasks for more extended periods, which is beneficial for both academic and recreational pursuits. When our brain is able to communicate effectively between hemispheres it doesn’t have to work as hard to function against gravity, leaving more mental energy to problem-solve, attend to, and regulate emotions and impulses.