Focus, respect and confidence, starting at age 3.

No. Self-control comes first. Kids learn when to use what they learn, and when not to. A 2022 study even found that Taekwondo kids got less aggressive than kids in gym class.

No one sits on a bench. Some drills need a short wait for a turn, but even that is training. Kids sit still in the right form, watch, and get ready to go. Each child moves up belt by belt, at their own pace. Along the way, they learn focus and self-control.

Two studies back this up. Both compared kids in martial arts with kids in regular gym class:

• 2004, USA: 207 kids from kindergarten to 5th grade did martial arts at school for 3 months. They improved more in self-control and in how they behaved in class. Read the study
• 2022, England: 240 kids aged 7 to 11 did Taekwondo twice a week for 11 weeks. They paid more attention in class and got less aggressive. Read the study

Not quite, but they are close. Both are martial arts with belts. Both teach focus, respect and self-control. Karate comes from Japan and uses more hand strikes. Taekwondo comes from Korea and is known for its kicks. It is also an Olympic sport.

Studies show what this kind of training does for kids:

• 2022, England: Kids aged 7 to 11 did Taekwondo twice a week. After 11 weeks, they paid more attention in class. They also got less aggressive, not more. Read the study
• 2004, USA: Kids from kindergarten to 5th grade did martial arts at school. After 3 months, they had better self-control than kids in gym class. They also behaved better in class. Read the study

So which one is right for your child? The teacher matters more than the style. Ask each school three things:

• What level of mastery has the head teacher achieved?
• How long have they taught kids?
• Who teaches the classes day to day? The head teacher, or a substitute instructor with less experience?

Then try a class and see how your child likes it.

Yes. Grandmaster Koh works with kids who have ADHD. He knows how to help a child calm down and focus again. He does small things that help, like closing the curtains so there is less to distract them. Private lessons are also an option, at an extra cost. Ask about private lessons

Yes. Grandmaster Koh teaches them on Monday and Friday afternoons. They cost extra. They are great for kids who want extra practice or need more attention. Ask about private lessons

No.

While belt tests do cost a fee, belt testing with Grandmaster Koh is different.

Some schools hold one big group exam where everyone passes. Grandmaster Koh meets each child one-on-one on a Saturday.

Think of it like a private lesson where your child shows what they've learned and receives personal feedback. And at the end, there is a belt exam and graduation.

Each belt has a clear list of skills. There are no made-up in-between belts that you might have seen at other schools. Kids move to the next color when they're ready. Belt progress depends on age and learning speed.

No. The first class is free, and you don't have to decide anything that day. If your child wants to keep coming, we'll walk you through the options.

Ask three things. What level of mastery has the head teacher achieved? How long have they taught kids? Who teaches the classes day to day? The head teacher, or a substitute instructor with less experience? At Ko's, the head teacher is a Grandmaster with the 8th Dan, the second-highest rank a master can earn. He has taught kids since 1983, and he teaches every class himself.

No. Little Tigers starts at age 3. Classes are 30 minutes of short drills and games. The free class is the easiest way to find out.

Yes. Add them when you book. If they're in different age groups, Grandmaster Koh will confirm the right time for each child. Brothers and sisters also get a family discount on membership.

It depends on how many kids you sign up and how often they come. You can pay by the month or by the year. The year costs less. It also gives your child time to grow. Focus, confidence and self-control build up over months, not weeks. Does your family spend part of the year abroad? Ask about our lower yearly rate. After the free class, we'll walk you through every option. There's no pressure to decide on the spot.

No. You can start month to month. If your child loves it, switch to a yearly membership. Everything you've paid so far counts toward the yearly price. So you lose nothing by starting small. Just know that a yearly membership is for the whole year. If you're not sure yet, start monthly.

Most families find a time that works. There are classes every weekday and on Saturday mornings. You can come once or twice a week. Take a look at the weekly timetable. If nothing fits, call us at (973) 767-6117 and we'll see what we can do.

Yes. Teens and adults train in our junior and adult classes on weekday evenings. Book a free class and pick "11+" as the age.