A good first class for a 2- or 3-year-old is made for children that age, lets you stay close by, and lets your child try it before you sign up. At Chung TKD in New Hyde Park, children can start Tae Kwon Do at 2, in the Mommy & Me class, and move up to the independent Pee-Wee class at 3½. Every new family starts with two free trial classes, and parents can watch.
Chung TKD teaches Tae Kwon Do, a Korean martial art, to children ages 2 to 13, in three programs by age: Pee-Wee, Children and Youth. Grandmaster Howard Chung, 9th Dan, has taught Tae Kwon Do since 1970 and opened the school in 1984. This guide is by Master Chris J. Chung, 5th-degree black belt.
What should I look for in a first class for a 2- or 3-year-old?
Look for a class made for children that age, where you can stay close by and your child can try a class before you sign up. Those three points hold for music, swim and gym classes as much as for a martial art, and the six questions below help you check them.
What should I ask before booking a first class?
Ask these six questions of any class you are thinking about. Here is how Chung TKD answers each one.
- Is the class made for 2- and 3-year-olds? At Chung TKD, yes. Pee-Wee is the program for ages 2 to 3.
- Can I stay and watch? Yes. Parents can watch, and a parent or guardian stays for each trial class.
- Will my child take class with me or on their own? From 2 to 3, children take the Mommy & Me class, and at 3½ they move up to the independent Pee-Wee class.
- Can we try a class before we sign up? Yes. Every new family starts with two free trial classes.
- What does my child wear? Something comfortable, sweats or shorts. The uniform comes if they sign up.
- What if my child only wants to watch? That is fine. Some children watch for a little while first, plenty jump right in, and many nervous ones soon forget they were nervous.
Can a 2-year-old take Tae Kwon Do?
Yes. At Chung TKD, children can start at 2, in the Mommy & Me class. Our guide to Mommy & Me Tae Kwon Do for 2-year-olds has more on the class.
When does my child move to the independent class?
At 3½. That is when children move up from Mommy & Me to the independent Pee-Wee class, and the Children program follows for ages 4 to 6. Our guide to whether a 3-year-old is ready for Tae Kwon Do can help you decide where to begin.
Who teaches the classes at Chung TKD?
The school's instructors teach the classes, and Grandmaster Chung leads the school. Our guides to a first Tae Kwon Do class and whether parents can watch a class cover the first visit.
Is Tae Kwon Do the same as karate?
No. Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art, and Chung TKD teaches Tae Kwon Do, not karate. Our guide to Tae Kwon Do vs karate compares the two for a child.
Where is Chung TKD?
Chung TKD is at 1527 Jericho Turnpike, New Hyde Park, NY 11040.
How do we get started?
Start with the two free trial classes. A parent or guardian stays for both, and kids wear something comfortable, sweats or shorts. Book a free class online, and our Pee-Wee page has more on the program.
Questions parents ask
Can a 2-year-old do Tae Kwon Do at Chung TKD?
Yes. Children can start at 2, in the Mommy & Me class.
When does my child move to the independent Pee-Wee class?
At 3½. Children take Mommy & Me from 2 to 3, then move up to the independent Pee-Wee class.
Can parents watch?
Yes. Parents can watch, and a parent or guardian stays for each trial class.
How many free trial classes does Chung TKD give?
Two. Every new family starts with two free trial classes.
What should my child wear to the first class?
Something comfortable, sweats or shorts. The uniform comes if they sign up.