The tenets of Tae Kwon Do are the values students train to live by, often listed as five: courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. At Chung TKD in New Hyde Park, children learn the school's own six values, called The Chung TKD Way: Respect, Integrity, Self-Discipline, Perseverance, Courage and Excellence.
Chung TKD teaches Tae Kwon Do 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, and the About page has more on him and the school. This guide is by Master Chris J. Chung, 5th-degree black belt.
What are the tenets of Tae Kwon Do?
They are a short list of values students learn along with the kicks, often given as the five above. ITF Tae Kwon Do classes normally recite that list, as Wikipedia's entry on the Taekwondo student oath notes. These five are general Tae Kwon Do background, not Chung TKD's tenets: the school teaches its own six values, below.
What is the Tae Kwon Do student oath?
ITF Tae Kwon Do classes also recite a short student oath, which the same entry gives. Students promise to observe the tenets, respect all seniors and instructors, never misuse Tae Kwon Do, be a champion of freedom and justice, and help build a more peaceful world. That oath is not the Chung TKD creed. At Chung TKD, each of the six values has one short line written for a child to say, such as "I am in charge of me."
What are the six values of The Chung TKD Way?
The Chung TKD Way is the school's name for its six values, and its own words for them are "More than kicks and punches. Six values we drill every class."
- Respect. "I honor my school."
- Integrity. "I tell the truth. I keep my word."
- Self-Discipline. "I am in charge of me."
- Perseverance. "When it's hard, I keep going."
- Courage. "I am brave. I use my voice."
- Excellence. "I do it right. Then I do it better."
What does each value look like in class?
Each value comes down to three things a child does in every class, each one easy for an instructor to see.
- Respect. Bow in and bow out, answer the instructor loud, and keep hands and feet to yourself.
- Integrity. Do every rep, play fair and wait your turn.
- Self-Discipline. Stand at attention, sit up straight and stay still during meditation.
- Perseverance. Go again, take the correction and finish the count.
- Courage. Yell like you mean it, count out loud and step up when it's your turn.
- Excellence. Look at the target, keep your guard up and make the next one better.
How does Tae Kwon Do teach self-discipline?
Through small things a child does every class, such as standing at attention and staying still. At Chung TKD, Self-Discipline is one of the six values, and its line is "I am in charge of me." The About page describes the school's Tae Kwon Do as a method of discipline, character development and personal development, not only self-defense.
What can you ask your child after class?
Each value comes with one question for the ride home. Pick one, and let your child answer.
- Respect. Answer me the way you answer your instructor in class, loud.
- Integrity. When your instructor counted to ten, did you do all ten?
- Self-Discipline. What did you make yourself do today, even when you didn't feel like it?
- Perseverance. What was the hardest thing today? What did you do next?
- Courage. Count to ten for me, loud, the way the class does.
- Excellence. What did you do better the second time?
For more to do together, our guide to practicing Tae Kwon Do at home has ideas.
How are the six values different from the five tenets?
They share two values, Integrity and Perseverance, and three more sit close: Respect near courtesy, Self-Discipline near self-control, and Courage near indomitable spirit. Excellence has no match on the list of five. The difference is in the words: each Chung TKD value has a line written for a child to say and three things to do in class, so a child knows what it looks like on the mat.
Trying Tae Kwon Do at Chung TKD
Every new family starts with two free trial classes, and a parent or guardian stays for them. Children wear something comfortable, sweats or shorts, and the uniform comes when a family signs up. For more on the first visit, read our guides to a first Tae Kwon Do class and whether parents can watch a class.
Questions parents ask
What are the five tenets of Tae Kwon Do?
Courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. ITF Tae Kwon Do classes normally recite this list. They are not Chung TKD's tenets; the school teaches six values of its own.
What is the Tae Kwon Do student oath?
A short pledge recited in ITF Tae Kwon Do. Students promise to observe the tenets, respect all seniors and instructors, never misuse Tae Kwon Do, be a champion of freedom and justice, and help build a more peaceful world. It is not the Chung TKD creed.
What are the six values of The Chung TKD Way?
Respect, Integrity, Self-Discipline, Perseverance, Courage and Excellence. Each has one line a child can say. For Courage, it is "I am brave. I use my voice."
Does Tae Kwon Do teach self-discipline?
Yes. At Chung TKD, Self-Discipline is one of the six values. Its line is "I am in charge of me." Children practice it by standing at attention, sitting up straight and staying still during meditation.
How can my child try a class at Chung TKD?
Every new family starts with two free trial classes, and a parent or guardian stays for them.