“Get up,
shake it off,
and continue going.”
You see your child on the mat, working on a drill or exercise activity, and suddenly they are on the floor. Maybe upset… maybe embarrassed… usually unhurt (sit down mom/dad – they are good, they got this!) The child gets up and takes a deep breath and shakes it off. Why? Because they are learning to be resilient! They are learning it’s ok to fail, to fall – to gain the coping skills they need to handle everyday challenges.
You see your child sparring and they get hit. Maybe it takes them by surprise.. maybe they get upset… rarely does it hurt (sit down mom/dad – they are wearing safety gear – they are good, they got this!) The child takes a deep breath and evaluates the situation and continues to spar. Why? Because they are learning to overcome the blows that come at them – physically and mentally. They are dealing head on with discomfort and they can cope with it.
Kids need to learn to deal with frustration and disappointment. Not everyone learns at the same pace. Belt ranks are not going to be handed to them. In Taekwondo they need to practice and master it on their own; no one can do it for them. At Fit2Fight you earn it when you learn it. They are learning to work towards goals. They feel the pride from their own hard work and obstacles overcome.
At Fit2Fight kids learn to understand that it’s normal and healthy to feel sad, frustrated, disappointed, and angry sometimes, too. It’s how they cope with these feelings and don’t ‘shut down’ or allow them to keep them from their goals that will make them stronger – not just on the mat but in their everyday lives. Knowing how to focus on your goal, overcome stress, and take care of your feelings are key components to living a good life.
So yes, we encourage our students to fail… to fall… to learn. Get up, shake it off, and continue going. With practice, gentle nudging and guidance, kids gain confidence that they can face their fears head-on. We fail forward and learn every step of the way!
P.S…. This goes for grown up students, too!