Little Dragon’s
Pre-School Taekwondo for Kids Program
Information Handbook
Presented by:
Mrs. Sherry Moore
Director / Head Instructor
Pre-School Taekwondo for Kids Program
Affiliated with:
Martial Arts Academy Billings
528 Lake Elmo Dr.
Billings, MT 59105
Little Dragon’s Table of Contents
Orientation 3
Meet Your Little Dragons Instructors 4
Where Are Classes Being Offered? 4
School Rules 5
The 12 Secrets of Black Belt Parents 6
Discipline Guidelines 7
Little Dragon Testing Fees 8
Little Dragon Rank System 9
Uniform 9
How to Tie a Belt 10
Health Guidelines 11
School Holidays 12
Waiting Area 12
Birthdays and Special Announcements 12
Miscellaneous Little Dragon Safety Tips 13
Counting to 10 in Korean 14
Orientation for our Pre-School Taekwondo for Kids Program!
Welcome and congratulations to you for selecting the Little Dragons Program for you child (children). My name is Sherry Moore, Director and Head Instructor for our Little Dragons Pre-School Program. Our Program is more than just Martial Arts. This program is uniquely designed for children ages 4 to 6 years old. It includes lessons in safety and life skills as well as physical martial arts skills. Students become well rounded by learning social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth. The Pre-School Taekwondo for Kids Program is designed to lay a solid foundation so that when the students are older and more capable, they can flourish in a more structured environment. It teaches balance, coordination, cooperation and respect. Although students can compete with their skills, for this young age group, more focus is placed on doing their personal best and not on being "better" than others.
Your child will want to join the fun and you'll want him/her to learn the skill-building lessons of this special martial arts program, developed just for preschoolers. During classes they will receive homework/hand outs as ways to ensure they better understand the topics and reinforce the highlights. Please take the time to listen and discuss these things with them. This support will foster continual interest on their part which is important for success. This program will work if supported both in the classroom and at home.
Merit patches, belt ranks and certificates of achievements will be awarded as the student progresses. The skill patches and ranks earned can be proudly displayed on their uniforms as the child’s skills further. This will serve as an incentive tool for them to continue to strive for excellence as a Little Dragon.
I’m proud to be a part of this program and hope you will all enjoy it also. Please use this manual as an introductory to the program and hopefully you will find many useful things within it. I encourage you to ask questions or provide comments to further this program as it will continually develop. Thank you immensely in advance for your time and support.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Sherry Moore
Director/Head Instructor
Pre-School Taekwondo for Kids Program
LIL’ Dragon is a trademark of Century LLC in the United States and other countries. The curriculum we incorporate into our program is based on the LIL’ Dragon Curriculum Manual, authored by Sonja Sasser-Hatfield and Kimber Hill (et al), copyright 2006 by Century LLC.
Meet Your Little Dragons Instructors
Mrs. Sherry Moore, Director and Head Instructor of the Little Dragons Pre-School Program has 13 Years of Experience in Martial Arts. She has earned her 3rd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo, her High Brown belt in Judo, her Blue Belt in Behring Brazilian Jujitsu and is a Personal Trainer. She enjoys passionately working with the Women’s and Children’s Self Defense programs. She has been in the Health and Wellness industry for about 20 years now and helps men, women and children reach their goals thru her Health and Wellness program. God and Family come first in her life. She’s married with two children. She has been working with children since her two children where small. She was a Girl Scout Leader and Boy Scout Cub Master for several years as her own children where growing up. Mrs. Moore’s goal is to help promote self confidence and self esteem in every human being.
Mr. Jason Sims has been in Martial Arts for 2 years. He has ranked in Taekwondo and Judo. He’s our assistant instructor for the Little Dragons program. His patience and enthusiasm adds great benefits to our program. Mr. Sims participates in various competitions locally and out of state with Taekwondo and Judo. Mr. Sims and his wife have 3 fabulous young children.
Classes Offered
When: Monday and Wednesday
Time: 3:45 to 4:15 pm
Where: Martial Arts Academy Billings
528 Lake Elmo Dr.
Billings, MT 59105
Mrs. Moore’s Cell # 406-671-2933
School Phone: 406-591-9000
Classes are 30 to 40 minutes long depending on the children’s attention span.
Once your child has reached age 6 they are welcome to be promoted to the next class up, which is our junior class, at 4:25 pm to 5:25 pm, Monday and Wednesday.
Private Lessons are offered by Mrs. Moore. Please call for details and pricing.
School Rules
- Arrive at least 5 minutes prior to your scheduled class.
- Parents/Guardians are to ensure an Instructor is in class before leaving their child for the Little Dragons class (Parents are invited to stay, watch and are encouraged to help in class if they would like to).
- Parents/Guardians are to ensure they are there prior to the end of class to listen to the dismissal announcements and safeguard their child’s whereabouts.
- Ensure your Little Dragon Child has gone to the rest room prior to class and their uniform and belt are all set and tied properly prior to the start of class.
- Help clean the dojo area prior to start of class and immediately after class has ended.
- Place your shoes, socks and coats neatly In the designated area, racks or locker rooms.
- Keep your uniform neat, clean, and odor-free.
- Little Dragons will prepare for class as quietly as possible without disturbing the current class in session (Parents and Guardians please read school rule #2).
- Respect must be shown to your instructor(s) and other Little Dragons at all times.
- Students and guests must always be well-mannered.
- Attend class on a regular basis, be consistent.
- Talk to an instructor if you have any injuries or reasons to limit your participation.
- Let an instructor know ahead of time if you will be missing classes.
- No food, drink, or shoes are allowed inside the training area. This includes parents and guests.
- Return all equipment to its proper place when finished using it.
- Maintain and develop a positive, well-disciplined attitude.
- ALL STUDENTS WILL HAVE FUN!!!!!
The12 Secrets of Black Belt Parents
Secret #1: Black Belt Parents never interact with their children during class. They realize that watching a martial arts class is just like observing their child in regular school, and the instructor is the only person in charge. Interrupting or interacting with their child would be disrespectful to the instructor and distracting to all of the students. Please refrain from all interaction unless asked by the instructor to do so.
Secret #2: Black Belt Parents always bring something quiet to do during their child’s class. They know that talking is disruptive to the class and to other parents who are reading or working quietly. If Black Belt Parents want to socialize, they go outside until the class period is over. Parents and quests watch and wait in the seating area only. Black Belt Parents do not stand or wait by the door, front counter or hallways.
Secret #3: Black Belt Parents always keep their future black belts and Lil Dragons to be (ages 0 and up), under control and quiet during older siblings class. Crying, screaming or rowdy children can be a major distraction to class. Black Belt Parents know this and always take overly enthusiastic little ones outside.
Secret #4: Black Belt Parents realize that Martial Arts Academy is not a day care center, so they drop off and pick up their children promptly. They realize that the front desk staff cannot be responsible for their children left unattended before and after classes. If a child MUST unavoidable be left for extra time, Black Belt Parents always alert the staff and make sure that their child knows where to sit quietly and wait.
Secret #5: Black Belt Parents know how and faithfully practice all school rules and policies. They follow and enforce these rules with their children. When mom and dad follow the school rules and regulation, then their child is more likely to follow their example. This starts at the front door, where everyone is to bow and greet the instructors when entering and leaving.
Secret #6: Black Belt Parents pay attention to what their children are learning in class and reinforce their positive behavior at home. They realize that as parents, they are an important part of the school’s team, & help their children to improve by working with the instructors and staying informed.
Secret #7: Black Belt Parents know that their child is an individual who will progress at their own rate. They never compare a child to their sibling or other students. They encourage and support each child’s progress and help them to set and achieve realistic goals.
Secret #8: Black Belt Parents remember why their child joined in the first place, to improve themselves as people. Black Belt Parents are never harsh or pushy with instructors about how fast their child is learning. They take a moment to see how their child is improving as a whole person, realizing that rank graduation is just a part of the big picture.
Secret #9: Black Belt Parents know that if they have a concern about their child’s training, progress, or about the school, they should go directly to the instructor, not to other parents. Black Belt Parents never start or participate in gossip. In fact, they do their best to stamp it out.
Secret #10: Black Belt Parents are encouraging to all of the students in the school during class, promotion, and demonstrations. They know that through their example, their children will also learn to encourage and support everyone at Martial Arts Academy.
Secret #11: Black Belt Parents always make sure that they and their children show respect and courtesy when attending tournaments and other martial arts functions. They especially avoid confrontations with judges and other parents. Showing respect and courtesy is a great way to teach their children to be good sports, whether they win or lose. If they do have a concern, they respectfully take it to the tournament director or to an event staff member.
Secret #12: Black Belt Parents will always help their children set goals both in and out of martial arts. Black Belt Parents know that goal setting will help their children develop the perseverance and self discipline needed to stick to commitments and achieve great personal success.
Discipline Guidelines
Children are children and that is to be understood and tolerated to some degree. That being said, the child’s individual safety and the safety of other dragons is very important. This cannot be understated and is required in the class.
Respect for one-self and others is something we learn as we develop and expand our understanding. Disciplining another child is a touchy subject but generally speaking, if a child misbehaves the following techniques will be used (with explanations if necessary):
- Redirection techniques will be employed to regain focus
- Appropriate apologies will be requested and given to a parties involved.
- Dragon breaths to help cool down their temperament and attitude
- Reminder Physical Fitness and Disciplinary Encouragement Techniques within reasonable amounts when necessary (i.e. Push Ups, laps, sit ups, jumping jacks which are a very normal in a martial arts class).
- Time outs on the time out mat
- Instructor/Parent-Guardian Discussions
- Instructor/Parent-Guardian/Little Dragon One-on-One discussion
Being a Little Dragon means learning key Martial Moralities such as respect, eddicate, loyalty, modesty, and patience. Simply put, learning some of the important values we all believe are important to have.
LET’S HAVE FUN!
Thank you for your cooperation, understanding and support in advance.
Little Dragon Testing Fees
Please understand, these fees are necessary to maintain our club’s program. Without these fees to support our program, we cannot maintain our program status quo.
Award ceremonies and the awarding of Little Dragon ranks are designed to serve as motivation tool towards success and provide a means to present certificates, recognition special awards and promote Little Dragons to higher ranks. The ranks and merits approximately once every 2 – 3 months based on the skills being taught and this will be a proud moment for our Little Dragon. The ceremony fee covers the cost of promotion, awards, supplies etc and will be set a t $25.00.
These fees are intentionally kept to a minimum to encourage growth and participation in the program while covering the cost of the class supplies, awards and ranks related items. This ceremony and rank fee helps cover the cost of the following items below to name a few:
- Little Dragon Promotions
- Little Dragon Certificates
- Little Dragon Belts
- Dojo Equipment
- Needed Demonstration Supplies
- Little Dragon Obstacle and Drills Supplies
- Little Dragon Handouts
This $25 fee will not increase as the student is promoted to higher ranks until they move up to the Junior Classes. We hope to do our best to keep the cost affordable unless it has been found necessary to increase it to sustain the program.
Please provide this Testing Fee prior to the Testing date to Mrs. Moore so the item(s), supplies etc can be purchased, prepared and presented in time for the occasion.
Please talk to Mrs. Moore if you are having issues making this fee or purchasing a uniform or if you have multiple children in the program. No one will be left out from participating in our program. Something can be discreetly done to help keep your child in this great program.
Thanks you for your support!
Little Dragon Rank System
For each class your child attends, they will receive a sticker to place in our Super Attendance Book. Once your child attends 4 classes he/she will receive a tape stripe on their belt. Once they receive 6 tape stripes or filled up this book, they will then be eligible for their new belt.
The belt ranks and colors are as follows:
Solid White Belt
White / Yellow Stripe
White/ Green Stripe
White/ Blue Stripe
White/ Brown Stripe
White/ Red Stripe
White/ Black Stripe
If your child makes every class in between belts, that is approximately 3 months in between each belt. Once they finish their requirements through their white/black stripe they may be eligible for the next class up, which is the Junior Class.
Uniforms
Students are required to wear martial arts uniforms, which can be purchased at the school.
We try to have uniforms in stock, but it is helpful to call in advance to help ensure that we have a uniform for you. Parents should impress upon their children that uniforms are not play clothes.
Size Chart:
Uniform size 000 00 0 1 2
Clothing size 2-4 4-5 6-8 8-10 10-12
Height 3’-3’5” 3’5”-3”10” 3’10”-4’3” 4’3”-4’8” 4’8”-5’1”
Weight 30-40lbs 40-55lbs 55-70lbs 70-90lbs 90-110lbs
How to Tie a Belt – (This will take some time to learn)
As you've noticed, the belt is about 2 1/2 times your waist size. This is because of the special way it is tied. To tie the belt, follow these steps:
Find the center of the belt and place just below your navel
Wrap both ends of the belt around your waist, keeping the center at your navel.
Cross the end in your left hand over the end in your right and loop it under that end and also around the belt at your waist. As you pull it through, place the end that was in your right hand into your left and the end that was in the left into the right. Pull tight.
Cross the end in your right over the end in your left and loop only under the end in your left hand. Pull tight.
If done correctly, the knot should form an arrow shape pointing to your left.
Health Guidelines
We love having your child/children in class, however please keep them home if any of the following symptoms apply:
- Fever within the last 24 hours.
- Severe or phlegm-producing cough.
- Thick colored nasal discharge.
- Sore throat with fever or swollen glands
- Within 24 hours of beginning antibiotic treatment.
- Three or more watery stools in 24 hours
- Vomiting tow or more times in 24 hours.
- Body rash, especially with a fever.
- While chicken pox sores are still infected.
- Thick mucus or pus draining from the eye.
- While any evidence of lice remain.
Always ask if you would like your child exposed to this.
School Holidays
July 4th (Independence Day)
September (Memorial Day)
October 31st Halloween (We may have a party)
November (Thanksgiving Day)
December 24th and 25th (Christmas Day)
December 31st and January 1st (New Years Eve and Day)
Holiday Days are subject to change without notiice.
Waiting Area
The Little Dragon Class is meant to be fun and enjoyable. Please understand that it is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to safely meet your child after class is over.
Of Course there will be an infrequent occasion when you (parent/guardian or designated guardian) inadvertently can not greet your child immediately after class. When this happens, your child will wait in the waiting room on the couch or chair. If this is a repeatable offense, a discussion with the parent/guardian will be required to hopefully correct this issue.
Birthdays and Special Announcements
If there is something special regarding your Little Dragon and you would like for it to be proudly announced to the other Dragons in the class, please discuss this with Mrs. Moore before class starts as to how you would like this to be announced or approached. Good news or a fun event is something that we all like to hear.
Miscellaneous
Little Dragons Safety Tips
Please visit the web site below and other registries
What are the most important things parents should tell children about safety?
- Always check first with a parent, guardian, or trusted adult before going anywhere, accepting anything, or getting into a car with anyone.
- Do not go out alone. Always take a friend with when going places or playing outside.
- Say NO if someone tries to touch you, or treats you in a way that makes you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. Get out of the situation as quickly as possible.
- Tell a parent, guardian, or trusted adult if you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.
- There will always be someone to help you, and you have the right to be safe.
What should a parent know when talking to a child about safety?
- Don’t forget your older children. Children aged 11 to 17 are equally at risk to victimization. At the same time you are giving your older children more freedom, make sure they understand important safety rules as well.
- Speak to your children in a manner that is calm and non-threatening. Children do not need to be frightened to get the point across. In fact, fear can thwart the safety message, because fear can be paralyzing to a child.
- Speak openly. Children will be less likely to come to you about issues enshrouded in secrecy. If they feel that you are comfortable discussing the subject at hand, they may be more forthcoming.
- Practice what you preach. You may think your children understand your message, but until they can incorporate it into their daily lives, it may not be clearly understood. Find opportunities to practice “what if” scenarios.
- Teach your children that safety is more important than manners. In other words, it is more important for children to get themselves out of a threatening situation than it is to be polite. They also need to know what it is okay to tell you what happened, and they won’t be tattletales.
Counting to 10 in Korean
