here's something to ponder. i started when i was 4. nearly 12 years later i'm preparing for my 2nd dan test and i'm really grateful that i had the oppurtunity to start as young as i did.

I've noticed how those who start martial arts early as children have more control when sparring in tournaments, as opposed to the hormone-ridden, adrenaline pumped, pre-MMA fanatic out-of-control super junior divisions that I usually spar in.

That matter aside...I believe the ripe age for a child to start is when they understand responsibility.

It all depends on maturity and willingness to learn, not age. Students can be 1 and have the maturity and commitment of a 7 year old and vice versa. It all depends.

i think it is true that kids that young may not grasp the idea of forms and practical applications, but i must say that it is highly beneficial. you start hearing words like respect, discipline, courtesy, and perseverance before you know what they mean. however those words reflect on you. i look at my peers at school and i see people who drink, smoke, get bad grades, do drugs, etc. and i wonder, what if i hadn't started TKD way back when? would i be one of them? would i blow off homework assignments? skip class? would baseball or football do the same thing to me? would i make the honor roll EVERY semester? in my heart i feel the answer is no. when i started, i didn't fully understand what TKD was about, but after a while it just became a part of me and it reflects positively in all aspects of my life. in the end i think that 4 years old is not too young. it worked for me and i'm turning out more than OK.

Hello TKD-X:

With respect, well earned I have no doubt.... yet is also one of the meaningful serious arguments against you (generic) too. Consider the equasion 16 = 2nd degree. (Age + the number of the next rank to determine your potential age at that rank.)

16=2
19=3rd
23=4th
28=5th
34=6th
41=7th
49=8th
59=9th

69= top of the "pyramid" Can you see the basic problem some of us old guys/old timers might well have with that??? A double edged sword (sic. with some seriously honed edge)...

Jeff

Hello Sire:

Understood, think its worth making regardless... tricky issues these but worth kicking around I hope.

Jeff

Hello Evenrats:

<<<I believe the ripe age for a child to start is when they understand responsibility.

[That makes em all PARENTS themselves...]

Jeff

Hello TKD-X:

Sounds like it...

Cannot tell you how many times kids who were with us, (and STILL are) keep coming back with the epiphany "... geeze I don't have a clue what I was #$*#_# doing when I was younger, but now that I'm older (sic. 20's) I "get it"..."

Deja-vu over and over and over...
Jeff

Quote:

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here's something to ponder. i started when i was 4. nearly 12 years later i'm preparing for my 2nd dan test and i'm really grateful that i had the oppurtunity to start as young as i did.

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As I said in my post, there are reasons for and against young children doing martial arts, and I'm not sure where I stand on that issue. However, my concern is purely for mixing ages like this, i.e. adults training with young children. That situation is detrimental for everybody IMO.