NEVER talk down to a Martial Arts student in Surrey and Delta! Engage in a dialogue filled with respect and honor so as to raise a leader filled with integrity and self worth.

NEVER talk down to a Martial Arts student in Surrey and Delta!  Engage in a dialogue filled with respect and honor so as to raise a leader filled with integrity and self worth.

For the entirety of my life, I rarely talk down to anyone.  This concept stems from how my parents raised me with honor and wisdom.  Arrogance and a lack of humility usually leads to people who talk down to others in a callous way.  It is unacceptable and only brings harm to the community in my opinion.  The reason for this Surrey Martial Arts BLOG is how to I approach interacting with Surrey Taekwondo kids and the proper approach for success in changing the path of a student. 
 
As a backdrop to my experience with kids is my 50 yrs of Taekwondo interactions with students in Delta, Surrey, Newton, Langley, Fort Langley, Burnaby, and New Westminster martial arts students.  In addition to my Taekwondo instructor’s experience, I have also devoted decades of instruction as a Sunday school teacher to students ranging from kindergarten; all the way up to college students.  Yes, there were good and not so good experiences.  However, I have always tried a way to connect with people whether they are kids or adults.  This was a top priority to me as an innate quality that God touched my heart with.
 
A crucial concept is to NEVER talk down to anyone; whether they are a child or teen or an adult.  Nobody enjoys being talked down to.  It is a form of arrogance and gas lighting which usually is a tactic used by manipulative people; usually to get a false sense of superiority due to a lack of confidence. 
 
Students of all ages seem very receptive to the approach I take as a teacher of martial arts or Sunday school teacher in Delta, Newton, and Surrey areas.   I ask my Taekwondo students, time to time, what is it that you like in the approach I teach you?  Their following answers are usually:

       1.   I appreciate how you don’t talk down to us like most grown ups
       2.   How you are sincere and seem like you really care
      3.  The extra effort and time you put in to spend time with us during class 

As an adult and/or instructor of Taekwondo and Martial Arts in Newton, Surrey, or Delta, I treat everyone with respect; up til the point where they show me otherwise.  I give everyone the upfront attitude that they are a person worthy of respect and honor.  I tell my students a saying I learned from my World Famous Taekwondo father.  My Surrey Taekwondo dad would say in class, “ Respect given is respect earned!”   I cannot demand respect from my students.  It is something that which should be earned.  Sure, no one is perfect; but there is nothing wrong with trying to be the best person from within.  I don’t spend much time on my failures; but instead, I learn from each failure so as to project my life in the positive direction that is intended!  This concept is paramount to one who wishes to live with integrity. 
 
Of course I agree that usually adults have garnered more wisdom and experience than that of a child.  I am not saying otherwise.  However, do we really need to rub it into the face of a young child? A child is in the early stages of trying to determine what he/she stands for in life and can be an incredibly difficult journey in today’s tech world.  That said, more knowledge does not equate to more maturity in my opinion.  Children are exposed to too much at an earlier age than I am accustomed to.  Back in the 70’s, our lives as children were way more simplified.  We worried about good marks, making good friendships, and pimples.  Nowadays, too much is thrown at children unnecessarily!  They grow up way to quick.  It’s like kids turning from 6 years are going onto 16 as the old adage goes. 
 
More than ever, kids need to be talked to in a straight forward and honest approach.  Kids test us more today than of yester years.  Kids just want to be respected for who they are.  Sure, they need discipline when its appropriate.  But for the most part, they just want to feel that someone hears them for who they are.  At my Surrey and Newton Jong Kim Martial Arts school, I listen to each child intently and with purpose!  They are real people with real feelings with real heart.  You want to know the truth about something?  Ask a kid!!  They usually never lie and tell you as it is; not as you wish their response to be.  This is the reason we need to respect children for their truthful qualities; something most adults have learned to twist as they get older.  I know, I’m guilty of this at times.  Remember, no one’s perfect right?

My few favorite school and university teachers all had these same great qualities as outlined above!  Ms Booth; my fantastic grade 3 teacher.  Dr Yorke grade 12 honors Biology teacher. Ms Jeanine 2nd yr Criminology University SFU.   Mr Sullivan Philosophy 200 SFU.  They have left a profound impact on my character to this day; in which I am eternally thankful for!
 
To truly have a connection with a Taekwondo or martial arts students in Newton, Surrey, or Delta, a martial arts instructor needs to be genuine and thoughtful. 
 
The second point is to demonstrate true sincerity in your approach with kids.  Remember I told you that kids are the most perceptive human beings?  They are!  They notice the small things that most adults miss.  They pick up on the kind words you use towards them in our Surrey and Newton Taekwondo Classes!  I see it all the time; everyday!!  When a child knows feels you are genuine, they are more likely to reciprocate respect and follow complex taekwondo or martial arts drill routines!  They tend to persevere and not give up easily as a result.  This yields tremendous results.  These Taekwondo students reaps self worth, confidence, and resilience; something every parent longs for their martial arts child and future adult!  
 
Thirdly, go the extra mile with the Newton and Surrey taekwondo kids during classes!  I do!!!   Actions always speak louder than words!  I can tell my students I care but it doesn’t really come into focus until I SHOW THEM I CARE during our Surrey and Newton Jong Kim Martial Arts classes!!  Everyday, I intentionally try to make each student feel special!  They deserve it!   A martial arts instructor and student relationship is quite special to me.  It is an opportunity to raise the next gen of future adults who work hard, never give up, and with strong ethical character!  The bible says that one who cannot be trusted with an egg, will never be trusted with greater things.  I tell my students to do the right thing even if no one sees you!  As a Surrey or Delta parent, don’t we all wish our kids would do the right thing? Of course we do!  We cannot be with our child 24/7.  We cannot see them being tempted to lie a little, cheat a little or steal a little can we?  During my surrey and Newton Martial arts classes, my students do not think I see everything that goes on.  Boy are they wrong!  Through my intense sparring sessions, I learned that seeing things in the corner of my eye comes in handy against 100 kph kicks and punches coming from all angles!  Sure I may miss a few things here and there but I am quick to see things that can potentially arise; good or bad and take swift measures accordingly. 
 
I usually don’t do this but on odd occasions I spend my free time on weekends with a select few of my Surrey and Newton Taekwondo students.  If I know a child’s father has abandoned them, I’ll cheerfully ask permission to play soccer with them or whatever they are interested in.  I’ll buy them ice cream afterwards or take them to PNE if I know they are financially challenged.  I always ask respectfully and thoughtfully!  This is key in my opinion.  It matters how you treat someone with respect!  I do no do this for praise or accolades.  Actually, this is the first time I mentioned this to anyone; not even my family or wife knows I do this on the odd occasion.  I do this because if I switched places with that student of mine; I sure would wish someone would care; like really care; not because they have to, but because they really want to!
 
I challenge you all to show kindness and respect to young ones; whether they are your children, your friend’s children, or your family.  Love never fails!  I have seen the fruit of my enjoyable labor.  You will reap what you sow!  So everyone, go reap a harvest where kindness and respect permeates every aspect of your life!  This is my approach to my taekwondo and martial arts students in our Delta, Newton, and Surrey area!  I learned this from my father.  He set this example early on in life towards me and I am so thankful my dad and my master had and has such a crucial influence on my life! 
 
If my life approach towards my Delta, Newton, and Surrey Martial Arts is congruent to your personal approach, I truly welcome your kids to come try Surrey’s renowned Jong Kim Martial Arts academy in Newton, BC!
 
Jong Kim Martial Arts - Surrey - Taekwondo.
Unit 136 - 7536 130 Street,
Surrey, BC,
V3W 1H8.

Canada.


www.JKTKD.ca



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