The #1 Reason Kids Quit Martial Arts? The Car Ride Home.

Here’s something most parents don’t realize:
Kids don’t usually quit martial arts during class—they quit on the way home.

Not because class was too hard.
Not because they didn’t have fun.
But because they didn’t feel good enough.

At Plano Taekwondo America, we see it happen when parents (with the best intentions!) start coaching from the sidelines or critiquing right after class.

“Your push-ups weren’t real push-ups.”
“Why weren’t you focused?”
“You need to try harder next time.”
“You’re not kicking like that other kid.”

And suddenly, the pride that child felt from just showing up, trying something new, and getting through 45 minutes of effort—vanishes.

Kids Need Cheerleaders, Not Critics

Let’s be honest: Taekwondo is hard.

Our students are working on balance, control, memorization, focus, and physical skills—all at once! For many, this is the first time they’ve been asked to follow instructions, stand still, or manage frustration without giving up. That’s huge.

And while we are trained to guide, correct, and motivate them through that process…
what kids really need from you is support.

Here’s what that looks like:

When your kid looks over at you during class? Smile.
When they get a stripe or break a board? Cheer.
When they hop in the car after class? Say, “I’m proud of how hard you worked today.”

Leave the technical stuff to us. If there’s a problem with behavior or effort, we’ll let you know. Otherwise, your job is simply to help your child feel like a rockstar for being there.

We’re Not Trying to Build Perfect Kicks—We’re Building Strong Kids

Every class is about more than just martial arts. It’s about shaping kids into confident, respectful, focused young people who don’t give up when things are hard.

We’re not expecting perfection—we’re looking for progress.
Because the real goal? Raising awesome humans.

When kids feel supported, they stick with it longer. They develop resilience. They enjoy the process. And one day, they look back and realize all those kicks and punches helped shape who they are.

Come See for Yourself

At Plano Taekwondo America, we’re proud to teach self-defense for kids, build character, and help families grow stronger—together. Whether your child is brand-new to martial arts or ready to level up their focus and confidence, we’ve got a place for them:

We’d love to have you visit, watch a class, or jump in and train with us.
If you’ve had a great experience already, please help other families find us by leaving a Google review!