The 5 Tenets of Taekwondo are Courtesy, Integrity, Perseverance, Self-Control, Indomitable Spirit.  This month we are teaching our students about INTEGRITY

Teaching children how to act with integrity is vital for their development. Without integrity, children break promises, lie, and have no concern for others. Integrity means to adhere to moral and ethical principles, and if taught correctly, children will take these lessons with them as they grow up.

Here is a guideline regarding children and integrity based on age:

With children ages 3 and 4:

They are learning right from wrong. Teach them about the importance of telling the truth.

With children ages 5 and 6:

They are beginning to understand other people's feelings. Teach them how to treat others the way you want to be treated.

With children ages 7 and 9:

They are becoming responsible. Teach them how to take pride in their responsibilities, particularly with promises they make.

With children ages 10 to 14:

They want to be independent. Teach them how to apply ethics when making independent choices.TIntegrity is by far one of the very best character traits one can have. People with integrity make better choices and are more responsible. Having integrity can take a long time to learn, but the more a child practices this, the more likely he or she will develop this crucial value.

We like to give our students quizzes to help them understand.  Here are some quizzes by age group that you can do with your child.  Have them answer “integrity” or “not integrity”

Ages 3 & 4:

You don't want to go to school today so you pretend that you are sick? (Not integrity)

You spilled milk on the floor and instead of walking away, you clean it up? (Integrity)

You accidentally wrote on the wall with marker, so you quickly hide it so that your parent's don't see? (Not integrity)

Ages 5 & 6

You accidentally step on a classmate's foot, so you quickly apologize? (Integrity)

You don't like your neighbor, so you ignore her when she waves to you? (Not Integrity)

You choose not to tease your classmate because you know it's the wrong thing to do? (Integrity)

You broke your glasses, so you hide them so that your parent's don't find out? (Not Integrity)

Ages 7 to 9

You promise your parents that you will be on your best behavior for your babysitter. What are good examples and bad examples of having integrity while your parents are away? (Ask your child to give a few suggestions)

- Good examples: you listen to your babysitter and you follow instructions without giving her a hard time.

- Bad examples: you ignore your babysitter and misbehave the whole night.

You are testing for your next belt in a week and your instructor asks you to practice extra at home. What are good examples and bad examples of having integrity with your training? (Ask your child to give a few suggestions)

- Good examples: you practice every day and you ask your parents for help.

- Bad examples: you don't practice at all because you don't think you need extra help.

Ages 10 to 14
Your friend finds a way to shoplift at a local clothing store without getting caught. He asks you if you want to help. Would you:

a. Say yes, but only if there is absolutely no way that you will get caught?

b. Tell your friend no because it is morally wrong to steal from others?

Your classmate shows you a way to cheat on your math exam. Would you:

a. Say yes, but only if there is absolutely no way that you will get caught?

b. Tell your classmate no because it is ethically wrong to cheat?

Let us know how it goes teaching your children about Integrity!!