Five-year-old Ella Treloar from Narre Warren shows off her taekwondo moves. 41711 Picture: Stewart ChambersBy Kelly Yates
CASEY children as young as three are learning martial arts to help boost their self-confidence and improve discipline.
Ella Treloar from Narre Warren is one of many youngsters taking up taekwondo, with her mother Lauren saying the five-year-old had gained more confidence by participating in the weekly classes.
Ella has been learning the kicks and punches of taekwondo or the past three years in the Hiyah Kidz program at Evolution Taekwondo in Narre Warren.
The pre-school and early school program also raises awareness about having good manners, respect and self-control, according to instructor Jodi Brown.
Mrs Treloar says she feels more comfortable sending Ella to school this year knowing she can listen and follow instructions.
Ella will start Prep at Timbarra Primary School in Berwick later this month.
“Ella is learning how to co-ordinate movements and work in a team taekwondo,” Mrs Treloar said.
Mrs Treloar’s three-year-old daughter Ruby is also following in her sister’s footsteps by learning the sport.
Ms Jodi Brown, who has been involved in tae kwon do instruction for more than 35 years, says the demand for the Hiyah Kidz program at the centre is continually growing.
“So far this year we have 26 children enrolled for the three-year-old and four-year-old classes,” she said.
Ms Brown teaches taekwondo to people aged from three to their early 50s.
