From Ninjas to Taekwondo Tots: Introducing Our New Early Years Programme April 2026

Total Taekwondo
2 minutes ago
3 min read

What Is Taekwondo Tots?

Taekwondo Tots is our beginner martial arts programme for children aged 4–6, designed to introduce students to the official Total Taekwondo syllabus, aligned with international standards.

Unlike many pre-martial arts programmes that focus only on games and movement, Taekwondo Tots students begin working towards recognised grades from the very start.

Children will:

Learn real Taekwondo techniques
Progress through the official belt system
Develop confidence, discipline, and focus
Build strong martial arts foundations early

Each class is carefully structured to balance fun, learning, and skill development, ensuring young students stay motivated while progressing at a pace suited to their age.

Starting the Black Belt Journey Early

One of the biggest differences with the Taekwondo Tots programme is that students begin their official Taekwondo journey straight away.

From their very first classes, children start learning the same fundamental skills that older students practise, including:

Basic blocks
Strikes and kicks
Balance and coordination
Simple self-defence concepts

By introducing these skills earlier, students develop stronger technique and deeper understanding as they grow.

Many of our coaches began Taekwondo at a young age and remember learning these same core foundations — skills that helped shape their confidence both inside and outside the dojang.

FAQs

What Happens If My Child Has (or Nearly Has) Their Grading Stripe?

If your child has already been working towards their next stripe, they won’t lose their progress.

Instead, they will be awarded their next Ninja belt, allowing them to begin fresh within the new stripe system while continuing to progress.

Can Current Total 3-Year-Olds Join Taekwondo Tots?

Yes.

All current students already in the system can transition into the Taekwondo Tots programme, even if they are still 3 years old.

Our coaches will ensure the transition is smooth and that students continue learning in a supportive and encouraging environment.

What If My Child Is 7 (or Nearly 7)?

Children who are 7 years old, or competent 6-year-olds ready for the next step, will move into our Taekwondo Ages 7–11 classes.

This ensures students are always training with peers at the right stage of development while continuing their martial arts progression.

How Will Progression Work for Ninjas Who Have Already Earned Belts?

Students who previously earned Ninja coloured stripe belts will transition into the new system in a clear and structured way.

Their progression will look like this:

Grade as a White Belt within the new system
Receive a Half White / Half Yellow Belt after grading
Progress to Full Yellow Belt

This ensures students maintain momentum while aligning with the official belt structure.

Will my child still earn stripes on their belt?

Yes. We have updated our syllabus to include award stripes for Taekwondo Tots.

Orange Stripe – Pad Work

Red Stripe – Movement Sport 1-4-1

Blue Stripe – Basics

Purple Stripe – Kicking

Brown Stripe – Poomsae

Green & Yellow Stripe – Board Breaking / Destruction

Green Stripe – Fitness

Brown Stripe – 1-Step & Self Defence

Grey Stripe - Disicpline

Black Stripe - Grading

How long are the Taekwondo Tots classes?

Our Taekwondo Tots classes will be 45 minutes long. Giving students an extra 15 minutes of learning time compared to our Ninja Programme.

Why Are We Introducing Taekwondo Tots?

As a coaching team, we believe students should begin their Black Belt journey from day one.

By introducing the official World Taekwondo syllabus earlier, students gain:

Stronger technical foundations
Greater confidence in their abilities
A clear pathway through the belt system
Opportunities to begin competing sooner

For students who may wish to pursue Taekwondo competitively in the future, starting earlier can make a huge difference in skill development.

Overall, this programme helps us:

Provide greater value to students’ learning
Greater value to class fees
Create a clear and structured progression pathway
Develop competition-ready skills earlier
Improve the overall structure of our classes

Timetable - From April 1st 2026

Speak to Coach Stewart Directly.

Email: info@totaltaekwondo.co.uk

Whatsapp: +44 7928 423 393