🐯 Tiger Tot Level-Up System!

Who are Tiger Tots?

• Tiger Tots are our youngest students, under 6 years old.
  
• The recommended starting age is 3 ½ years old, though we have trained children younger.
  
• Parents enrolling students before 3 ½ should know:
  
  • Their child may progress more slowly.
    
  • They may not complete a full 30-minute class.
    
  • As long as they are not disruptive, enthusiastic younger students are always welcome.
    

How the Level-Up System Works

• All students start with no belt.
• Belt Testing is every 2 months, conducted in a group setting.
• Tiger Tot Ranks are “Training Belts” (not official Kukkiwon ranks). They are designed to reward effort, focus, and learning progress.
• The Goal: to keep children motivated through “earning while learning.”
• Stripes:  Earn an extra stripe on your belt every class by focusing and paying attention!

Training Belt Ranking Order

1. No Belt
2. Black/Yellow
3. Black/Orange
4. Black/Green
5. Black/Blue
6. Black/Red
7. White Belt → First official Tae Kwon Do rank

➡️ At White Belt, Tiger Tots are encouraged to move into the Juniors Program (even if they are not yet 6 years old).

Optional Transition Belts (if not fully ready for Juniors curriculum):

• White/Yellow
  
• White/Orange
  
• White/Green
  
• White/Blue
  
• White/Red
  
• Yellow Belt → Second official Tae Kwon Do rank
  

⚠️ Parents should avoid rushing this stage: once a student earns Yellow Belt, there are no more Tiger Tot “training belts” to progress through.

Requirements to Progress

• Minimum requirement: Board Break at each test.
• Learning as much of Kicho Poomsae (Form 1) as possible (8 movements).
  • Low Block, Punch, Punch, Punch – Aiyah!
  • High Block, High Block, High Block, Punch – Aiyah!
• Effort and progress matter more than perfection — not completing the full form doesn’t mean failure.
• Answer as many life skill questions as possible! (At least one to pass - but the more the Tiger Tot can remember, the better!

​Life Skills & Questions
​(Recite as many as possible - have them all down before you test into juniors class!)

Students learn and recite answers at each level, building character and discipline:
3 Rules of Concentration

1. Eye Focus
2. Mind Focus
3. Body Focus, Sir!

Tae Kwon Do Facts

• Where does Tae Kwon Do come from? → South Korea!
• Why do we do Tae Kwon Do? → To be a better person! (with hand motion)
• What is your goal in Tae Kwon Do? → To get the black belt, Sir!

Defining Terms

• Respect → Listening and being kind, Sir! (grab ear)
• Discipline → Stay on track, Sir! (hands like train tracks)
• Confidence → Believe in myself, Sir! (flex muscles)
• Judgment → Do the right thing, Sir! (point forward)

Behavioral Questions (answers: “YES SIR!”)

• Do you clean your room?
• Do you brush your teeth?
• Do you listen to your parents?
• Do you eat your vegetables?
• Are you standing straight?

Basic Techniques (Frequently used in class)

• Attention Stance (Charyut) → Standing tall, hands at sides, “YES SIR!”
  
• Bow (Kyung-eh) → 90° bow
  
• Kicking Stance (Bahl-Chagi-Joohnbi) → Guard hand up, front hand extended
  
• Ready Stance (Joohnbi) → Hands forward, feet shoulder-width apart
  

Commands to Know:

• She-Jak → “Go!” (begin)
  
• Bah-Roe → “Return” (finish)
  

​Skills Beyond the Basics

• Tiger Tots may be introduced to extra kicks, self-defense moves, and skills depending on focus level.
• These are not required for testing, but show the instructor’s confidence in their progress.
• Korean counting (1–10) may also be taught to advanced Tiger Tots.

1. Hana
2. Dool
3. Set
4. Net
5. Dahsut
6. Yahsut
7. Ilgob
8. Yahdool
9. Ah hap
​10. Yool

Program Philosophy

he Tiger Tot program takes the junior white belt curriculum and spreads it across 6 testings. This ensures:

• Small, achievable steps.
  
• Frequent recognition.
  
• Focus on fun, confidence, and steady growth.
  

Above all, Tiger Tots are encouraged to enjoy the journey and progress at their own pace.

Recommended Breaking Technique for Each Rank (Tiger Tots can also choose their own)

1. No Belt to Black Yellow -  Hammer Fist
2. Black/Yellow to Black Orange - Jumping Hammer Fist
3. Black/Orange to Black Green - Spinning Hammer Fist
4. Black/Green to Black Blue - Axe Kick
5. Black/Blue to Black Red - Spin Axe Kick
6. Black/Red to White Belt - Running Jump Kick

Video Follow Alongs for Tiger Tots

QUESTION FOLLOW ALONG

Kicho Poomsae Follow Along Front View

Kicho Poomsae Follow Along Back View