New NPTA youth students earn colored stripes on their white belt for learning small amounts of information.

• Yellow.....Stretching routine; Answering up consistently
• Orange.....Front stance; Low block; Front kick
• Green.....Punch; Back stance; Sidekick
• Purple.....Inner forearm block; First half of Chon-Ji
• Blue.....Second half of Chon-Ji; Can tell left from right
• Brown.....Backfist; Knifehand; Recite Spirit of Taekwondo
• Red.....One Step Challenge; 1st One Step
• Black.....2nd and 3rd One Steps

At this point, your child is ready to test for yellow belt, and will be placed on the list for the next belt-rank testing.  See your instructor for a testing application!

In an effort to ensure our youth students are fully prepared for the belt testing experience, the NPTA has instituted a pre-qualifying step that must be completed before your child is recommended to test.  This pre-qualifying step means your child must have his/her form, and sparring ability, approved on 3 different occasions, by 3 different NPTA Black Belts.  Once the youth's form, or sparring, has been demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Black Belt, your child will receive a "Good Job" card for that skill.  Once 3 "Good Job" cards have been obtained for that skill, they must be presented to your Chief Instructor, who will place an "Excellent Form" stripe, or a "Sparring" stripe, on his/her belt. 

Demonstration of form or sparring must be done on student's own time, either before or after class.  All NPTA Black Belts will be happy to help---all your child has to do is ask! 

The final step to being placed on the testing list is the "Breaking" stripe.  Each child must complete their required breaks in class before they will be allowed to test.  This requirement will give your child an extra incentive for practice at home, and will also ensure the techniques are being executed with the proper form and power.  This will also help with self-esteem, as fewer kids will be going away from testing with wood unbroken!

These 3 pre-requisites to youth testing will sometimes mean extra time in rank---however, these requirements will produce better martial artists, and ultimately, better people.  Please remember that your child's martial arts journey is not about receiving a black belt before any one else---it is about our children learning life principles that will help guide them through the rest of their life.  The NPTA is proud to help your child become the best they can be!

Here are some fun, informative links your Little Dragon can visit for great safety information!

"McGruff" the Crime Dog

"Sparky" the Fire Dog

www.ncar.ucar.edu/eo/kids

www.nws.noaa.gov/om/reachout/fun.shtml