Taekwondo is a traditional and representative martial art in Korea, and its aim is mainly focused on not only cultivation of human's spirit and body but also fostering a human-being's capability, requiring in the modern society. In this study, it was...
Taekwondo is a traditional and representative martial art in Korea, and its aim is mainly focused on not only cultivation of human's spirit and body but also fostering a human-being's capability, requiring in the modern society. In this study, it was examined that the effect of Taekwondo training on bodily-kinesthetic intelligence and emotional development in elementary school children. Total 279 of elementary school students were used, and all students were classified into 3 different categories: training experience (trained vs. nontrained), gender difference (male vs. female), and school grade (lower grades vs. higher grades). Two different types of questionnaires were used. Through the Taekwondo training, the changes in emotional development was examined by the questionnaire established by Plutchik (total 49 questions), and the changes in bodily-kinesthetic intelligence was examined by multiple intelligence test (MIT)-physical activity intelligence questionnaire (total 12 questions).
To make comparisons for each variable, independent t-test was used, and TWOWAY ANOVA was adopted to compare those mean values between training status and gender difference, and between training status and grades. Major findings were summarized as follows:
1) Taekwondo training itself and gender differences did not show any significant impact on emotional development.
2) Regularly performing Taekwondo training was significantly affect in emotional changes and developments in higher grade students compared to lower grade students.
3) Taekwonko training itself had a significant impact on bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
4) Gender differences and school grade had a significant impact on bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.
Based on these findings, it was suggested that a specific model can positively contribute to a student's emotional development, should be developed. For promoting the emotional and cognitive development of elementary school students, specific creative guide program is also required. As the principle aim of multiple intelligence development is to discover a student's potential ability, various educational environments should be provided to maximize an individuals' capabilities for making an ultimate educational condition.