Over the past few months, I have noticed something interesting in the dojang. Children have been shouting “6! 7!” with excitement, laughing, high-fiving, and using it almost like a secret code. To adults, it might seem silly or random, but to children, these simple numbers have become a playful trend—a small way of expressing energy, belonging, and fun.

Trends like “6 and 7” show us something important about today’s generation of kids. The world they are growing up in is fast, loud, and constantly changing. New trends appear every week, information moves quicker than ever, and children are surrounded by endless entertainment. In this kind of environment, kids naturally look for moments of connection—things that make them feel part of a group, things that feel simple and joyful. “6 and 7” is one of those moments.

But as Taekwondo instructors, our role is not just to observe these trends—we reinterpret them and use them as opportunities to teach values.

When a child shouts “6!” and another responds with “7!” they are not just playing. They are communicating, expressing emotion, testing boundaries, and searching for belonging. This reminds us that children today often express themselves in quick, small ways. They don’t always use long conversations—they use gestures, numbers, memes, or sounds. And inside those small expressions is a bigger message: “See me. Hear me. Connect with me.”

This is where Taekwondo becomes powerful.

In the dojang, we take something as simple as “6 and 7” and give it deeper meaning. If “6” means energy and excitement, then “7” can mean focus and respect. One hand for fun, the other hand for discipline. Just like balance in Taekwondo—fast and slow, strong and soft, joy and self-control.

Through structured training, children learn:

how to express themselves with confidence

how to channel energy with purpose

how to belong to a group without losing individuality

how to understand limits, respect, and emotional control

Modern children face more stimulation, more pressure, and more distraction than any generation before them. This is why character education is not optional—it is essential. Taekwondo helps them learn perseverance, courage, kindness, responsibility, and humility not through lectures, but through daily practice.

When a child bows before class, that simple motion teaches gratitude. When a child waits for their turn, they practice patience. When they struggle with a technique but don’t give up, they build resilience. When they encourage a teammate, they learn compassion.

So maybe “6 and 7” can become more than just a fun trend. At our dojang, it can be a bridge—between what excites today’s children and the deeper values we want to teach them. A reminder that even in a fast changing world, the principles of Taekwondo still guide them toward becoming stronger, kinder, and more confident human beings.

And if saying “6 and 7” together makes them laugh a little and feel connected, then maybe that is the perfect starting point for the journey of character development.