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As I am sure you know, there are numerous different Taekwondo associations, federations, and alliances, both domestically and internationally. The various time and class attendance requirements between belts are governed by the guidelines adopted/enforced by the particular organization with which the student is affiliated.

WTF/Kukkiwon is 3 years minimum from 1st to 3rd Dan.
AAU is 3.5 years minimum from 1st to 3rd Dan, minimum age 13.
USAT is 3.5 years minimum from 1st to 3rd Dan.
ITF is 3.5 years minimum from 1st to 3rd Dan.
What else is there?

Then there's the technicality that the WTF/Kukkiwon (the real TKD governing body in Korea) does not recognize anyone under 18 years old as being a Black Belt. They are called a Poom (1st Poom, 2nd Poom, etc). I think it's fantastic that your kids have worked so hard at TKD, and I applaud their success. I just get equally nuts about schools that promote kids too fast, as well as the schools that promote any kid just because they have completed the time requirement. Both instances diminish the true value of the black belt.