Aside from the obvious benefits like being physically active, football lessons actually help children develop their social skills. Many researchers believe this to be because they are around other children with a common interest, working with other children to achieve something. In this blog, we’re going to explore some of the ways football can help kids with social skills that can be used on and off the football pitch.
If you are asking – can football help kids with social skills? The answer is absolutely yes. Let’s explore exactly how football can help kids with social skills.
Making Friends at Football Lessons
One of the best things about football lessons is making new friends. There’s no better way to meet other children with shared interests than through a session at one of our Kixx Academies! And the weekly sessions are only bound to build both commitment to the sessions and a bond of friendship. Plus, a weekly session is an easier commitment for parents to make.
Kids will bond over shared interests, whether they want to be a future England captain or the next Jude Bellingham. Building friendships over shared interests is enough to create friendships that last a lifetime.
Improving Communication Skills
Going to a weekly session and playing a sport means that communication is necessary. Without communicating, team sports are hard to succeed in.
A great way to indirectly connect with the children at these sessions is to play games that keep them engaged and entertained. Kixx creates the perfect environment – it’s safe, friendly, fun – to encourage communication and interacting with others.
Building Cooperation Skills
Without teamwork or cooperation, no football team will ever function effectively. Playing as part of a team, or just attending one of our football classes, will help children learn how to work around other children.
Coaches often teach the children important lessons about respect and teamwork, having patience in sessions. Their football coach is a leader that’s always trying to improve their abilities which is why many children look to them as a source of learning. Having children in groups and managing them to play as best they can increase their social awareness and understanding of others. This is also further enhanced without the competitive nature of being part of a football team.
Develop Feelings of Empathy
Empathy is an important emotion as we grow up because we use it to understand and care for others better. It is also one of the more undervalued feelings that football can teach a child.
To be part of a group seems like just a regular necessity at football sessions. What it teaches children is valuable. They’ll learn to care about their teammates’ and friends’ wellbeing. They’ll help to encourage and motivate each other for playing and showing their support. Even if it’s something as simple and as sweet as a hug or a smile.
Dealing with Setbacks
It’s a given, not every game in football is won and not every skill is mastered. Developing your ability is based upon patience and dedication so it’s possible that children might experience dejection when they don’t come first or don’t master a skill.
Overcoming this setback is what is important and what weekly sessions can teach children. Facing a challenge and overcoming it is an important lesson for kids that they’ll take into the future. Even if they face setbacks, if children feel encouraged and comfortable enough to continue trying new things, they’ll continue improving and developing.
Can Kixx Help Kids With Social Skills?
At Kixx we aim to have a positive impact on a child’s life at every opportunity. And this is what our football academies are centred around. We focus on the physical and social development of children through the enjoyment and fulfilment of football – the world’s most popular sport.
Every football class held is intended to be fun, age-appropriate, high in energy, and creative for children. At Kixx, our football classes for children have been greatly designed for both boys and girls, starting from the age of 18 months until 10 years. Your children have plenty of opportunities to make friends at every Kixx Football Academy.
Find your nearest academy; we’re located throughout the country! To learn more about children’s football just get in touch with us. Ring 01302 618080 for a direct line or send an email to admin@kixx.org.uk.
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