A Guide To Football For 6 Year Olds

5th June 2024

Here is our full guide to football for 6 year olds! In this blog, we will cover what child development at 6 years old may look like and how Kixx football lessons perfectly support this.  

If you’re looking for a fun and engaging hobby for your 6 year old, then this blog is a great place to start! 

Child Development At 6 Years Old 

Every child will develop differently and at different rates. So, in no way are we suggesting that if your child doesn’t quite match up to these development stages then there’s something to worry about. That’s simply not the case!  

And trust us, we’ve had the joy of seeing children develop from toddlers to pre-teens for over 10 years. No one child is the same. 

That being said, research into child development suggests what skills children at 6 years old may be harnessing.  

Cognitive Milestones  Language & Communication  
– Can structure sentences and regularly expand their vocabulary 
– Able to retell and describe events, ideas or people 
– Can follow a series of three commands  
Thinking & Learning  
– Can grasp basic math concepts like add and takeaway 
– Starting to read and write letters/words 
– Improved ability to problem-solve  
Memory & Attention  
– Can focus on one task for at least 15 minutes  
– Improved recollection 
– Can sing along with some songs 
– Has a concept of time   
Social Milestones Family  
– Strong attachment to family  
– Starting to understand roles in a family 
– Some more independence, but still need parental support   
Peer-To-Peer 
– Solidifying friendships  
– Playing cooperatively with others 
– Developing empathy toward others 
– Can understand taking turns  
Social Skills 
– Understand manners and how to be polite 
– Improved grasp of social settings and appropriate behaviour  
– Can express themself  
Physical Milestones Gross Motor Skills 
– Developing coordination and balance  
– Engaging in sports activities  
– Controlled jumping and running 
– Ability to climb   
Fine Motor Skills  
– Can handle a pen using muscles in their hands 
– Greater precision tying shoelaces and doing up buttons   

Can Football For 6 Year Olds Help With School? 

While school is one of the most beneficial, educational and supportive systems in a young child’s life, that is not to say it doesn’t come without its challenges.  

School can be nerve-wracking for anyone. Needing to focus for long periods of the day, make friends, socialise… Whether you’re a 6 and at primary school or in your early twenties at uni, it can be a lot! 

You might not have thought it already, but there’s a whole host of ways that football for 6 year olds can help with school.  

Football lessons for 6 year olds encourage them to make friends and grow their confidence in a ‘pressure-off’ environment. They also have the opportunity to develop their understanding of instruction and routine, which will support them in the classroom.  

For more information, check out our blog about how football helps prepare your child for primary school

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The Benefits Of Football For 6 Year Olds  

In many ways, football for 6 year olds supports and aligns with the developmental stages we listed above.  

Here are some examples of how your child could benefit from football lessons: 

  • Develop Fitness: Football helps to improve cardiovascular health by increasing stamina and endurance. Children who regularly exercise from a young age are more likely to become healthier adults
  • Improve Strength And Flexibility: Regular participation in football helps muscle development.  
  • Learn To Work As Part Of A Team: Working as a football team teaches young children how to be better at listening, sharing and supporting one another.  
  • Make Friends: Football for 6 year olds gives an opportunity to meet more peers the same age, make friends outside of school and develop social skills.  
  • Communicate Effectively: Outside of family and school, children learn how to communicate with coaches and teammates who are (at first) strangers! 
  • Boost Of Self Esteem: Winning, being part of a team, exercising helps to boost self-confidence and self-esteem. 
  • Improve Sense Of Discipline And Responsibility: Following and understanding the rules of the game and committing to a team improves self-discipline and responsibility. 
  • Can Focus Better: Football for 6 year olds requires concentration and regular practice. These transferable skills can be used in the classroom. 

A Guide To Football For 6 Year Olds At Kixx

In a guide to football for 6 year olds, you must know that at Kixx, football is all about fun.  

Yes, the classes support development, nurture talent, create a positive environment, and teach lots of valuable lessons, but at the root of it all is enjoyment. We make sure that in each session, there is something for everyone.  

That’s one of the reasons we divide our classes into suitable and appropriate age ranges, so we can tailor what we deliver depending on the developmental stages and the best way to engage a specific age category.  

Whether your little one has been playing football since they were walking or is a complete new starter, every child is welcome at Kixx.   

In our classes, football for 6 year olds consists of learning and practicing drills to establish the foundations of football. Over time, these skills will develop, and the children will start taking part in match simulations and games that encourage sportsmanship.  

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Football For 6 Year Olds At Kixx 

We hope this blog has been a useful guide to football for 6 year olds!  

If you’re reading this because you’re looking for ways to support your 6 year old’s development, help them make new friends, grow in confidence and find a fun new hobby, then why not see if we have an academy near you

If you would like any more information about what to expect in our classes, or football for 6 year olds in general, please get in touch. You can reach us by calling 01302 618080 or emailing admin@kixx.org.uk.