In this blog, we will discuss making friends before starting school with infant football classes. At Kixx, the value of friendship is never lost on us. One of the many joys of being a children’s football coach is seeing friendships form. Here’s our insight into how football lessons and making friends before starting school support social development.
Making Friends Before Starting School With Infant Football Classes: The Importance Of Friendship
Friendship holds some of the most value in our lives. From enhancing our emotional resilience to literally improving our physical health and brainpower, friendship offers a wealth of benefits in our lives.
Our friends uplift us, make us laugh, teach us new things, offer a new perspective, and are incredible listeners. The value of friendship is immeasurable.
Why Social Skills Are Important For Children?
Social skills are undoubtedly one of the most important skills for infants and anyone for that matter. How they treat people, socialise, and get along with others will set a precedent for the relationships they have in their early life and beyond.
As we know, friendship is of immense value. Children are constantly learning from those around them, by observing, copying, listening, exploring, and asking as many questions as possible!
Working on social skills will lead to better interactions with family, peers, teachers, the lovely cashier person at the shops, football coaches, and every friendly person a child encounters.
How social skills benefit infants-
- Improves playtime and the learning experiences that go along with it– children learn how to problem solve, work in a team, resolve conflicts, empathise, treat others with kindness, share, become a leader, and take responsibility in play
- Prepares them for the transition to school
- Helps them to be an active community member
- Helps build confidence and positive relationships
Admittedly, some children are natural socialisers, whilst for many other children it comes with confidence and practice. The more we (all) put ourselves out there, in social environments, the more confident we are. That’s exactly how football helps prepare your child for primary school!
How Infant Football Classes Support Social Development
1. Encouraging Teamwork & Cooperation
Football classes for infants can require teamwork in most sessions. The success of many tasks and the overall game is dependent on it, so it is one of the main skills we encourage!
Teamwork is instilled in children at football lessons, as they practice sharing and taking turns. Whether it is taking turns with goal-scoring practice or sharing equipment, infants who take part in football classes learn the value of patience and generosity.
Knowing how to work as part of a team, share, be patient, and encourage those around them in football classes is instrumental for social development.
2. Improve Communication Skills
In football classes, infants can harness their ever-improving communication skills.
Communication isn’t just about talking or using words, it can also be listening skills and even communicating with body language or hand signals.
3. Encourages Shy Infants To Get Involved
For us, the game of ‘football’ itself is not the most important takeaway from children’s football classes. The lasting, positive impact it can have on every child’s life is what truly matters to our teams
No matter if your little one is a natural-born leader, or if they are quieter in communication, football literally puts everyone on a level playing field. Encouraging your child who might be shy or lacking in confidence, to take part in a ‘pressure off’ activity, can boost their confidence before heading to school.
4. Building Friendships
One of the best parts of being a football coach is watching friendships form. Over the course of weeks and lessons, we witness friendships form that extend off the field as well.
Football lessons provide a shared interest for children to bond over. It’s essentially an icebreaker. By routinely attending football lessons, your child may make friends with peers from different schools who they otherwise may not have.
Building friendships with like-minded individuals can help your child express themself. If they’re feeling nervous about starting school, it is likely someone else is too. Football classes aim to support infants off the pitch too.
Making Friends Before Starting School With Infant Football Classes: The Benefits
- More confidence when entering a new environment
- Someone to share feelings with- whether it be nervousness or excitement
- Enhanced communication skills, empathy, and understanding
- Helps foster a positive attitude toward school
- Sense of community, inclusion, and acceptance
- Creates a supportive learning environment
- Friendships help with positive self-esteem
- So much more!
Making Friends Before Starting School With Infant Football Classes At Kixx
It is clear to us that making friends before starting school with infant football classes will make the transition much smoother for your child. And where better to go than Kixx?
We promise to deliver high-energy, fun, creative and age-appropriate lessons to boys and girls of any skill level between 18 months to 10 years. At the core of our innovative curriculum is physical and social development. Why not find an academy near you today?
If you need any more reasons why you should start children’s football classes in the summer holidays, keep up to date with our blog!
If you have any questions about making friends before starting school with infant football classes or would like to know more about what we stand for, then please contact us!
