My wife and I recently signed our son up for soccer classes.
We had previously done so two years ago, when he was just turning two.
The classes were geared towards toddlers and were designed to teach them very basic skills.
The “coaches” focused on showing the children the fundamentals of soccer while also teaching them rudimentary social skills.
Because the age range for that class was 1-2-year-olds, the classes were very simple.
My wife and I agree it was a good decision to sign him up.
Doing so allowed him the opportunity to socialize with other kids his age.
He learned a lot, but most importantly, he had fun and enjoyed the class.
A bad experience can kill a child’s enthusiasm for any sport.
You want to make sure you find the right class for your child and a coach who is willing to listen and can be flexible.
With that being said, let’s go ahead and jump into why you should sign your toddler up for soccer classes.
Following Directions
As parents, we all know how hard it can be to keep our little ones’ attention.
They are easily distracted and quick to get bored if something isn’t interesting to them.
One minute, you’re teaching them basic drills, and the next, they’re wandering off looking for nice rocks.
Well, fear not.
A good coach can keep the kids’ attention.
They have previous experience working with kids, and they know what activities will keep them engaged.
You will see an improvement in your child’s ability to follow directions and their listening skills.
They will want to imitate the other kids and participate in what the group is doing.
This skill will be helpful down the road, once things become a bit more complex.
The groundwork will already be laid down to further them along the road of learning to play soccer and being able to listen.
Confidence
We all want our children to have the utmost confidence.
Especially when it comes to sports.
Lack of confidence can lead to uncertainty, and uncertainty will lead to doubt.
Doubt in an athlete can destroy their performance and lead to decision paralysis.
The worst thing you can do in the middle of a match is nothing.
Signing your toddler up for soccer classes, with the right coach, will be a huge confidence builder.
They will have confidence on the ball and confidence in themselves.
Confidence in any sport will show up in matches as the player will have confidence in the decisions they make and their ability on the ball.
One of the most important aspects of confidence is having the confidence to pick oneself up after a loss or mistake.
That will, of course, not just come from how the coach helps them cope with this, but also from how parents react to mistakes made by their child.
You are your child’s biggest support pillar.
Improving Motor Skills
We all know that soccer is about control.
The ability to control the ball.
The ability to control the match.
Having good control can make the difference between creating a scoring chance and losing the ball.
Signing up your toddler for soccer classes at an early age will help them with their confidence on the ball.
The more they touch it and play around with it, the more comfortable they will be controlling it.
Demonstrated masterfully by the young girl in the video below.
A good coach will create activities and drills for young players that meet their skill levels and are equally entertaining.
You will easily see improvement in ball control and pass accuracy.
Socializing
One thing most children love to do is socialize with other kids their age.
Sure, it’s cool to hang with mom and dad, and they’re a lot of fun.
But nothing is cooler than hanging out with other like-minded individuals your age.
Soccer practice can be a great place for your child to socialize with other kids.
Especially if they are homeschooled or were born during the pandemic and didn’t get out much.
Exposing your toddler to more children can also help develop their communication and listening skills.
Excercise
Get them moving.
To any degree, a soccer class will get your child on the move, which is always great.
Exercise is one of the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle.
Sound body, sound mind, as they say.
The best part about it is that it won’t even feel like exercise to them since they’ll be having so much fun doing it.
It feels less like a chore and more like playtime.
They can get all their little wiggles out and eliminate boredom.
A Good Fit
These 5 reasons are just the beginning, as there are so many more benefits to signing your toddler up for a soccer class.
You will, of course, have to vet the class and coach to make sure they are a right fit for you and your child.
Remember, a good coach is not just a coach who barks out commands but one who can interact with the players and make things engaging.
I hope you’ve found this post helpful in determining whether you’d sign your toddler up for soccer classes.
If you did, feel free to leave a comment and let us know where you’re signing up your little one.
