Children have a lot of energy. It’s true. And as a parent of a little boy who is about to turn four, I am constantly looking for new ways to help him exert that energy and exercise his growing body in fun and engaging ways.
Enter soccer.
In the past I have seen those adorable pictures of young children playing soccer in their colourful Timbit jerseys. And I always thought that one day, when I had children of my own, I would love to get them involved in something like that. I hoped that my little one would show an interest in group sports and that this could be an activity that they could pursue.
So when I heard that Whitehorse United FC, a local soccer club in the Yukon, was offering opportunities for children, age three and older, I was ecstatic. I was even more excited that my son wanted to join a team as well. I eagerly watched for registration for the Under 4 (U4) group to become available and I happily got my son all signed up for the season, which began early this May.
Having participated in little league softball as a child, I loved the opportunities I had to get outside, make new friends and play. Sure, we never won a game, but my memories of losing every single game were never sad ones. I loved it. And I think a big part of that was the fact that my coaches never seemed to put pressure on us to win. They wanted us to enjoy the game knowing that as long as we kept playing, our skills would do nothing but grow.
And I was extremely pleased to see that the U4 group would allow my child the same type of experience. With a focus on developing skills and a love for the game, children are allowed to explore the sport of soccer through lively activities and games that help build their physical literacy. I’ve witnessed first-hand how learning a variety of core soccer skills in a low-pressure environment offers a fantastic chance for the introduction of the sport in a way that builds children’s confidence and provides an opportunity for some good ol’ family fun.
Angie, a local mom and friend of mine, said her family has enjoyed it so much that this is the second time they have participated. Angie went on to say that her four-year-old daughter, Ellie, enjoys soccer because it’s social and skill-based. And that this combination of games and the learning of new skills is a large draw for her daughter and their family to join in each week.
The sessions are 45 minutes, which attunes to the short attention spans of little ones, and the coaches show impeccable patience and care as they engage with the children and try to get them involved. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to participate with their children, providing them with a teammate that they are already comfortable with. And it has been so much fun to see all the families running around, laughing and having a blast together.
It really is amusing to watch.
My husband and I take turns playing the games with our son, and in my moments of being a spectator, I cannot help but laugh sometimes. You see some children who are really listening—practising their skills with real intention; and then there are others (my son included), who just want to roll around in the grass, chase each other and kick the ball as far as they can.
It sometimes looks like us adults are trying to herd a group of cats. And, honestly, bless the incredible coaches and their accompanying youth helpers for their understanding of children at this age. They recognize the need for breaks and the varying needs of children and their families. And they do a fabulous job of providing a variety of short activities that appeal to all while still incorporating those skill-building techniques for the developmental levels of children under four.
I truly am grateful for the chance my son has received through this wonderful learning experience. My heart is happy when I hear him say how much he loves soccer and when he asks me to play with him in our driveway at home.
Yes, he is still working on developing his soccer skills, but the seed of love for the game has been planted, and that is the most I can hope for. I honestly can’t wait to watch how this love will develop over time and how his techniques and coordination will progress. But most of all, I can’t wait for the chance to sit in the crowd of his first official game and cheer him on!
