This past Wednesday, our son achieved yet another first in his young life. In this case it was his first day playing an organized sport, and the sport he was playing is soccer. Some (hopefully many) of you read in a previous post titled My Lil’ Kicker, that we would be beginning these lessons as much to get Xavier to develop his listening skills as to get him involved in sports. While my son’s physical skills bloomed early, the ears have lagged behind a bit.
Xavier kicking a ball during his first Lil' Kickers class
My first impression of the Lil’ Kickers program is very good. The leader of this “Thumpers” class is Coach Pickle who assured me that, yes, it is his real last name. Coach Pickle is a very patient and pleasant young man (that looks really funny to actually write) who handles a decent sized group of 2 year olds with as much calm and control as one could expect. We were the first ones from our class to arrive, so had a few extra minutes to meet the coach and better understand what they would be doing. Coach Pickle confirmed that while, yes, they would be learning soccer skills, that it was as much about balance, coordination, listening, and teamwork…Good Stuff!
Coach Pickle tries to stop Xavier at a Red Light
At first blush, the Lil’ Kickers class appears to be yet another Gymboree Play and Learn class which we have also attended. They sing songs, play games like “Red Light/Green Light”, get stamps on their hands, and even utilize the parachute. Later in the class, however, they brought out cones which they needed to stack in different ways. The cone building culminated in kicking a soccer ball into the tower, thus knocking it over and rendering it useless. Towards the end of the class, Coach allowed a little bit of free-for-all where the kids just kicked balls randomly. There was some guidance toward one of two nets they had in the corners of the gym, as well as direction to avoid using their hands.
Xavier seemed to really enjoy the class, and I am looking forward to seeing how he develops over the next 10-12 weeks under the tutelage of Coach Pickle and his fellow Thumpers. Oh, and before I wrap this up, I must share with you one of my “Proud Papa” moments. During the game of “Red Light/Green Light”, Coach Pickle threw in a curve ball…the “Yellow Light”. As he introduced the Yellow Light to the kids, he asked them if anyone knew what the Yellow Light meant, and, after a brief pause, Xavier shouted out with full confidence, “CAUTION!”. That’s my boy!
- Xavier enjoys his first Lil’ Kickers class
So, though no whistles were blown, no yellow cards given, and no goals scored, it was indeed Xavier’s first soccer practice. I don’t know if a career in soccer is the ultimate goal of the class, but if that occurs, so be it. Ideally, he will emerge from this class in late February with stronger listening skills, a sense of teamwork, and a killer bicycle kick! Well, OK, maybe just the first two.
Be Well!
