So, there's an organisation in the UK called 'Little Kickers', which teaches football (soccer) skills to children age 18 months - 7 years. It's less about bootcamp and creating mini-Beckhams, and more geared towards using football "as a fun forum to instil our growing squad with a little extra confidence, co-ordination, control and sense of camaraderie; which we feel will stand them in very good stead for the future."
Paige is pretty active, and certainly loves kicking the football around -- so this seemed like a great opportunity to let her burn off some energy in a fun and friendly environment. And with the sessions conveniently timed on a Saturday morning, do a little Daddy-Paigey bonding while Mommy sleeps in (or, more likely, cleans the bathroom...)
Anyway, we took her for her first class yesterday, and she seemed to really enjoy it -- following the leader's instructions intently, running around the cones, kicking the ball, and generally having a great time. And she asked to go again -- so a success, right?
Well, for now. Because I was disappointed to see that she was the ONLY girl in the class of about 10 children. And at under 3 years, that doesn't bother her... but it will do soon. And it's a shame. It's a shame that in this country from what I can tell, girls are barely encouraged to participate in sports, which becomes a vicious cycle of no girls in sports, so no girls wanting to join, and so on.
And from what I can tell, it's a parental thing -- because again, at the age of 3, I don't think children really care what's a 'girls' activity' (dance) or a 'boys' activity' (sports) -- they just want to have fun. So clearly, it's the parents -- like one mother I know who said 'oh, I wouldn't want to send my [3-year-old] daughter to Little Kickers. She likes to run around, but I don't want her to be the only girl!" Well, she wouldn't be the only girl if more parents were a bit more open minded. This is definitely one area where the US is light-years ahead!
Now, I'm not fixated on football (or even sports) -- but I do think getting involved early, when they really are just for fun, and making physical activity just a regular part of life, can only be a good thing for boys *and* girls alike. And sure, we'll take her to dance classes as well, and check out the V&A art packs, add to her Monkey Music sing-alongs, to let her experience as wide a variety of activities and make her own mind up. I just hope it's Paige making the decision for herself -- not the narrow attitudes of other parents doing it for her.
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3 comments:
Two things: 1) I think it's really sad, and I'm glad you're encouraging Paige to try all activities.
2) I'm glad you're starting her at this young age. I don't know if you remember, but at 7 I BEGGED you to try soccer in NH, and you refused. Possibly if I'd taken you at 2 1/2 you might have liked it at 7.
Hi mom - i do remember, or at least remember you reminding me at a later age! In any case, yes - I think by 7 I was already too shy about looking less than perfect in front of anyone, so was too nervous to do it - that's part of the reason why we're starting Paige now, before she really cares too much about that sort of thing...
I love to sing and dance, nice read..
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