After Class Ends

Soccer class has come to an end, and your Tiny Trooper has run off of Soccer Island, ready to show you their new sticker. Perhaps your family will be heading home immediately after class, or maybe you’ll spend some time at the playground first. No matter what comes next, make sure to take some time to talk about class with your Tiny Trooper.

Talking About Class

Toddlers and preschoolers don’t remember class the same way adults do. They don’t remember how many times they kicked the ball, or if they dribbled the ball with little kicks. However, they will remember pretending to be a fox and pulling feathers from the chicken. They will remember how they kicked their ball at their coach, and the coach had to do a silly animal sound. The goal is to help your child reflect on a positive experience.

Try asking open-ended questions like:

• What was your favorite game today?
• What made you laugh?
• What silly things did your coach do?

Celebrate the Small Wins

The ride home is also a great time to recognize the things your Tiny Trooper accomplished in class today. Every child is different, and so their wins will also be different. Perhaps this was the first time they completed class without your assistance. Maybe they opened up and began speaking with their coach. Perhaps they were finally able to do a pullback or score a goal during the scrimmage. Let your child know you saw these little wins so they can recognize them as wins, too.

Keep the Fun Going at Home

It doesn’t take much to continue the fun of Soccer Island at home. All you need is a bit of open space outside and a soccer ball. Together, you and your Tiny Trooper can practice core skills, such as dribbling, toe taps and penguin walks, and scoring goals. They can also do their favorite games or activities from classes, like Hit the Coach! or Collect the Rainbow. It could even be as simple as letting them pretend to be a soccer coach and teaching you how to play.

Is the weather keeping you indoors? We have virtual classes that your Tiny Trooper can work on to keep the rainy day blues away. Simply clear a space inside, grab a soccer ball, and choose one of the many classes we have available.

Follow Your Child’s Lead

Some children will want to tell you every detail about class. Others may not say much at all. You don’t have to turn every ride home into a conversation. Sometimes simply saying, “I loved watching you today,” or, “I had fun seeing you play,” is enough. Giving children space to process the experience helps them build positive feelings about coming back next week.

What This Means for Parents

The end of soccer class doesn’t have to be the end of the experience. Whether on the car ride home, or playing together in the backyard, spending time reflecting is key. This can help strengthen your child’s confidence for the next time they step foot on Soccer Island. Some of your child’s best Tiny Troops memories may come from spending time together with you on the way home or showing off their favorite game in the backyard. It’s all part of the journey.