School Readiness..mine and my child’s experience and how Mini Athletics can help!

Starting school is an exciting time for children and parents alike. It is a significant milestone in a child’s development and can have a long-lasting impact on their future. However, for some children the transition to school can be challenging. Therefore, it is important to prepare your child your child for the challenges of school life, getting them Reception Ready.

Mini Athletics believe that all children should have the opportunity to thrive at school and achieve their full potential. We love to help them and their parents to prepare! You might think there’s no point starting a new activity at this time of year, but it’s the perfect time. I do however understand the doubts as I went through the exact same thoughts with my child!

My first experience of Mini Athletics was before I was a franchise owner, when I was a parent taking my child to classes. I’d been looking for such classes for my eldest son to attend and knew straight away that this would be something he would love. But it was the Spring before he was due to start school, was this too late? I took him for a trial and as expected he was so excited to go back. I somewhat reluctantly bought a block of classes thinking this would only be short term. But week after week I saw his confidence grow. He was learning to make friends. He was learning to listen and follow instructions. He was able to stand on the podium and tell everyone about his favourite part of the session. He was gaining his independence and getting ready for school.?

School readiness is not just about whether your child can write their name, or read a few words yet, there’s so much more to it than that! But here’s a few tips and how we can help you:

·??????Develop social skills

Social skills are essential for children as they begin school. At Mini Athletics we encourage children to interact with each other and develop their social skills. Learning to listen to follow instructions are a big part of our sessions. Our Littles (3.5-5 years) classes focus on group activities, and we believe that by working together as a team this can help children feel more confident and comfortable in social situations. We share, take turns and learn to cooperate with others.

·??????Encourage independence?

Independence is an essential skill for children as they begin school. Our Littles are encouraged to sit and participate in activities independently. And even the small detail of children taking responsibility for their own belongings, such as their water bottle, can make a big difference. There is the opportunity for Athletes to individually discuss in front of the group what they might have particularly liked about that week’s session. They can often be shy at first, but as the weeks go on, they all want the first go! Promoting independence can help children develop their self-confidence and adaptability, which are essential for school success.

·??????Promote physical activity

Physical activity is crucial for children’s development and it can also help them prepare for school. Our running, jumping and throwing focused activities develop children’s coordination, concentration and behaviour. The ability to listen and stay focused lays them in perfect stead for a classroom environment.

·??????Develop a love for learning

Developing a love for learning is crucial for children’s success in school. Mini Athletics promote learning through fun and engaging activities with storytelling and different imaginative themes each week. From running through the Jungle, jumping like Superhero’s and launching rockets into Space, we help children develop their curiosity and critical thinking skills.

·??????Prepare for academic challenges

Academic challenges can be daunting for children as they begin school. We prepare children for academic challenges by developing their numeracy and literacy skills. Themes such as Dinosaurs require children to be imaginative and descriptive, enhancing vocabulary and creativity. Or they might need to sit in their teams counting how many ‘Dinosaur eggs’ have been thrown into the ‘nests’. We believe that promoting academic readiness can help children feel more confident and comfortable in the classroom.

·??????Establish routines?

Establishing routines can help children feel more secure and prepared for school. Our classes become part of a child’s weekly routine. And we often like to give tips and advice to keep children active regularly throughout the week, with maybe a goal to practice before their next class. Whether it’s helping with jumping, hopping or co-ordination, its fantastic to see their huge smiling faces when they achieve their goals and learn new skills. Mini Athletics is not just a 45 minute class, it can be way of life, a regular way to keep active as part of a child’s everyday routine. This structure can help children feel more organised and less stressed.

·??????Stay positive and supportive

At Mini Athletics we are hugely motivating and all our Coaches are always encouraging to ensure both parent and child stay positive. We believe that providing a positive and supportive environment can help children feel more comfortable and confident in their abilities.

School readiness is essential for children’s success in school. By promoting social skills, independence, physical activity, a love for learning, academic readiness and positivity and support, we hope to help parents and guardians prepare their children for the transition to school, giving children the opportunity to thrive in school from the very beginning. When my child’s first day of school came, knowing no one, he skipped in barely even saying goodbye and has not looked back since! I knew that summer of Mini Athletics was worth it!?

Come see for yourself!

Come see how we can help prepare your child for their big school adventure. And to help you further our Littles (3.5-5 years) classes are currently half price.

We have Mini Athletics sports classes for toddlers/children (walkers to 8 year olds), across 4 different age groups, with parents encouraged to join in the theme based games too! If you’d like your little one to experience all that Mini Athletics South East London has to offer please get in touch or book your place on our website:

(www.miniathletics.com/mini-athletics-south-east-london-summary).

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