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Lil’ Kickers

Lil’ Kickers classes are carefully curated and wildly fun. Classes are led by high-energy coaches and packed with creative games structured to help kids tackle age-appropriate developmental milestones. Rooted in renowned child development theories, our innovative curriculum provides kids ages 18 months to 9* years the skills they need to learn soccer and grow as individuals, all while having a blast. Come see why more than a million kids nationwide love our program!

   

This year-round program is offered at both our East – Willoughby, and West – Lorain, locations. Classes are held outdoors during the warm weather months (when there are no other activities on the outdoor fields and the weather allows). If we cannot host classes outdoors they will be held on our indoor fields. **SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM TO SEE AGE GROUPS & DESCRIPTIONS **

 

EAST Location – Willoughby

WEST Location – Lorain

 

*** PLEASE NOTE: TO REGISTER ONLINE YOU WILL NEED TO LOG INTO DAYSMART. PLEASE CREATE AN ACCOUNT OR LOG IN AT THE REGISTER LINK ABOVE! ***

The Fine Print: Lil’ Kickers Policies

Lil’ Kickers FAQ’s

 

Often a child’s first experience with group learning, this class is designed to give them a perfect start. 

Managing a class full of toddlers can be like herding kittens. They’re playful, sometimes skittish and easily distracted. But with the right structure and interactions, a lot can happen. Activities with bubbles, parachutes, cones and other sensory toys build skills for balance, coordination, running, tracking, kicking and changing directions—all building blocks needed for playing soccer. With parents by their side, our youngest Lil’ Kickers feel safe to explore new experiences and create new relationships while learning in a fun and dynamic environment

In this class, kids begin to learn to actively engage with the coach and other players.

 “Why?” Hang around enough with this age group of curious, older toddlers and you will hear that word a lot. Working with Thumpers and their parents, we welcome their inquisitive nature and sense of wonderment in learning. We use those traits to shape confidence and self-esteem to further build core movements like balance, coordination and timing–all necessary for mastering a soccer ball. While parent involvement continues here, this class bridges the gap between parallel play and directly interacting with the coach and other players. So “why” take a Thumpers class? Because it is a blast.

Developmental Milestones 

• Self-motivation, internal drive, confidence
• An improved capacity for language
• Imaginative play
• Improved gross motor skills
• Improved fine motor skills
• Developing an understanding of how common items are used

Here, preschoolers who are not quite ready to be on the field alone discover some independence.

Terrible twos? Not in our opinion! Though toddler behavior can be puzzling, these little ones are just trying to put the pieces together to grow into the person they are meant to be. Sometimes they get frustrated and their feelings come out sideways, especially when they are shy and a little tentative. We embrace the complexities of this time of life and help them transition into being more interactive, confident, self-reliant and relational. We do so with fun and engaging games that help them begin to master basic movement and ball control skills. The goal is to get them to be more interactive with the coach, to play with (rather than alongside) their peers and to engage in the game. Parents are there to provide just the right support.

To share and share alike? Not always. These kiddos are raring to go, but need lots of direction to get there.

Preschoolers have a hard time sharing, but we help get them there. After all, soccer (and life!) is all about give-and-take. The goal of these classes is to create teammates who are coachable and eager to learn. Sharing is a big part of that. Creative storylines and animated coaches keep kids engaged and having fun. They won’t even know they’re working hard and learning. They’ll come away with important skills for soccer and beyond.

Developmental Milestones

• An even stronger desire to do things on their own
• A mastery of language, imaginative play
• An understanding of the importance of peer relations
• Mastering running, kicking, throwing, hopping, jumping
• Improved understanding of cause and effect relationships
• Longer attention span

Fun and fast-paced classes for kids who are naturally a little more competitive or with previous class experience.

Buckle up! These preschoolers are eager for action and ready to learn. With a curriculum chock full of imaginative games and adventures, these players are going to have a blast and won’t even realize just how much they’re learning. Coaches will guide them towards great soccer skills (specifically passing, trapping, shooting, attacking and defending) and introduce them to scrimmaging. Look a little closer and you’ll also notice improved communication, listening, sharing, perseverance and resilience.

Developmental Milestones

• An even stronger desire to do things on their own
• A mastery of language, imaginative play
• An understanding of the importance of peer relations
• Mastering running, kicking, throwing, hopping jumping
• A more complex understanding of cause and effect relationship
• Can follow 2 unrelated instructions
• A longer attention span
• Strong curiosity

For kids who are just getting introduced to organized soccer or who are less competitive by nature but want a great soccer experience.

Some kids are a little shy and perhaps not very competitive by nature, but still want to learn a sport and have a team experience. We get that. Big Feet classes serve these kids well. Full of all the same fun, goofiness and opportunities to learn soccer and life skills, these classes do it just a little differently. After all, lack of experience or temperament shouldn’t keep us from getting in the game.

Developmental Milestones

• A sense of industry- finding something they’re good at
• A better understanding of relationships
• An increased understanding and flexibility in thinking, better problem solving skills
• Improved attention span
• Improved ability to share
• An interest in performing
• Learning complex body coordination skills(swimming, skating, skipping)
• A preference to make own decisions
• Have a better understanding of right and wrong

For kids who are driven to play.

Does your child always have a ball at their feet? Constantly talk about soccer? Or are they simply driven to get better? Created for kids who are motivated soccer players, Micro classes kick it up a notch. While coaching remains child-centered and fun this curriculum is fundamentals focused and provides game-like situations each week that help solidify learning. Players enjoy 30 minutes of age-appropriate instruction and 20 minutes of small-sided scrimmaging. Classes are offered by age and include Micro 4/5, Micro 6/7 and Micro 8/9.

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