Sophie Still grasped her mother’s hand, and, tugging with all of her 2 1/2-year-old weight, announced: “Mom, Mom, Mom, it’s time to start!”
Although her mom, Kristal Still of Denver, was in the middle of a conversation, there was no staying the excitement of Sophie. She quickly succeeded in pulling her mother toward the multicolored dots on the floor.
That excitement is evident in nearly every child who participates in the Lil’ Kickers programs at the Bladium Sports and Fitness Club, said director Amber Moore.
Lil’ Kickers, a child development program based on soccer, made its appearance in Denver in September. The first 11-week season had 250 participants from age 18 months through 9 years. This summer, more than 600 are expected to enroll, and a new site has been added.
When Sarah Massena called to check out the program for her daughter, Isabella, in January, her first question was, “What can she do? She’s only 20 months. Can she play soccer?”
The toddlers don’t actually “play” the game. Once a week for 11 weeks, they stretch before starting and kick balls around, among other activities. All the while they are practicing teamwork skills and how to listen.
The focus on non-competitiveness is one of the strengths of the program, said Dr. Marcee Martin, the excutive director of the Fisher Early Learning Center at the University of Denver. Martin has no ties to the Lil’ Kickers program.
“I think competition is somewhat inborn in us. I don’t think we need to teach that,” Martin said. “What we do need to instill in children is how to get along with each other.”
That’s exactly what Willie Shepherd was looking for when he enrolled 2-year-old Andrew in the program.
“We came in expecting to teach him how to interact with other kids and to play in a framework of a team,” Shepherd said. He’s so impressed with the program that he’s planning for his 2-week-old daughter to become a Lil’ Kicker when she’s old enough.
One problem that some programs develop, according to Martin, is too much encouragement.
“There’s a concern in child psychology that maybe we cheerlead too much and that we don’t encourage intuitive curiosity,” Martin said.
Moore admits she may fall into that category.
“In these 50-minute classes, it’s part of what we’re supposed to do,” Moore said. “We don’t know what kinds of homes these kids are coming from and we believe it’s our job to make sure they have a positive environment for these 50 minutes.”
The excitement shines through after the children leave the court after class.
“He’ll wear his uniform all day every Saturday,” said Shepherd. “He won’t let us take it off.”
And the program allows children to act their age.
When Sophie forgets to stop while running across the court and hits the wall, her mother can hold her and offer comfort.
When Andrew has a shy moment, Dad can pull him aside and just focus on him.
And everyone is reminded that, after all, these are just kids.
Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier: 303-954-1661 or jsteltonholtmeier@denverpost.com
