Clubs & Classes

New activities for the Under 5s at Edinburgh Leisure

You probably already know we have an established swim programme for babies to 5 years. You may also know about Gym Nippers classes from 18 months + and pre-school tennis, ballet, and football. But did you know we’ve some exciting new combo classes to mix it up a little? Your under 5 could be trying out our full size trampolines or our dry dive board in our Gym & Jump and Jump and Dive Skills classes. And coming soon - our new trampolining focused Jump Nippers.

If your wee one enjoys, clambering, tumbling – or just running around, we can make learning basic skills fun with our amazing coaches. See our website for more information.

Whizzkids

Whizzkids offers fun and educational computer classes for children of all ages during school term-time and the holidays.

From touch-typing to coding and desktop publishing to word processing, the classes incorporate useful skills that will benefit children with their school work and beyond. Using Windows computers with Microsoft Office, children can learn to use, or develop their skills with Word, Publisher, PowerPoint, Excel and Access. Children can also learn to code using Scratch and the Python programming language on the Raspberry Pi (a small credit card sized computer), creating basic games, animations and electronic projects. Adult lessons are also available.

For further details on the classes, or to enquire about availability, please e-mail gillian@whizzkids.uk.com, check out the website at www.whizzkids.uk.com or call 0131 447 5893.

Whizzkids

Computer Learning Centre Computer lessons for children

Touch-typing Educational Games Scratch coding PowerPoint Raspberry Pi Desktop Publishing Computer Art Project Creation

19 Morningside Drive, Edinburgh 0131 447 5893 www.whizzkids.uk.com gillian@whizzkids.uk.com

Doodles

Doodles is delighted to be back open again and offering almost all of our original services and more at the time of going to print.

Please check out our website

www.doodlesscotland.co.uk

and follow us on Instagram @Doodlesceramics for all the latest updates. We are also very excited to say we have expanded the Doodles experience into the shop next door! Now we have lots of room for more pottery painting, clay classes and even a wheel or two for those looking for a more hands-on experience.

Please call us on 0131 229 1399 to book or discuss your options and Doodles as always is great for all ages

UNDER 5s ACTIVITIES

BOOK ONLINE NOW!SPACES ARE LIMITED

• Gymnastics

(from 18 months) • Swimming

(from newborn) • Football • Tennis • Gym and Jump

Availability and booking online at

edinburghleisure.co.uk

DN Dance Babies

Parent & child dance classes for ages 1-3 years. Super fun and imaginative dance themed classes at venues across Edinburgh.

Find us at Inverleith | Crewe Road | Davidson Mains | Bruntsfeild | Chesser | Currie & South Queensferry.

www.dndancebabies.co.uk

Institut Français

Our language centre draws upon 70 years of experience in Scotland with many programmes teaching French as a foreign language available for all ages and levels.

Our immersive method is conversation-based, developing your ability to speak in real-life situations with experienced native French teachers who will guide you from bonjour to full fluency. We provide our young people with a taste of France and a supportive environment to become fluent. Alongside our Youth Courses taking place on Saturdays mornings, we also offer various fun activities and cultural experiences that consolidate French skills.

Code Ninjas

Coding for children aged 5 - 14

At Code Ninjas children learn to code by building their very own video games! Coding teaches logic, creativity and problem solving. Kids will love working their way up the Ninjas belts while creating their own games and making new friends.

Problem Solving. Computer Literacy. Fun. Friends. Get in touch to book your free game building session! Eric Liddell Centre, 15 Morningside Road, EH10 4DP www.codeninjas.com edinburghmlnuk@codeninjas.com 07951 293196

Helen O’Grady

The ability to deal with people confidently, to answer in full sentences, and the ability to engage a room full of people are skills which are absolutely key to any child’s development.

At Helen O’ Grady we aim to instill these skills through our sessions full of fun, laughter and excitement, and it is not uncommon for our children to stay with us for many years. Children attending our classes, will develop the social skills that will help to enrich their lives in the future, regardless of their academic performance, and help them get ahead in life in this increasingly competitive world. Through our drama classes students will: • Learn performance skills and drama techniques • Speak and communicate more confidently and clearly • Improve their self esteem • Meet new friends • Understand empathy and self-awareness • Channel their energy positively and creatively • Perform in on-stage productions

Weekly classes for P1-S6 get in touch to book a FREE TRIAL LESSON midscot@helenogrady.co.uk 07701 333476 www.helenogrady.co.uk www.facebook.com/HelenOGradyMidScotland

CLUBS & CLASSES Performing arts can help your child prepare for the new school year

The start of the school year is a great time to consider new activities for your child and the skills learnt in performing arts can be hugely beneficial to children.

Empathy

One challenge children face when they return to school in September is changes to friendship groups. Empathy is essential to help them react appropriately to their peers and develop their social skills and this is a skill learned when training in the performing arts. To portray a character in a play we need to be able to step into their shoes and understand their situation; if a child learns to understand a character in this way, they can apply this skill to everyday life.

Listening

An important skill, especially when a child is in a new setting, with new routines and expectations. Taking direction from teachers and peers during performing arts classes encourages children to be receptive to others’ ideas and work collaboratively.

Problem solving

Creative problem solving within the safety of a performing arts environment is a transferable life skill. Improvisation performances teach children to use their imaginations and think on their feet. Children who feel comfortable exploring and dealing with problems in a non-linear way are more confident overall.

Confidence building

Performing arts boost confidence enormously. Standing on stage, participating in a dance routine or speaking in front of a group can make even the most confident children nervous. Learning new skills, rehearsing and performing in a safe space, with the support and encouragement of expert teachers and peers, prepares children to deal with anxiety-provoking situations in real life.

Pauline Quirke Academy’s slogan is ‘Be Yourself, Be Amazing’ and reflects its ethos of offering a safe, creative space in which children and young people feel comfortable and part of a like-minded community. Regular face-to-face experiences that encourage self-expression are more important than ever as children navigate the complicated landscape of growing-up in a digital culture.

Find out more at www.pqacademy.com

OUTSTANDING PERFORMING ARTS TUITION FOR 4 - 18 YEAR-OLDS ACT, DANCE, SING AND MAKE FILMS!

Find your local Academy at pqacademy.com

BOOK YOURFREE TASTER SESSIONNOW!

• Creative Music Classes (Preschool to P2) • Group Instrumental and Musicianship

Classes (P3+) • Individual Lesson Programme (S1+) • ABRSM and Trinity Practical Exams • NEW Online Music Theory Courses (Grades 1-5)

AS SEEN ON

MAKE YOUR CHILD’S DEVELOPMENT MORE FUN! DISCOVER RUGBYTOTS

Our dynamic weekly play sessions enable boys and girls aged 2–7 to develop their social and physical skills in a fun, positive environment. For more details, just call or email: 0345 313 3252

kirsty@rugbytots.co.uk

rugbytots.co.uk The world’s favourite rugby play programme

Edinburgh Dance Academy

EDA, recently voted highest ranked dance school in the UK and Ireland offers classes and exams in RAD Ballet, the faculty being led by RAD Ballet examiner Julie Mitchell.

We also offer classes in Commercial, Pre School Dance (for those little movers!), Parent and child Teenie Toes classes, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Acro, Turns and Limbering, Progressing Ballet Technique, Contemporary (led by i-D Company examiner Jenni Inglis), Boys only classes, Competition and much more! (Including performing each year at the King's Panto, look out for us in Sleeping Beauty this year!). We pride ourselves on our high standards and constantly apply ourselves to be the best but the most important thing is that all of our pupils are cared for, nurtured and have FUN!! We can't wait to see lots of happy faces old and new when we return in August.

For more information please email hello@eda.scot

Portobello Music School

After a very successful year of online music learning for their 300+ music students, Portobello Music School is looking forward to welcoming students back to their in-person classes at Edinburgh College’s Milton Road Campus on the outskirts of Portobello.

Although most of their beginner Group Instrumental Classes are fully subscribed, they still have a few instrumental spaces available and are still taking enrolments for their Preschool to Primary 2 Creative Music Classes. They also have a few places for students who have been studying an instrument for a year or more.

For further information and/or to enrol, please visit www.portobellomusicschool.com or telephone 0131 623 2513 We are delighted to offer your child a FREE TRIAL at our Academy!

Rugby Tots

Rugbytots is a highly energetic play programme for boys and girls aged 2-7 years that has run in Scotland since 2008 with classes in most regions.

One mum recently commented 'Many thanks, Rugbytots has been by far the best activity that we have taken part in and worth every penny for the range of skills and the discipline.’ Come along and join in the fun! We have classes running throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians. Trial classes may be available subject to availability.

Check our website at www.rugbytots.co.uk to find your nearest venue or e-mail sandra@rugbytots.co.uk or call 0345 313 3252.