Pre-School Rules!

Pre-School Rules! Clubs & Classes for Pre-Schoolers

We take a look at the kinds of activities you can find near you to keep your pre-schooler amused. By Sally J. Hall.

Arts and Crafts

There are lots of places to drop in to get involved in crafting with your kids. They can learn skills such as painting, gluing, cutting out and sticking and of course the art of adding glitter! Providers like The Creation Station let children get involved in creative play with their parents.

Dance

Teaching grace, strength and movement; dancing is a great form of exercise and can be enjoyed from a young age. Look for a class that is not too formal at first so that the emphasis is on play and enjoyment. If your child shows promise, they can go on to take Royal Academy of Dance certificates later on.

Football & Rugby

Little ones can learn how to kick and control the ball, use gross motor skills and understand teamwork. Mini rugby is always gentle and does not involve contact and the skills and size of the pitches are suited to the kids’ ages. Look for a local club which may allow kids to go into more serious games as they grow.

Gymnastics

Indoor gym activities are good for rainy days and help with flexibility and strength. Look for classes suited for very young kids that show them how to roll, jump and use gym equipment in a safe and controlled environment. As they get older, they can start to take more serious classes and enrol for certificates like those run by the British Gymnastics Association (british-gymnastics.org).

Languages

Children from bi-lingual families seem to cope well with two languages from a very early age. Even if you and your partner both speak English, you may want your child to learn a second language from an early age to stand them in good stead for their later education and also if you have family or a holiday home abroad. Find a small group or one-to-one sessions where your child has fun and plays games in a second language.

Music

From nursery rhyme sing-alongs in the local park or café to learning a simple instrument, teaching a very young child to love music will give them a lifelong gift.

Swimming

Learning to swim is a great and useful life skill and it seems that the younger you start, the less likely it is that your child will be nervous in water. Many local leisure centres run mother and baby swim sessions where you can start to teach your child how to gain confidence in the water.

Theatre

It’s never too early to start treading the boards and there are lots of drama and acting clubs for even quite small kids. They teach about self expression working within a group and confidence.