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Original poster

18month old too young for football class?

20 replies

HJB2021 · 07/05/2023 08:03

I saw little kickers were advertising football lessons, DS absolutely loves balls. I thought it could be a fun activity for him, I just can’t decide if he will love it or if he will run off with the ball doing his own thing. I don’t really want to sign up and buy the kit if it’s pointless.

Has anyone else tried these lessons?

thanks

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pharmacoco · 07/05/2023 08:15

Hello! Just from our experience 18m was too young. Our son would do his own thing and not follow the structure/games etc. The other kiddies who were around 2.5 seemed to get more from the sessions so we are going back then.

QuickGuide · 07/05/2023 08:18

It won't be exactly pointless of he enjoys it and it gets you both out of the house having fun. If you're expecting more than that, yes it will be pointless.

Welshfiver · 07/05/2023 08:21

We've just started these lessons, at 18mo.
For me it's more a change of scenery and getting out of the house than anything. My child just runs around chasing the balls and picking stuff up randomly.

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Saschka · 07/05/2023 08:32

Happy Birthday Cat GIF by Hallmark Gold Crown

We did Rugbytots from age 3, and honestly even then a lot of kids spent half the class sitting on their mum’s knee.

I’d have fairly low expectations - aim for your child to have fun, and join in 50% of the class, and you’ll probably be ok. We haven’t done Little Kickers, but I’d expect a warm-up chasing game, some kicking exercises to do with a parent, another chasing game, another exercise, and a parachute game or other fun game to finish. A toddler class with a bit of kicking, rather than a football class.

Saschka · 07/05/2023 08:33

I have no idea how that cat attached! 🤣

Thehokeypokey · 07/05/2023 08:34

My daughter went to a different football group from about 2. Yes there is some football involved, but it's more fun games and running around at that stage. Now she's in the 3 year old group it's more structured and the children are able to follow the instructions more. As long as they enjoy it then they aren't too young but don't go into it expecting them to be Messi after a few weeks (which some of the dads clearly had ambitions of!).

mycatsanutter · 07/05/2023 08:54

My 18m great nephew goes , his kicking skills are quite surprising for his age , he is accurate and can dribble a ball . He is only little for his age , he looks so cute !

Flitter123 · 07/05/2023 08:54

Little kickers was invented by a mum who wanted to create a toddler group where active kids could run around without spoiling it! It’s not proper football lessons - they’re not not real football coaches or anything. I think they’re a fun way to introduce football and my boys loved them.

mynameiscalypso · 07/05/2023 08:58

We started at 2 and it was very hit and miss. DS didn't really join in with the activity but, as we didn't have a garden at the time, it was nice for him to run around with a ball for a bit. It was chaos though. I used to make DH go.

FlounderingFruitcake · 07/05/2023 09:03

Love the random cat 🤣

18 months is on the cusp. It could go ok or you could end up chasing LO round a sports hall or public park for 30 minutes where they kick and scream every time you pick them up to return them to their area. My DC were both 2 before it they actually enjoyed that sort of thing, before that it was a massive stress and they would have been happier just taking a ball to the playground on their own. But I have seen kids enjoy it and be fairly compliant so some can manage it younger! I would ask about a trial class.

Fandabedodgy · 07/05/2023 09:10

Ask if they do a taster session before committing.

EmmaGrundyForPM · 07/05/2023 09:14

Blimey. DS2, who loves all sports was in sports teams from 5 onwards. He didn't walk until he was 19 months. I can't imagine trying to get children under 3 to engage with structured sports, even at a very low level.

I'd save your money and take him to the Park to run around instead

Saffronn · 07/05/2023 09:19

We did a taster session at just 2, and it was too early.

Like a PP said, DD just ran around randomly kicking things. Which was fine, but it was stressful to stop her spoiling things for the bigger kids who actually understood the game. Also, an echo-y sports hall full of toddlers is LOUD. No fun for me.

We didn’t go back after the taster!

At 3.5 now she’d be fine with it, but I doubt it would ever be something I’d enjoy.

WeWereInParis · 07/05/2023 09:26

At that age they'll all be doing their own thing and not playing with each other really, so I'd save the money and go to the park with a ball myself. I wouldn't be buying kit for an 18 month old.

TakeMe2Insanity · 07/05/2023 09:28

If you have an active toddler who loves running it’s ideal. Our ds adored it.

Caffeineislife · 07/05/2023 09:40

Agree with PP in that it 18months might be too early. My friends little boy did a similar class, she said he just used to run round chasing the ball and kicking things doing his own thing. It was fine in the summer but when they moved into the sports hall for winter it was carnage. He wasn't bothered about all the "structured" games. He just ran around kicking the balls randomly and chasing around. She stopped for a bit as she said they could do that at the park for free. He's just over 2 and a half now and she's started him up again this March. He loves it now and joins in more.

Go with low expectations. See it as running around outside time rather than "football" and see how you go. You can always start back up again next year.

ForeverTired89 · 07/05/2023 22:06

I started my DD at Little Kickers when she was 20 months old. She’s just turned 3 and we still go every week.

Agree with PPs it might be a little early, my DD was okay but it was a small class. I think they do taster lessons so maybe try and see how he gets on? If not I’d hold on for a few more months.

CuriousGeorge80 · 07/05/2023 22:11

Our DD is 23 months and it’s just started to be worth it for her. 18 months would definitely have been too young. In all the classes there is always at least one kid each week who is tried and doesn’t really take part (different kid each week). But she does enjoy it now and it’s good to get out of the house. And there were a couple of younger kids who were much better than her.

TheGlitterFairy · 08/05/2023 22:11

Just tried little kickers with DS who is 23 months (21 corrected) and we’ve given it up after a couple of classes. Chap leading it takes it far too seriously and it’s IMO too structured for the age range of that group for too long a time period. Think their expectations do not match reality. DS has done a tiny amount but doesn’t seem to enjoy it compared to other classes we attend and the guy is far too serious for my liking so we’re giving it a miss.

UsingChangeofName · 08/05/2023 22:25

Unless you are looking to go, just to meet up with other parents of tots, save your money and just kick a ball about in the garden or in a park.
They dc won't get anything out of a 'class' at that age.

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