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Digital Art Courseware For Kids

19. January 2017 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
As the world is advancing at a fast pace, even art is going digital. Latest technology is being used to showcase creativity in its best form. Web designing, photo illustration, music technology etc. are some new fields which have gained popularity these days. They help to make kids proficient in computers and stay updated with advanced software.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas is a leading club that offers digital art courseware for kids. It consists of the following programs:  

  • Design Tech: Kids are taught to learn artistic concepts and create animated videos. They even learn graphic designing.
  • Photo Tech: Through this program, kids learn to capture high quality photographs. They use different types of software to edit pictures. Kids can also acquire the skill of applying image filters and layering.   
  • Music Tech: It is a great platform where kids are allowed to compose and record songs. They are also made to understand the music theory.
  • Movie Tech : Gaining a thorough knowledge of screenplay writing, filming and editing digital movies can be helpful for the kids and open the path to a successful career.
Benefits Of Digital Arts:

  • Explore new career options: Digital arts is a combination of traditional art skills and new media applications. It offers various career opportunities for kids as they can become animators, web designers, photographers, game developers, creative directors etc. based on the skills they possess.  They can even work in advertizing and multimedia firms. This can lead them to a bright future ahead.
  • Makes learning fun: Digital arts involve the use of various innovative techniques. Kids can experiment and explore various drawing as well as painting options.  This helps to enhance creativity and make learning a better experience for them.
  • Self-directed learning: There are various software which allows the kids to check their mistakes and easily rectify them. This helps them in becoming self-directed learners and accomplish their goals.  
Digital arts is a great platform to gain knowledge and hone various skills. It enhances the imagination and helps the kids to think out of the box which makes them stand out of the crowd. This improves their self-confidence and self-esteem.

If you want to make your kid a digital artist, you can consider enrolling him to Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas. For more information about the kids activities offered by the club, call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.

How To Make the Most Out Of Tutoring: Tips For Parents

12. January 2017 Administrator (0)
A good tutor can help your child with homework and build a strong academic base for him. However, parents can also play a vital role in making the tutoring experience successful and provide quality education to the child. Let’s take a look at some ways in which you can help your child make the most out of the tutoring sessions:

Communication is necessary

It is important to maintain frequent communication with your child’s tutor. He will make you aware about the strengths and weaknesses of the child so that you can assist him overcome the weak areas. An open communication with the tutors may help you to know the reason of his under-performance. In order to keep a track of the progress, you must share your child’s score with the tutors.  This will improve the academic performance of your kid.

Set realistic goals for your child

Make sure you set achievable goals for your kid. You should discuss these goals with the tutor so that they know your expectations. This will help the child to attain his academic goals without putting any unwanted stress on his mind. You can also offer rewards and prizes to him if he gets good grades or completes a project on time. It will encourage your child to work hard and perform better.

Reinforce the lessons

You should assist your child practice the learning material at home. It will help him in grasping the concepts in a better way. You can also make use of everyday examples to make the learning experience interesting.

Encourage your child to ask questions

Asking questions from the tutor will help to clear the doubts and gain a better understanding of the concepts. Your child will be able to retain the information for a longer time and become a logical learner.

Choose a suitable time

You should know the time when your child feels comfortable going for tutoring. It can be right after the school or in the evening. Choosing a suitable time will help the child to become responsive as well as engaged which will increase his efficiency in academics.

If you follow the above mentioned tips, you can definitely assist your child in getting good academic grades.

We, at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas, organize various tutoring programs for kids. For more information, you can call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX - 76541.

Reasons Your Kid Should Play Football

27. December 2016 Administrator Youth Football (0)
Most parents wish to enroll their kids in various extra-curricular activities with sports being at the top of the list. A number of questions may arise when it comes to deciding on a sport that will be the most suitable for the kid. One of the most common options is Football. Being a team sport, it lends many benefits to the kids in long run.

Discussed below are a number of reasons that make football the perfect sport for your kid:

Ensures Physical As Well As Mental Growth
Football requires the players to be active, both physically as well as mentally. They should be able to tackle all sorts of moves and make quick decisions while on the field. This can help to boost their all round development.

Incorporates Discipline
A football player has to be disciplined and punctual. Reaching the practice sessions on time and abiding by the rules is a prominent part of the game. The kid learns to follow a defined schedule, respect the opposite team as well as obey the coach.  

Develops Healthy Competition
Indulging in team sports like football, cultivates the feeling of responsibility among the players and at the same time educates them about important life lessons. It teaches the players to strive for victory and take defeat in stride.

A Great Exercise
With running and sprinting throughout the game, the kid gets a great amount of physical exercise. Daily practice involves stretching and strengthening of the muscles which helps to keep them strong as well as flexible. It is a great escape from playing video games or watching TV.

Teaches Cooperation
It is a team sport and cannot be played without mutual cooperation between all the players. The players learn to ignore personal differences and focus on the game. It develops better communication and social skills in the players that can help them in the longer run.

Prepares Kids For Life
Falling and getting back up to play the game is an important lesson that prepares the players for life after school. It teaches them to accept failures in a better way.

All in all, the sport will help your kid to grow into be a stronger human being - emotionally, mentally and physically.

We, at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas, organize Youth Football League for kids in Killeen, TX. For more information, you can call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX 76541.

Fun Dental Activities For Kids

20. December 2016 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
Maintaining oral health is important to avoid any tooth problems and ensure fewer visits to the dentist. When it comes to dental care, the earlier you start the better it is. Kids should be taught about the benefits of brushing and other healthy practices such as flossing that prolongs the life of their teeth. There are a number of fun activities for kids that can make dental care interesting. Some of these have been discussed below:

  • Dental Health Programs: Certain kids clubs organize dental health programs. Their aim is to educate the kids about the importance of keeping the teeth clean. They teach them the overall health benefits of maintaining oral hygiene.
  • Demonstrate To Teach: To make learning interactive, you can use various methods to demonstrate the importance of teeth. Use an apple and prick it with a needle to explain how cavities damage the tooth till the roots. Teachers and parents can show them how to properly brush the teeth.
  • Count Them All: Educate the kids about the number of teeth they have by making them count their own. Then show them through illustrations that an adult has 28 to 32 teeth, which once fallen will not grow back. This not only fascinates the kids but they may also get encouraged to take better care of their teeth even when they grow up.
  • Learning Through Coloring: To make the kids familiar with the tooth’s anatomy, you can draw the teeth in different sizes on a sheet and ask the kids to color them. It will help them to understand how the tooth looks. You can also make the kids differentiate between the shapes of the teeth and teach them the various uses of those located in the front as well as back of the mouth.
  • Learn Through The Alphabets: You can draw the teeth on a chalk board to teach the kids about cavities and importance of brushing. Cover the teeth with colored alphabets to demonstrate candies and germs. Hand the kid with a duster which is meant to act like a tooth brush. Guide him to erase them one by one to have shiny clean teeth.  
The above mentioned activities can teach the kids to keep their teeth clean and free from cavities. Inculcate healthy activities in your kids’ routine like brushing twice a day and avoiding sticky, sweet foods. The better they care, the stronger teeth they will have.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas offers a wide range of programs to enhance health and life skills of kids. For more information, feel free to call us at (254) 699 – 5808.

Kid Friendly Activities In Texas

23. November 2016 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
All parents want to ensure an all-round development of their child. For this, enrolling him in various kid friendly activities can be a good option. These activities offer a broad spectrum of benefits such as instilling confidence, building character and improving the fitness level of kids. They can also help to explore your child’s hidden potential and helping him choose the right career option.

Listed below are some of the kid friendly activities organized at clubs in Texas:

Career awareness programs
A variety of programs focus on helping the child to develop his academic goals. The idea is to involve him in activities that match his interests. For example, a child aspiring to be a software engineer can enroll in a computer program. He can learn programming and software to further evolve his interest in computers. Kids interested in banking and business can indulge in monetary games such as managing a virtual bank account. They can also take part in more than one career oriented activities in order to identify their interests.

Health and fitness Programs
In order to promote healthy living, fitness and oral hygiene, a wide range of programs are offered by the kids clubs in Texas. They organize dental care workshops as well as create awareness regarding substance abuse such as the harmful effects of alcohol, tobacco and drugs. They incorporate a sense of responsibility in kids by inspiring them to lead a healthy lifestyle.

A platform for the young artists
For kids who are more inclined towards arts, a number of painting exhibitions, photography contests, music camps etc. are organized to let them showcase their talent. These programs aim to encourage kids to pursue arts as a career option. The young artists also get to showcase their acting skills through drama and theater.  

Sports and recreational programs
These programs encourage participation in a number of sports such as football and basketball. Swimming competitions, cheerleading and sports leagues are a great way to promote physical fitness in kids. These activities offer a blend of benefits, such as developing a sense of team spirit, making them responsible and developing leadership qualities in the kids.

Character building programs
These programs are designed to encourage kids to identify their strengths and weaknesses. This helps them to set realistic goals and work towards achieving them. Kids are also encouraged to indulge in group activities such as community service that require showcasing their leadership qualities. It promotes self-esteem in kids and ensures personal improvement.
The various activities discussed above ensure a multi-dimensional growth of the kids. They serve as a platform for young actors, talented artists, future leaders, aspiring business tycoons as well as skilled engineers.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas offers a wide range of fun and educational activities for kids of all age groups. For more information, feel free to call us at (254) 699 – 5808.

Drama Classes- Benefits For Kids

26. October 2016 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
Schools emphasize on a child’s ability to learn, read and write. There is no doubt that these basic skills are important, but communication skills must be given equal importance. Some children have the natural gift of being outspoken, whereas others may require a fairly good amount of appreciation and practice to develop their speech skills.

Being good at communication helps to make new friends, stand out in the crowd and become the teachers’ favorite. These reasons are enough to validate why drama classes are so important for kids with or without effective communication skills.

Drama teaches kids to speak clearly, loudly and with confidence. It also makes them more expressive and confident. They learn to maintain eye contact while speaking, instead of displaying those nervous mannerisms like looking at their feet or scratching their head.

Discussed below are some of the techniques which kids can learn through drama classes:

  • Use of tongue twisters and raps. The drama teachers know how to encourage clear diction. They make use of these warm up exercises to improve kids’ speech delivery.
  • How you say it matters too. To train the kids to be firm while speaking, certain games or discussions are included ‘in-between’ practice. These games help the kid to keep his opinion without any hesitation.
  • Role play. Drama requires kids to enact situations they have never faced before. This gives them experience and equips them for the life outside the school.

These techniques pour-in a number of benefits for kids engaged with drama. Some of the benefits have been discussed below:

  • Freedom of self-expression. Drama is a blend of facial expressions, voice modulation and body language. Kids can benefit by taking these skills beyond stage and using them in general communication. Ability to express is an art and kids learn this art profusely with drama.
  • Drama gives wings to your kid’s imagination. While portraying a character on stage, the kid’s imagination plays a huge role. It adds depth to a role and helps the child to perform better. This increases his creativity and helps him to perform better.
  • Confidence. There is no doubt that performing on stage is a confidence booster. Bringing out the emotions, delivering the dialogues with finesse and receiving applauds is enough to feel confident.
  • Team work. Drama helps to develop team spirit. Introvert kids can also face the audience better through drama. They can make new friends, have a bigger social circle and learn how to respect by working with elders and more talented people.
All in all, drama is a fun activity which helps to bring out hidden talents and also makes you popular!

We, at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas, organize TNT DramaMatters Afterschool, a drama education program for kids of all age groups. For more information, call us at (254) 699 – 5808.

Basketball: Health Benefits For Kids

20. September 2016 Administrator Kids Activities, Youth Basketball (0)
Basketball is one of the most popular sports in the USA and offers a myriad of benefits of the children. As a result, many parents are enrolling their kids in the basketball leagues offered by the kids clubs in Texas. Getting your child learn basketball skills at a young age not only develops his basic coordination and team-building skills, but also lay the foundation for a physically active life. The continuous shooting, dribbling, passing and rebounding are a great form of exercise and help the players stay fit.

Given below are some of the health benefits kids can have by enrolling in a basketball league:

Builds Endurance

Basketball is a high intensity sport that can help the players to build endurance and improve cardiovascular health. The running, jumping and dribbling are a good workout for the entire body, which boosts aerobic capacity, energy levels as well as metabolism. Endurance building also keeps the heart healthy and reduce the risk of heart problems later in life.

Improves Strength And Motor Skills

Complete motor control is essential to pass and shoot the ball with precision during the game.  Repetitive practice enables the children to gain more control over their muscle forces and body movements. Strength training exercises are aimed at building deltoids, trapezii, neck, lower back and core muscles so that the player can defend himself when the opponent pushes against him. Shooting and running increase leg strength while dribbling builds up the muscles of hand, arm as well as wrist.

Burns Calories

Playing basketball gives you a high impact aerobics exercise that helps to burn a lot of calories. All the running, jumping and lateral movements involved in the game are a fun way to promote physical activity as well as keep childhood obesity at bay. An hour of basketball can burn around 600 to 900 calories, depending upon the weight of the child and intensity of the game.

Increases Ankle Stability

The game involves several movements that work to increase the strength of the lower limbs. Pivoting, multi-directional running, twisting, back and forth movements etc. employ the muscles, tendons, ligaments as well as other structures surrounding the ankle joint. When kids participate in basketball leagues, they are trained to maintain the stability of the ankle to maintain balance during all these movements. It not only increases joint stability but also reduces the risk of injuries.  

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas organizes different basketball leagues for kids of 2nd to 6th grade. For details about the enrollment procedure, you can call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit the kids club at 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541. 

Health Skills Programs For Growing Kids

13. September 2016 Administrator Child Care (0)
Health skills programs are very essential for the emotional, physical and social development of the kids. They also help to improve and maintain physical fitness.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas is a leading child care center organizing a wide range of health skills programs for kids of all age groups. The club aims at helping the kids make right nutritional choices while avoiding any health risks.
Listed below are the health skills programs organized by the club:

  • Cavity-Free Zone: This program is developed for kids of age 6-15 years with an aim to increase awareness about good oral hygiene and dental health. It includes various fun-filled and engaging sessions for the members. The club offers a broad spectrum of games and interactive activities which help the kids increase their knowledge about oral health. The program is sponsored by Crest.   
  • SMART Moves: This comprehensive program aims at helping young people resist alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. Various group activities are organized which help in enhancing leadership and life skills.  Other programs organized under SMART Moves include SMART kids, Start SMART and Stay SMART for kids of different age groups.    
  • SMART Girls: It is designed to enhance self-esteem of girls aged 8-17 years. The club organizes a wide range of kids activities, field trips and mentoring opportunities to help adult women stay physically fit. Funded by David and Lucile Packard Foundation, this program helps the girls develop positive relationship with peers as well as adults.     
  • SMART Leaders: The main objective of this program is to reinforce the skills and knowledge learnt in SMART Moves. It encourages the kids to help their peers and develop resistance against alcohol, tobacco and other drug use. It also helps to instill leadership skills among the members.
  • Passport To Manhood: The program comprises of 14 sessions which revolve around different aspects of manhood. The staff engages young boys (11 and 14 years) in discussion activities related to responsibilities, code of conduct, behavior etc.
  • Triple Play's Healthy Habits: The club organizes this program to incorporate healthy living and active learning among kids of age 6-15 years. Triple Play's Healthy Habits encourages the youth to include good nutrition and physical activities in their daily regime. It aims at improving overall health of the kids.  
For more information about the health skills programs organized by Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas, you can call at (254) 699 – 5808.

After-School Activities In Texas

19. August 2016 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
After-school activities have various physical, social and mental benefits for kids. These activities not only improve their academic performance but also assist in exploring their hidden potential and building leadership skills among children.

There are many kids clubs in Texas offering an interesting mix of options for after-school activities. Depending on the interest of your child, you can enroll him in any activity such as sports, art and craft, health and hygiene or tutoring program.

Discussed below are some of the benefits of after-school activities for kids:

  • Help in keeping children physically fit: After-school activities are a great way to help the children in improving their physical fitness. These days, most kids spend a lot of time in front of electronic gadgets and refrain from going outdoors. However, enrolling your children in a sports program will not only keep them physically fit but also promote teamwork and leadership skills.
  • Develop creativity: Some of the most interesting after-school activities involve art and craft as well as music. The activities give a creative outlet to children and allow them to express their emotions, utilize their curiosity in a productive manner and develop problem solving skills. By discovering their hidden talents and abilities, children gain a lot of confidence which is a crucial aspect of personality development.
  • Build self-esteem: After-school activities provide the children a great opportunity to hone their skills in a relaxed setting without any pressure. Getting a grip on new things and mastering them makes children more confident and builds their self-esteem. This is a useful personality trait which proves to be very beneficial in the future.
  • Release stress: Children can often get stressed due to the academics or peer pressure at school. After-school activities are performed in a relaxed environment where there is no such pressure on the kids. They are allows to be their own self and do what they want to. This releases stress and calms the mind so that children can learn new things more easily. They develop social skills and shed their inhibitions by interacting with other kids.
  • Inculcate teamwork: After-school activities make the kids realize the importance of teamwork. They also learn important lessons about sportsmanship spirit and healthy competition. Children also understand that participation is more important than winning and they should take defeat in their stride. Giving their best performance is more important without worrying about the result.
  • Improve academic performance: Involvement in after-school activities also helps in improving grades and overall academic performance. The general behavior and work habits of children tend to show a positive growth as a result of engaging in extracurricular activities.
Enroll your child in the after-school activities organized at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas for his overall development. We offer various educational, art, sports, character and leadership programs for kids aged 6 to 18 years. For more information, you can call us at (254) 699 – 5808.

Educational Activities For Kids In Central Texas

12. August 2016 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
Enrolling your kids in educational programs can not only sharpen their cognitive abilities but also develop their interest in academics. These activities instill a sense of self-actualization and help them become better learners.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas organizes various educational activities for kids of different age groups. These activities aim at improving their academic and practical skills. The staff at the club identifies the kids’ strengths as well as weaknesses and suggest ways to work upon the weak areas.

Listed below are various educational activities organized by the kids club in Texas:

  • Project Learn: This program aims at boosting the academic performance of kids aged between 6 and 18 years. It includes activities such as leisure reading, writing, homework help etc.  Kids can also discuss all their doubts and queries with the staff. Stimulating games such as scrabble are also organized to improve cognitive abilities of kids.   
  • Goals For Graduation: Kids of age group 6-15 years are taught to set achievable goals. Their daily action plans are linked to their future aspirations. The staff creates specific strategies to help the kids achieve their short and long term goals.     
  • Power Hour: Kids aged between 6 and 16 years can participate in this program. The staff provides complete tutoring and homework help to improve their academic grades. They also motivate the kids to keep a track of their progress so that they become self-directed learners.
  • Career Launch: The club encourages kids aged between 13 and 18 years of age to explore their hidden skills. This can help them make an informed decision regarding their career. The staff also provides practical job hunting advice to kids.
  • Junior Staff Career Development: In this program, various activities are organized to help the kids of age group 11-18 years explore the career options in youth and human services. Field trips to other service organizations prepare the youth to become a volunteer leader.  
  • Skill Tech: This program helps the kids aged between 6 and 18 years to learn practical computer skills. The staff uses innovative and animated tutorials to enhance networking skills. They help the kids become well-acquainted with word processing, spread sheets and other productivity software.
  • Money Matters: The club aims at developing basic money management skills among children of age group 13-18 years. The staff members provide effective tips to manage a checking account, create a budget as well as save and invest for college.  They also help the kids learn about starting a small business.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas is a renowned child care center in Killeen, TX organizing a wide range of educational activities for kids. For more information, you can call at (254) 699 - 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.