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Keeping Your Kids Active In Winter

7. December 2017 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
Everything slows down in winters. Our little kids are no exception. All they want to do is coop up indoors and watch their favorite shows on television or play a thrilling video game. The question is, are there better things to do in winters? Yes. There are plenty of fun activities to keep your child active, healthy and happy in winters.

Here is a look at some -

Enroll Them In Clubs - The best way to keep your kids active and energetic is to enroll them in various clubs and activities. This not only provides children an opportunity to learn necessary skills but also keeps them busy and occupied with something that is purposeful. You can make your kids join any of the following programs-

  • Art and music classes
  • Character & leadership building programs
  • Sports, fitness & recreation clubs
  • Health & life skill workshops

Indoor Playgrounds - There’s no need to feel stuck indoors on a cold winter day. Indoor playgrounds are a life saver for both parents and kids. They have lots of interactive games and fun activities like:

  • Obstacle courses
  • Tunnel slides
  • Themed giant inflatables e.g. princess castle, batman, fire engine, etc.
  • Arcade games

Sweat Together - Have a fun workout session with your kids. You can check out an exercise video online. This way not only do you learn new fitness moves together, but are also instilling into your child a wonderful habit of exercising. You are teaching them a great way of utilizing their indoor time.

Ice Skating - Visit a local skating rink. It is a superb winter activity for working on your child’s balance and coordination. It also builds up a kid’s strength in addition to being a heart pumping workout.
You can even plan an ice skating party for your kids. There are various ice skating games for kids such as:

  • Four corners
  • Freeze skate
  • Gliders
  • Skate chain
  • Ice potato

Tobogganing – If you can, send your little one tobogganing on a nearby snow covered hill. It is great if there are a bunch of kids to have maximum fun. Every kid sliding down that snow-laden hill will have a beaming smile and a hearty laugh which can brighten any winter day!

We, at Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas, offer a wide range of programs for kids up to 18 years of age. To enroll your child at the club, call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.

Benefits Of After-School Programs

21. September 2017 Administrator Tutoring, Youth Football (0)
After-school programs are perfect for utilizing your child’s free time to do something productive. These programs are specifically beneficial for hyperactive kids as they get an outlet to use their pent up energy in a fruitful manner. After-school programs also enhance the overall personality of your child and makes him confident to face the world. Some other important benefits of such programs are listed below:

  • Increases Interest In Academics: After-school programs provide the kids with an opportunity to complete their homework and also ask for additional help, if required. The informal environment at these clubs is great for increasing a child’s interest in academics. They are introduced to new concepts in Mathematics and Science which eventually improves the academic performance in school.
  • Develops Confidence: After-school programs encourage kids to take up new hobbies and tasks that they haven’t tried previously. This gives the children a sense of freedom which might not be a regular feature in their school. The willingness to try new things and take risks builds their self-esteem and acts as confidence booster. A confident personality is essential to succeed in personal and professional life. 
  • Inculcates Leadership Skills: Children participating in after-school programs also get to develop leadership skills. Being in-charge of various activities or taking up leadership roles such as the head of a student council etc. gives volunteering prospects to kids. This provides them a sneak peek into the working ways of the professional organizations and also inculcates leadership qualities.
  • Keeps Children Physically Active: The clubs encourage children to remain physically active by getting involved in football, tennis and basketball etc. Not only do after-school activities promote physical fitness, but also teach children about sportsmanship and teamwork. Additionally, there are many after-school programs that pay attention to nutrition as well. Special care is taken to give children wholesome food and manage their daily diets.
  • Enhances Social Skills: A good after-school program has a mix of kids from various backgrounds and social statuses. When children interact with each other and learn new things, it automatically improves their social skills. Performing group activities teaches them to cooperate with everyone and respect each other. They are also more likely to start a new conversation or join an entirely new group in the school if they get the right guidance during after-school activities.
  • Keeps Kids Away From Unsafe Environment: There are many children with attention and learning issues who go to attend after-school programs. These children are most likely to get engaged in drug abuse or other petty crimes if they have too much free time on hand. However, an after-school program can keep students away from any kind of risky behavior and also lead to fewer behavioral issues by making them use their time in a creative way.
We, at Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas, offer a wide range of after-school programs for the kids aged 7 to 17 years. To enroll your child at the club, call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.

Cheerleading: Yells, Chants, Cheers And Fun!!

13. October 2016 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
Cheerleading is one of the most fabulous sports for kids which has gained a lot of popularity over the years. Cheerleaders boost up energy in the team and make the game even more interesting. The activity offers not only physical but various mental benefits for the kids. It is a great source of relaxation and channelizes the energy in a positive manner. Though becoming a cheerleader can be challenging, it has several advantages as well.       

Let's take a look at some of the advantages of enrolling your kid in a cheerleading program:

Helps in strength building

It requires a great amount of physical strength to perform tumbling and tossing. Lower body, shoulder and core muscles need to be very strong. They need to have a balanced control to bear the weight of the teammates while performing lifts. Cheerleading involves a wide range of physical activities such as tumbling, dancing, jumping etc. It acts a great cardio workout and helps in maintaining overall physical fitness of the kid.  It also builds stamina and physical endurance among the cheerleaders.

Increases flexibility

High kick baskets and jumps in cheerleading require a lot of flexibility. Thus, cheerleaders perform stretching exercises before and after the practice. This not only enhances mobility but also improves their posture. The warmup exercises strengthen the spine and reduce the chances of suffering from any muscle strains or sprains while performing. Having an increased flexibility is also known to be beneficial in decreasing stress levels in kids.

Boosts confidence

Performing in front of a large audience as well as receiving appreciation in the form of applauses can reduce stage-fear in kids.  Also, learning a new skill makes them stay ahead of the peers and enhances their self-esteem. It gives them a boost to perform their daily activities in a better way. There’s more to it, the thought of motivating the team can also boost self-confidence and imbibe optimism in the kids which can help them to achieve their goals.   

Enhances team building skills

Cheerleading is the best way of fostering relationships and enhancing team building skills. Motivating the team through ups and down helps in social interaction and is a great way to connect with other members. Cheerleaders always encourage their team to win and stay united.  They help in creating a positive environment and also enhance the social as well as leadership skills among the players. It helps in building trust among team members which is essential to ensure safety of all during the performance.  

Improves coordination

Cheerleading is an activity that is based on timing and rhythm. Since it requires to follow certain sequences and beats, cheerleaders can improve her body control, concentration as well as balance through the activity. For a good performance they need to be in tune with the other team members. Thus, practising this activity on a regular basis can help to improve coordination skills. Cheerleaders will become more disciplined by following a fixed schedule and paying attention to the instructor.  

Means of socialization

It is a perfect way to socialize as it provides the chance to meet other kids having similar interests. It helps in making new friends and improving social skills. Cheerleading is a fun activity which reduces depression and anxiety. It provides a break from the monotonous life and revitalizes energy. It not only helps in leading an active lifestyle but also prepares the cheerleaders to face new challenges.  

We, at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas, organize cheerleading programs for kids of age 7-12 years. The instructors at our club are well trained and provide personalized attention to each kid.  Registrations are open in July-August every year. For enrollment, you need to bring your kid’s birth certificate or Mil. ID. Candidates must live in KISD area or attend KISD schools. The participation fee is $25 and includes the rent of the uniform. For more information, you can call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX - 76541.

Sports And Recreational Activities For Kids In Killeen

4. June 2015 Administrator Blog, Kids Activities (0)
Sports and recreational activities are important for promoting good health and improving the quality of life for kids. Children find these activities fun and an interesting way to spend their leisure time. You can enroll you child at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas for participating in various activities, sports and games.

Benefits of sports and recreation

  • Personal and health benefits: The sports and recreational activities not only help in decreasing obesity among children but also boost self-esteem, confidence, self-respect, trust and leadership abilities. Physical activity also contributes towards improving the academic performance of the children. Sports improve concentration, attention and classroom behavior. Children become socially oriented by participating in these activities, which provide challenges as well adventure to them.
  • Another benefit of sports and recreational activities is that it helps in reducing stress and making the children happy. By indulging in different sports, kids develop character and learn time management. They interact with the children of their age group and this helps improve their communication and learning skills.
  • Benefits to community: Besides offering physical benefits, the sports and recreational activities also benefit the community, as they bring the people together. Sports help in building the value of teamwork and offer fun. The children follow their role models and try to achieve their goals like them, to win at a sport or game and benefit the community.  Thus parents should encourage their children to maintain an active lifestyle and enjoy a sport or game. Rather than playing video games, using Internet and having sedentary lifestyle, children can enjoy being physically active.
We, at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas offer various organized sports leagues. Basketball leagues for 2nd Grade, ¾ Grade, and 5/6 Grade are conducted. You can even register for cheerleading program, which is offered for youth in 7-15 age groups. The program is for students who attend or live within the KISD school district students. The club also offers the NCAA League, which is available for boys 7-9 years old. You can register for Swim League for ages 7-17 years.

Our kids club has been organizing fun-filled activities for more than a decade and also has various branches at different locations in Texas. To register, you can visit us at 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541 or call 254-699-5808  Ext:102.

Fun Indoor Activities For Kids In Texas

21. May 2015 Administrator Kids Activities (0)
Indoor activities should be encouraged by parents to instill creativity in their child. These activities come with the added advantage of not being affected by the weather conditions outside.  Children can learn various fun indoor activities that enhance their skills and help them discover hidden talents.

Some indoor activities for kids include:

  • Arts and craft: One of the interesting indoor activities that most children like is arts and craft. This encourages their creativity and imagination along with offering them a chance to express themselves. Various art and craft competitions are also organized for kids to help them identify their hidden talents and creativity. They learn to paint, draw, sketch, color and stitch which are interesting hobbies and some useful life skills too.
  • Photography: This is another fun filled indoor activity that kids enjoy. Registering for a photography class gives the children a chance to learn basic skills. It also encourages them to participate in various photography competitions. Photography promotes thinking in different perspectives and can also become a child’s hobby.
  • Digital arts: Children can also learn various digital arts such as web page design, graphics, animation etc. These are really useful in today's highly technically advanced environment and can be picked up as a profession too. The children can also learn skills to make videos, edit and design.
  • Music: An indoor activity that appeals to children of all age groups is music. It helps them be creative and encourages them to be expressive. This can also assist in developing a life long hobby or discovering a hidden talent. Professionals mentor the children and help them learn a new instrument, write lyrics or sing a song.
  • Drama or theater: Children can also participate in theater and drama workshops to learn and display their acting skills. They enact plays and perform shows, which help them have insight into the world of acting. Such activities help the children gain confidence and overcome their stage fright. During workshops, kids interact with the mentors and learn new skills from them. The children are also encouraged to participate in competition by offering them training and appreciation.
These activities encourage children to be expressive, creative and constructive. It also helps them communicate their thoughts and build new friendships.

For more information, contact Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas at (254) 699 - 5808.

Activities To Develop Speech And Language Skills In Kids

3. February 2015 Administrator (0)

Early childhood years are crucial as the brain develops quickly and children are more open to learning. They are more receptive and easily imitate everything that they experience. As children are interactive in nature and depending upon their speech abilities they try to express themselves in different ways such as gestures, sounds, words and sentences.

Children who have poor speech development usually suffer from delayed learning in life. Therefore, it is essential to develop their speech and language skills. Kids clubs play a crucial role in enhancing these skills, as children interact with many other children of different ages.  The instructors at the clubs have experience of dealing with children with varied speech development levels. The clubs offer an array of language-based activities that help the kids expand their vocabulary, improve speech and understand communication. Some of the activities organized at kids club include:

  • Role-playing: It is an activity used to help children develop communication skills. During role-plays, the children are given imaginative situations where they get into character and act out a role. Role Play is a social activity that helps children develop communication skills as well as the knowledge of a topic. Role-play sparks brainstorming sessions and helps children see situations from different perspectives. Besides developing communication skills and language abilities, role-playing helps children explore, investigate and experiment. The instructors dramatize the situations and add costumes to make the activity more interesting and entertaining.
  • Interactive and Loud Reading: Books are one of the best tools that kid’s club use to improve language skills of the children. The instructors read the stories to the children on regular basis to introduce new vocabulary. Asking questions while reading and encouraging the kids to ask questions also helps. The instructors encourage children to provide a climax to the story and read aloud, as it builds fluency and confidence.
  • Ask Questions: Certain games that involve questioning help children acquire good communication skills. By showing an object and asking related questions, such as what that object is, what it does, etc., can encourage the children to talk and express themselves. The questions prompt the children to talk, participate and put forward their opinions.

We, at Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas organize various actvities to develop speech and language skills in kids. All our programs aim at making the kids confident about their language skills. For more information, call us at (254) 699 - 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX - 76541.