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Teaching Goal Setting To Kids

A major lesson to teach your children is that setting goals is important in order to become successful individuals in life. A child who learns the art of setting goals early in life is likely to succeed, as they know how to aspire for things, and also work towards achieving them.

Goal-setting is something that comes through practice, until it becomes a habit that comes naturally. Here is a look at some strategies that can be adopted to teach kids the importance of goal-setting.

  • The first thing to remember when trying to teach children how to set goals is that they learn what they see. Be a good example to your child, and involve them in the process of your own goals. When kids watch their parents taking their goals seriously, they are more likely to follow the same with their own goals. This could be something as simple as a goal to drink 6-8 glasses of water a day, to complex goals like reaching a certain target at work.
  • As a parent, it is important to sit down with your children and have a conversation about goal-setting. Start by defining the term goal, and asking them questions about how important it is to set goals. This will help you identify any aspects of their thought process that might need to be worked on.
  • Age-old technique of rewarding children each time they achieve a goal does not fail. This works for kids of all ages, provided the reward is something that is enticing to them. You could do whatever works for your kids, such as stickers, stars, brownie points etc., and offer them a reward when they meet a certain goal.
  • Finally, involve yourself in the process of identifying goals for your children. You can opt for a visual method like a blackboard or notice board. You could also help them create a goal journal with simple entries like what their goal was, what they did to achieve it, and how they felt after they achieved it. This is a great way to keep them motivated, as they can always look back at their journal and draw inspiration to work harder towards future goals.

We, at Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas, offer a wide range of programs for kids from 6 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.

Ways To Encourage Your Child To Be Physically Active

Keeping kids physically active is important for their overall health and well-being.  However, with the progression of age and increased academic burden, it may get difficult to engage them in various physical activities. One of the simplest ways to do this is by enrolling them in a kids club. This will not only keep them physically active but also promote better sleep and provide a better outlook towards life. As a parent, you need to be committed towards increasing your child’s physical activity levels as it will have a lifelong impact on his well-being.

Below is a list of different ways in which you can encourage your child to be physically active:

  • Encourage participation in sports: It is important to let your child choose a sport that he loves as this will help him enjoy the activity a lot more. Be it football, basketball or badminton, the free time in between studies can be spent being physically active.
  • Become a good role model: You should set a good example in front of your children by exercising regularly. When children see their parents physically active, they tend to get more active themselves. Enlighten your children about the importance of exercise and try to involve them in your exercise routine. 
  • Plan age-based activities: The level of any physical activity should be according to the age of your child. For instance, if your child is a pre-schooler, you need to engage him in activities that assist in development of motor skills. On the other hand, school-aged kids can get involved in sports such as youth football, basketball, biking, trekking etc. Teenagers can attend gym classes, enroll in a gymnastic class or play any type of sport they enjoy.
  • Give outdoor time: You should send your child outside more often in order to encourage him to be more active. You can take your child to a nearby park to play Frisbee or accompany him while he rides a bicycle on the trail. Also, allow your child to spend more time with his friends as this is likely to make him more active.
  • Actively support your child: Buy good equipment that your child requires for a specific physical activity such as sports etc. Tag along to pick and drop your child when he goes to a kids club or practice sessions. Go and watch him play and make your child’s physical activity a priority. Play with him while you are in the park so that he enjoys being physically active and doesn’t see it as a strenuous activity.
  • Emphasize on the fun factor: Persuade your child to get involved in a variety of physical activities and help him learn new playing skills. Don’t focus on being too competitive and show complete confidence in his abilities. This will encourage him to be physically active.
We, at Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas, organize a wide range of sports and recreational activities for kids. To know more about the activities offered, call at (254) 699 – 5808.

Engaging Outdoor Activities For Kids In Texas

Outdoor activities should be an intrinsic part of kids’ daily routine to keep them physically active. Apart from physical fitness, playing outdoors also improves brain functioning and strengthens the immunity of kids. The activities imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship and make them learn the importance of teamwork. Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas, a renowned kids club in Killeen, TX organizes a wide range of engaging outdoor activities for its members.

Below is a list of some outdoor activities organized by the club:

  • Football: The club offers various football leagues for kids of different age groups. The game helps children improve their agility and strength. It also boosts their cardiovascular health and hand-eye co-ordination.
  • Basketball: The club offers three basketball leagues for kids in 2nd grade, 3/4 grade and 5/6 grade. Basketball is a high-intensity workout that helps children improve metabolism and ankle stability. The sport increases their co-ordination, concentration and mental agility to dribble, pass and shoot the ball.
  • Swimming: This activity is beneficial in maintaining physical and mental fitness. Learning to swim can protect your child in case of any water related emergencies. In addition, swimming is a low impact activity that promotes cardiovascular health and improves stamina, joint flexibility, strength, balance as well as posture. You can get in touch with the kids club in Texas to get your child enrolled in a swimming program.
  • Cheerleading: This activity inculcates team spirit and coordination skills. The club organizes various cheerleading programs for kids of age 7-12 years. The sport increase physical endurance, boosts self-confidence and inculcates leadership qualities in the children.
  • Baseball: Enroll your child in a kids club where he is taught and encouraged to play baseball. Apart from learning teamwork as well as discipline, your child will also enhance physical strength and develop a better hand-eye co-ordination by playing baseball.
We, at Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas, offer as wide range of outdoor activities for kids aged 7 to 12 years. Our club has experienced coaches to provide the best training to the kids and help them hone their skills in the specific sport. To know more about the procedure to enroll your kids in any of the activities, you can call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit the club at 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.

Tips To Find The Right Summer Camp For Your Child

Summer camps help kids learn new skills, become independent and make new friends. They also offer an opportunity to experience memorable moments that they can cherish lifelong. The camps can build their overall personality and is the best utilization of their free time during the summer break. After weighing all the options, parents must encourage their children to make the best of their time at the camp.

Following are some tips that may help the parents to choose the right summer camp for their kids:

  • Consider the interests of the child: It is best to sit down with the child and know what kind of activities he is looking forward to in his summer break. Depending on his interests and expectations, you should shortlist from the many options available. A camp that offers what a child will enjoy will help him learn faster.
  • Is the camp accredited by American Camp Association (ACA): ACA approves camps on the basis of over 300 must-comply factors related with safety, hygiene, staff to kids’ ratio etc. If the camp is accredited, you can rest assured about the safety and benefit of your child.
  • Type of camps: There are day camps and overnight stay-away camps. You should discuss with the child what he/she is comfortable in. Some camps focus on a single activity and others offer a variety of programs. 
  • Cost of the camp: The duration, activities and facilities are some such factors which parents must evaluate before making up your mind. The cost may vary according to the activities offered in the camp. You may also look for discounts offered like early bird reservations, referral or sibling discounts.
  • Location: Decide if you would like to keep kids closer to home or you are fine with sending them far away. For overnight camps, the location becomes an even important factor as the beauty of the place and comfort levels of the terrain may affect one’s choice.
  • Make all inquiries: You must not hesitate in making all the inquiries over a phone call before making any decision. It is recommended to ask the camp organizer about the composition of other students attending (age group, gender ratio etc.), the experience of the staff, activities planned for the camp, etc.
If you are looking for a fun and exciting summer camp for your kids, consider Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas. We organize residential summer break camp for middle school students. For details about registration, feel free to call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.

The Many Benefits Of Summer Camps For Kids

Summer camps are an ideal learning experience for kids as they learn to live life to the fullest. Such camps also help in nourishing their souls and make them grow into better individuals. It is the responsibility of every parent to enroll their children in a summer camp because the benefits associated with such a camp are aplenty. Some of these are:

  • Ample physical activity: These days most of the children prefer playing games on the gadgets rather than venturing out in the open. A summer camp provides them an opportunity to get involved in various physical activities. They can perform fun activities such as running, swimming, hiking etc. This makes them physically fit and active.
  • Build self-confidence: Going to a camp helps in building their self-confidence by providing them with diverse opportunities to succeed. The activities they perform at a camp are entirely different from their regular school curriculum. This helps them explore various facets of their personality and boosts self-esteem.
  • Make friends for a lifetime: Children get the opportunity to make new friends during a camp. They get to relax without any social expectations and this encourages development of new bonds. All the fun camping activities such as singing, talking as well as playing helps children come closer and become the best of friends.
  • Gives a break from technology: Kids learn to get involved in the real world while staying in a camp. They hang out far away from the virtual world of Internet, computer, TV and smartphones. Encountering real life situations in the camp nurtures their creative juices and helps them discover their potential.
  • Increases independence: A camp is the perfect destination for kids to imbibe decision-making skills. They do not have their parents or teachers to guide at every step and this makes them become more independent. A camp provides kids with the freedom of making choices which enhances their personality.
  • Promotes flexibility: The setting and environment in a camp helps the children in becoming pros at bearing setbacks. They try and learn new things while enjoying in the camp. They face failure which helps them to learn how to endure disappointment. Camps help them conquer their fears and this is one of the greatest lessons to be learnt in life.
  • Imbibes social skills: A summer camp is a warm and close-knit community where children are required to respect and co-operate with each other. Staying together with other kids helps them discover the power of communication. They also learn to sort out their differences in an amicable way without creating any unpleasant situation.
We, at Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas, organize summer camp for middle school kids. For details about the registration process, call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.

Teach Your Kids To Be Digital Artists

With the advent of technology, newer channels are being developed to express creativity and showcase it in front of the whole world. One of the most recent mediums that are becoming widely popular to display thoughts and experiences is ‘Digital Art’.

Digital art has various forms such as graphic design, videography, photo illustration, web page design, special effects etc. This field offers bright career prospects and therefore it is important that you encourage your kids to widen their interest in the digital arts arena. There are kids clubs in Texas that organize digital arts programs for kids to hone their talent.

There are a plethora of career options in digital arts. Your child can become an animator, a cartoonist, web designer, photographer, multimedia artist etc. The scope is endless and fresh career opportunities are being added every now and then. Parents and teachers can make the child a digital artist by supporting his inventiveness and creativity. Following is a list of some steps that you can consider:

  • Make your children join a kids club: A large number of kids clubs organize special workshops pertaining to Digital Art. They offer programs in subjects such as web page design, graphic designing, photo illustration etc. You should get your kids enrolled in one such club so that they can start utilizing their creative skills in the subject of Digital Arts.
  • Encourage your child to do drawing: During pre-school, you should encourage your kids to draw or paint and expand their imagination. Drawing is very helpful for the kids as it not only boosts their confidence but also improves their motor skills. It also makes them inclined towards digital arts when they grow up. The same thing is applicable for teachers who can push the child towards getting better at his art work.
  • Display your child’s art work: There are many online platforms where you can display and promote your child’s work of digital art. A number of websites have digital museums where digital art works of kids can be uploaded by the parents and teachers for everyone to view. Positive feedback will motivate your child to take up a career in this field.
  • Introduce your children to comics: Comics are a great way of introducing your children to storytelling and churning their creative juices. They help the kids develop visual literacy and aid them in understanding a story by joining visual elements. This is an intrinsic aspect of digital arts where you have to convey something through your designs and illustrations.
We, at Boys & Girls Clubs Of Central Texas, offer various digital arts programs for kids of different age groups. For more information, call at (254) 699 – 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B, Killeen, TX – 76541.