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Importance Of Indoor Games For Kids

15. Julie 2019 Administrator Blog (0)
Playing games is vital to ensure overall development of kids. However, in today’s world, children are surrounded by smart gadgets and computers, which spares them few time for outdoor games. Thus, indoor games such as ball pools, jigsaw puzzles, trampolines, ping pong, balancing beams, treasure hunt, etc. offer a great alternative for encouraging children to play actively within a safe environment and motivate them to build strong bond with their peers and family members.

Listed below are some benefits of engaging children in indoor games:

  • Physical Fitness: The most beneficial aspect of indoor games for kids is that indoor games improve body movements and fitness. The games help in keeping kids healthy, sharpen a child’s reflexes and develop fast-twitch muscles.
  • Safety: Indoor games provide a safe and comfortable environment for children to play. The controlled environment of home or a club reduces the risk of injuries as there is no traffic, stones, etc. Also, indoor games allow children to play irrespective of weather conditions i.e. extremely hot, cold or rain.
  • Better Coordination: Playing indoor games like table-tennis, badminton, ping-pong, etc. helps children in developing hand-eye coordination. These games also boost agility, responsiveness, power of judgement and body reflexes. Additionally, children develop cognitive skills that help them in maintaining good physical and mental health.
  • Creativity: When kids are allowed to play in a safe and secure environment without intervention by adults, they develop creative and imaginative skills. Indoor games provide them an opportunity to explore things at their own pace, question their surroundings, figure out solutions to given situations, learn from their peers, etc. This boosts the confidence level of kids and encourages them to trust their skills.
  • Social Skills: Indoor games require children to play in groups and encourage them to communicate among themselves. Thus, kids learn to express their ideas, formulate strategies, work as a team, help one another, etc. Such acts boost their social skills which may be helpful in their life.
  • Adaptable Environment: The environment for playing indoor games can be easily adapted to suit climatic conditions, number of players, kids with special needs and certain other factors.
  • Learning: Indoor games provide an opportunity for children to learn life lessons and develop skills such as a positive attitude, being balanced in the face of success and failure, discipline, decision-making, the value of time and much more.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas organize various programs to help kids develop their skills and maintain physical health. To know more about the importance of indoor games for kids, visit 304 W Ave B Killeen, TX – 76541. You can also call at (254) 699 - 5808.

Tips To Improve Interpersonal Skills

28. Junie 2019 Administrator Blog (0)
It is important for children to develop interpersonal skills for enjoying healthy relationships and achieving success as adults. Interpersonal skills teach kids how to be cordial when interacting with their peers at school and in social environment. Some key interpersonal skills that should be inculcated in children are conflict management, persuasion, mannerisms, listening skills, assertiveness, decision making and so on.

Listed below are some simple ways to polish and improve inter-personal skills in children:

  • Foster A Positive Outlook: Interpersonal skills are directly related to the way you feel about yourself and those around you. Children should be taught to look at the positive aspects of situations around them and find a way to cherish their life.
  • Practice Empathy: Children should be trained to be observant of the emotions of people around them. This will make them sensitive, caring and helpful individuals. They should be taught to be respectful to others, use words like “please” & “thank you”, and not to indulge in behavior that is socially unacceptable like bullying or name-calling.
  • Practice Active Listening: Being a good listener is one of the most important inter-personal skills that should be fostered in children. They should be taught the importance of listening to what others have to say irrespective of whether they agree with what is being said or not. An easy way of inculcating this habit is by setting a good example as a parent by actively listening to what your child has to say.
  • Problem Solving: Encourage your child to solve problems without your assistance. This approach helps the child in developing confidence to handle difficult situations as an adult both at work and at home.
  • Decision Making: Let your child make independent decisions during everyday situations. As time goes by, your child will learn how to evaluate the pros and cons of a situation and make a decision accordingly.
  • Be A Good Role-Model: Children learn best by observation; so model the interpersonal skills that you want your child to imbibe. It is important to avoid loud arguments, maintain a positive attitude, manage your problems, show kindness, etc. to help your child mirror these behaviors.  
  • Assertiveness: Teach your child to use the right amount of assertiveness when voicing his desires, ideas and beliefs. This trains a child to stand up for his rights or the rights of others in a calm and positive way without being aggressive. Assertiveness helps a child to express himself better, handle responsibilities, admit mistakes, apologize, practice self-control etc.
  • Non-Verbal Communication: Teach your child to read non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, body language, tone of voice, smiles, nods, eye contact, etc., while communicating.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas organize an array of programs to assist children in developing interpersonal skills. To know more about programs offered by the club in Killeen, call at (254) 699 - 5808. You can also visit Boys & Girls Clubs of Central, 304 W Ave B Killeen, TX – 76541.

Skills That Every Kid Must Have To Be Successful

17. Mei 2019 Administrator Blog (0)
In today’s competitive world, it has become imperative that we introduce kids to various skills that will help them in becoming successful. Since, it is easier to learn new skills at childhood; thus, it is the best time to inculcate these abilities.

Following is a list of some essential skills that every kid should be taught for a successful future:

  • Communication Skills: It is important to clearly convey your ideas and thoughts to your team members at a work place. Thus, effective oral and written communication skills are precursors to a successful work-life as adults. The basics of good communication can be introduced in childhood by teaching formal vocabulary, art of listening & asking questions, empathy, non-verbal gestures, encouraging introspection, etc.
  • Technological Skills: In this digital age, being skilled at using technology is a key obligation. Children should be introduced to the basics of technology at an early age with emphasis on computer tools that are a general requirement at modern work places.
  • Adaptive Thinking: In today’s volatile world, a new technology or invention is rolled out every day resulting in the demand for a new skill. Thus, kids should be taught to be flexible to this change, be open to new learning opportunities, adopt positive interpretations of a situation, manage stressful situations and keep up their tolerance level when learning a new skill.    
  • Teamwork And Collaboration: Kids should be trained to work in interconnected environments such as a team. This will teach them essential leadership skills as well as encourage them to pay heed to other’s point of view and analyze a problem to find solutions that benefit the whole team.
  • Critical Thinking Skills: Organizations strive to constantly improve their products & services. So, modern work places appreciate employees who ask questions to get to the bottom of a problem, analyze a situation and consider innovative ways to do a regular task. For helping your kids be successful in this scenario, foster curiosity and critical thinking in them for developing their skill to analyze a situation for alternate and novel solutions.
  • Initiative: To be successful in a competitive work environment, it is important to encourage children to take initiative instead of shying away from new situations and opportunities. This skill helps them in overcoming their fear of losing and promotes their enthusiasm to learn new things.
  • Soft Skills: Soft skills like being organized, time-management, assertive communication, etc. are instrumental in framing your child as a successful adult.
Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Texas offer various programs such as Goals for Growth, Junior Staff, Youth of the Year, etc. for developing different skills among children aged 6-18 years. To know more about developing necessary skills in kids, call at (254) 699 - 5808 or visit 304 W Ave B Killeen, TX - 76541.

Ways To Improve Critical Thinking Skills In Kids

16. April 2019 Administrator Blog (0)
Critical thinking refers to the ability to observe, imagine, analyze, reflect, experience and evaluate information. It involves thinking independently and formulating your own opinions irrespective of outside influence.

Critical thinking is a crucial life skill for children and is becoming increasingly essential in this fast-changing technological era. The skill encourages children to question facts and analyze information. Here are some ways in which critical thinking skills can be developed in children:

  • Encourage Free Play: Free play develops critical thinking by encouraging a child to evaluate the cause and effect of certain actions. They should be provided enough outdoor and indoor space to play uninhibited. This would give them a chance to explore the world around them and form a judgement without interference of an adult.
  • Refrain From Intervening: It is tempting to intervene and help your child come up with an answer to something that is puzzling them. However, one should resist the urge to do so and let their child work towards developing their critical thinking abilities. So, next time your child is trying to figure out the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of a situation, pause for a few seconds before telling them the answer.
  • Encourage Them To Ask Questions: Open ended questions are the best answers to your child’s questions. Instead of providing your children with an instant answer to their questions, help them think critically by asking questions and let your child predict the outcome of any problem at hand.
  • Do Not Micromanage: If your child is stuck in a situation, let him try to figure out a possible solution of a problem by thinking on his own instead of managing the situation yourself. This will stimulate the formation of new neural connections in the brain and develop confidence in one’s capabilities.
  • Use Puzzle Games: Puzzle games such as brainteasers, riddles, word games, math games and so on help in improving child’s critical thinking abilities. Ensure that your child indulges in such games whenever possible e.g. while waiting at a restaurant, while travelling, at a picnic etc.
  • Role Playing: Role playing is believed to be one of the best ways of encouraging kids to think critically. Embodying the persona and characteristics of another puts a child’s analytical and creative mind at work.
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.