Out of School Activities....
It’s 3.30pm and the school bell chimes for the final time of the day. So what happens next? As children scurry out of class with school satchels tightly clutched in hand, inevitably they will drift off in a number of different directions. With so many extra-curricular activities on offer, each breeding and developing a range of useful life skills, choosing the right direction for your child can be a challenge.
A poll conducted by Save the Children last year conclusively identified that children who develop a special interest outside of school benefit from improved confidence and self esteem. Thankfully, there’s an enormous number of after school activities a child can pursue - here’s a sample of some of the most popular...
UNIFORM GROUPS
The Boys’ Brigade - one for the boys:
The Boys’ Brigade has 34 different groups operating within local communities in the city of Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian Council areas. The groups offer varied programmes of activities for boys aged from 6 to 18 within a caring and Christian context. The Anchor boys are for Primary 2-3, Juniors for Primary 4-6, Company Section from Primary 7 to Secondary 6, with Seniors from aged 15-18 having a special place in its Company Sections. For further information on these groups and activities contact 0131 551 1200 or email office@thebb-edinburgh.org.uk; alternatively have a look at www.thebb-edinburgh.org.uk
Scouting:
Today, there are well over 28 million Scout members in over 216 countries and the World Scout Movement still continues to expand. Delivered in five age groups, called Sections, these are divided into Beaver Scouts for children aged 6-8 years, Cub Scouts for 8-10½ years, Scouts for 10½-14 years and Explorer Scouts for 14-18 years. For more info go to www.scouts-scotland.org.uk or call 01383 419073
Guiding Groups:
Girl-guiding is the UK's largest voluntary organisation for girls with about 575,000 members. Girls are grouped by age into Sections: Rainbows (ages 5-7); Brownies (ages 7-10) and Guides (age 10-14), Senior Section (age 14 - 26). For more info go to www.girlguidingscotland.org.uk or call 0131 226 4511.
KIDS SPORTS
Football: Soccer schools aim to encourage fair play, friendship and promote healthy competition in the sport. For more go to www.thescottishfa.com
Rugby: In primary schools, ‘Tag’ Rugby is used as the official introduction to the game. Go to www.scottishrugby.org
Athletics: Athletics offers a perfect mix of individual challenges, with clearly defined goals. Children with competitive attitudes but who also possess a sense of fair play will flourish in athletics. Go to www.scottishathletics.org.uk
Martial Arts: Most martial art disciplines are centred on a tradition of training for combat and a series of graded practices that command self discipline and respect for others as well as increasing fitness and building mental character. Go to www.bnmaa.co.uk
Gymnastics: Gymnastics offers a total body conditioning workout, helping to build strong muscles and bones, increasing bone density. With their natural flexibility, children have a natural affinity to gymnastics. Go to www.scottishgymnastics.com
Swimming: Regular swimming builds stamina, muscle strength and cardio-vascular fitness, plus it helps to improve poor levels of fitness. Outside school, many local pools run courses designed to enhance swimming performance. Go to www.scottishswimming.com
Fencing: Fencing Fun is a new company dedicated to introducing the sport of Fencing to primary school children. Fencing Fun deliver structured classes that offer a mixture of games, balance and mobility exercises, sword skills and controlled matches to help children understand this Olympic sport and improve their co-ordination, speed and timing. The children will also develop their confidence and self-discipline. Fencing provides an outlet for children to channel their physicality into sport, helps powers of observation and problem solving skills and most importantly provides a fun and safe introduction to this exciting Olympic sport.
The fencing equipment that is used is specifically designed for primary school children such as foam and plastic swords. And the plastic masks (that conform to British Safety standards) are lighter and easier to use than a traditional fencing kit. All of Fencing Fun’s expert coaches are fully qualified through British Fencing, have enhanced checks from Disclosure Scotland and hold Emergency First Aid qualifications. For details call 07764 685520 or go to www.fencingfun.co.uk
PERFORMING ARTS FOR CHILDREN
Drama for kids: Drama allows children to think in a creative way, to solve problems, and to use the type of effective communication skills that get the point across. For more go to www.lamda.org.uk
Dance for kids: Through dance, children learn about movement, expression and self-control. There is a huge variety of dance styles, and this should make it easier to find one that suits your child. For more go to www.rad.org.uk
High quality dance training with the Edinburgh Ballet - Edinburgh Ballet is a young and exciting dance school offering high quality dance training from the age of 2 years old. Its main focus is classical ballet, which the dance school believes is the most fundamental of dance forms. Edinburgh Ballet also offers a combination of Modern/Jazz technique classes, for those already attending ballet classes. RAD Ballet Examinations are taken at the appropriate levels and all dancers are encouraged to take part in the annual performance - even the youngest! Regular theatre outings are held, allowing students to witness some of the best dance companies in the world. Registrations are taken throughout the year. Call to reserve your place on 07723-589-280, or alternatively email info@edinburgh-ballet.co.uk. You can also visit www.edinburgh-ballet.co.uk
Learn to Dance in a fun way at Dance Base - Dance Base, National Centre for Dance in the Grassmarket has a programme of classes for everyone aged one and up. Toddlers can dance with their parents and school age dancers can join the Mini Dance Academy and try out lots of different styles in one term. All Dance Base classes are non-competitive; it’s not about grades and exams but having fun with people the same age as you. You won’t find ballet, tap or modern there; Dance Base specialises in kids Street and Hip Hop and Breakdance. Book online at www.dancebase.co.uk or call 0131 225 5525
Music for kids: Music is a superb tool for controlling mood and lifting spirits, and learning the skill to play a musical instrument will eventually bring much enjoyment and satisfaction. For more go to www.abrsm.org
Life's cool after school with ELM - ELM School of Music offer private lessons in almost any instrument, as well as custom designed workshops for any age, in and out of school. They also regularly hold events such as concerts, competitions and courses. Instrumental lessons include piano, woodwind, strings, brass, percussion, and guitar. 2010-2011 has been a very successful year for ELM. The school held its 'First Annual Christmas Showcase' raising money for Clic Sargent, its first ever 'Competition Concert in aid of Marie Curie', and it held its first 'Summer Composition Course'. All events have been very successful and ELM can't wait for 2011-2012, where lots of exciting events have been planned such as the introduction of “Little Music Makers” workshops for 5-10 year olds later. For more information on any of the services or events contact Emma at www.elmschoolofmusic.com or on 07941 145187 or at elmschoolofmusic@gmail.com
Comprehensive music education with Portobello Music School - Formed in 2005, Portobello Music School provides comprehensive music education to around 300 children from pre-school age and upward from across Edinburgh and the Lothians. They run a Saturday morning music centre in Portobello for children and have recently begun new weekday classes at the state-of-the-art music education facility, CRE:8 at the nearby Jewel and Esk College. Portobello Music School offers a full range of instrumental classes as well as string, guitar, woodwind and rock/pop ensembles. To find out more and/or to enrol go to www.portobellomusicschool.com or call 0131 669 1120.
New Term in a new venue - Edinburgh Young Musicians starts its new term of Saturday morning classes on September 10th at its new venue, St. Thomas of Aquin’s High School, near Tollcross. Musical Play classes for children in their final pre-school year and P1 provide a general introduction to music, aiming to develop children’s sense of rhythm and pitch, listening skills, co-ordination and imagination, using a variety of activities, all presented as fun and games. Musical Workshop classes, for children in P2, have similar aims but also introduce children to the basic elements of reading music, and allow them to hear many different instruments played live, thereby facilitating their choice of which instrument, if any, they would like to learn themselves. For children who have completed the Musical Workshop year, there are beginners’ instrumental classes and a Junior Choir. String orchestras, choirs, recorder groups, chamber music and musicianship classes are open to older children with suitable musical experience. Go to www.e-y-m.org.uk or call 0131 226 3392.
EXTRA TUITION FOR CHILDREN:
To supplement school education, to keep children ‘up to speed’, and to help them in areas of difficulty, many parents look to extra tuition. Sometimes tuition prices may appear on the steep side but, on the whole, most parents really value the extra help and consider the money well spent as a wise long-term investment. Additional help and tuition can make a huge difference to a child’s confidence and this is often matched with an eagerness to learn more. Plus, during the course of individual or concentrated learning, certain traits or sources of concern may be identified, such as dyslexic tendencies, which can often be positively remedied using proven recognised techniques.
Transition Time: Back to school - The start of the school year is a mix of excitement and apprehension. Most children move onto a new teacher, relocation means some have moved schools and for others it is transition from primary to secondary. For some it is going back to a situation where they have to face peers with whom they may have issues. Kids NLP Scotland offers individual sessions where children need support to develop their self esteem, build their resilience, overcome anxieties or fears. For some this manifests itself in angry outbursts, in others quiet withdrawal. Sometimes they get caught in the loop of fall outs with friends, losing motivation and interest, or interrupted sleep patterns. Each child is an individual and the approach of Kids NLP Scotland is to address the impact of the underlying issue by helping the child to use their brain more skilfully. For more details go to www.kidsnlpscotland.co.uk or email Karen@kidsnlpscotland.co.uk or call 07837 930714
Improve Reading and Language skills with Kb-Insights - Karen, an experienced educationalist who worked as a successful Head Teacher, is now Director of Kb-Insights which is committed to providing innovative therapies which help both children and adults who are experiencing difficulties in learning. She is now adding a Fast ForWord programme to aid those finding reading and reading comprehension challenging.
With work carried out between neuroscientists and educationalists, Fast ForWord has developed programmes which build more efficient pathways in the brain. The exercises develop major cognitive skills and reading skills simultaneously to ensure enduring improvements in learning, helping children from age 6 to adults.
Follow this link to see and hear more about the science behind the learning www.alturl.com/j4na. To find out how this can improve your child’s language skills contact Karen on 07837 930714 or email Karen@kb-insights.co.uk or visit www.Kb-Insights.co.uk
Give your child a bright future with Kip McGrath - Kip McGrath Education Centres provide professional maths and English tuition that is motivational, fun and builds confidence. Tuition is delivered by fully qualified teachers, all of whom have experience of teaching in local schools and knowledge of the Curriculum for Excellence. The Centres cater for the educational needs of both primary and secondary students in a relaxed, quiet and friendly environment where children feel confident and secure. The high quality, unique Kip McGrath programme focuses on maths, English, reading, spelling and comprehension. Every child is tutored in a way that suits their individual learning style and meets their own particular needs. The 80 minute sessions involve the completion of 6 different multi-sensory activities, some of which involve a computer. As well as being enjoyable, this approach adds variety and maintains the interest of every child. For your nearest Kip McGrath Centre go to www.kipmcgrath.co.uk.
Also - did you know that according to research, a child’s emotional intelligence, IQ and ability to read can all be enhanced by learning another language? In addition to working with children to help them build solid foundations in English and Maths, the Kip McGrath Education Centre in Musselburgh is a centre for linguistic excellence, offering courses for adults and children. So if you would like to hear more about how you can boost your own or your child's self-esteem and build a brighter future through learning another language, contact Angela today on 0131 665 2202 for an informal chat or a free, no obligation assessment.
The balancing act of the school year - Now that the school year has started, children are finding themselves in the difficult situation of trying to balance homework and studying with extra-curricular activities.
“When students have too much on their plates, the school year can be an extremely stressful time, even for parents.”
“We hope we are able to help alleviate some of the pressure by offering a private, easy way to improve in any area of schoolwork”
Morag Miller is a former teacher with over 20 years teaching experience in Scottish schools. She now runs a Tutor Doctor franchise in Edinburgh, aiming to ensure studies are the last of a child's worries.
Home tutoring means a student is learning in their own house where they are relaxed and ready to grasp the information. The child receives the tutor's full attention and can stop the lesson at any point if there is something they don't understand.
“A child finds it so easy to learn with a tutor, mostly because they don't experience that fear, the fear of being seen to ‘not understand’ or appearing to be ‘smart’ in front of peers. They are at ease and eager to learn.”
For more information about receiving a free, no obligation consultation, contact Morag Miller at 07824 884558 or email: mmiller@tutordoctor.co.uk
CREATE AND CRAFT
Colouring, painting, sticking, drawing…..the list is endless!
Inspire your children’s artistic and creative side at Potter Around
Let them loose in this rural pottery painting and craft studio where they can try a number of crafts and express their creativity. The studio (at Overton Farm, Kirknewton, West Lothian) is open daily for anyone to drop in and paint pottery or try glass or canvas painting.
Kids Clubs are held on Fridays during term time from 1-3pm (age 5+) and on Saturdays from 10.30am – 12 noon (all ages) with a supervised craft session. Something different each week from pottery painting to glass painting; clay modelling to jewellery making, textiles to canvases. Knitting is making a big come back so why not learn this ancient skill? You can also try weaving; making beads out of almost anything to fashion your own jewellery; card making or designs on canvas as well as pottery painting. The Jewellery Club is on Sundays 1-5pm (age 4+) - enjoy searching the large selection of beads and learn how to make your own jewellery from simple elasticated bracelets to more complex charm and link bracelets, phone charms and earrings. All supervised sessions are £10 (with drink and snack).
Potter Around will also be running specialised sessions in clay modelling, glass making and mosaics - all with experts in their fields.
Check out www.potteraround.co.uk for dates and details or call 01506 238961.
FOR MORE IDEAS...
After school has finished for the day why not visit a local attraction? Or go for a family walk or bike ride? Or cook up something special at home? The possibilities are endless. Do remember to visit the web pages of Primary Times at www.primarytimes.net for plenty of other ideas.
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