A Pivotal Year for Physical Development
At this age, children are moving from pre-walker to taking their first tentative steps, beginning to form words, and rapidly building their capacity to engage with the world around them and with you.
“At 12 months old, toddlers like to interact with you and their surroundings. They are starting to decide where and on whom they focus their attention.”
– Developmental Milestones 12 Months (1 Year), KidsHealth
Our classes are designed to meet children exactly where they are in this process and to help them move through it with confidence. Our sessions develop skills across three areas:
| Development Area | Key Skills Enhanced |
| Physical/Motor Skills | Balance, coordination, movement, early ball familiarity |
| Cognitive Skills | Numeracy, speech, pattern recognition, listening |
| Social-Emotional Skills | Communication, confidence, cooperation |
The Benefits of Football for 1 Year Olds
The main benefit of football for a 1 year old is that it channels everything new and exciting happening at this age, like walking, talking, and a growing drive to do things for themselves, into one activity they can throw themselves into. A ball gives a newly mobile toddler a reason to move with purpose – to toddle after it, stop it, and try a first wobbly kick. Each attempt reinforces the balance and coordination that steady walking depends on, and turns unsteady early steps into confident ones.
Football is also a natural partner to the language explosion happening around the first birthday. Sessions are full of things to name and simple instructions to follow – “roll the ball,” “find the red dome,” “kick the ball” – which gives your child gentle, repeated practice at listening, understanding and responding. Bringing colours and numbers into ball play, as our Phase 2 sessions begin to do, links words to actions in a way that supports early speech and understanding.
Just as importantly, this is often a child’s first experience of doing something as part of a group. At 1 year old, toddlers are beginning to notice and enjoy the other children around them, and a class gives them a safe, familiar setting to play near their peers, take turns, and start to understand that activities have a beginning, a middle and an end. These are the very first foundations of cooperation and confidence in a group.
And because so much is attempted and re-attempted, a kick that misses, a ball that rolls away, football gently builds a toddler’s willingness to try, fail and try again, all with you right beside them as their coach.
How Classes are Structured for 1 Year Olds
When your child is 1 year old, they will be in between Phase 1 and Phase 2 of our football programme.
The Phase 1 sessions focus on fundamental movements, crawling and encourage each baby to begin using their lower limbs which will help them to develop faster. In this phase, we focus on one part of the foot each week. For example, the sole which is used to pass and control the ball in football.
The Phase 2 sessions focus on learning the basics of football, including passing and dribbling. We will also begin to work with your child to identify colours and numbers. Within this class, your child will focus on two of the six parts of the feet each week, for example the sole and heels. All of the activities will revolve around using those two parts of the feet.
If your child has not been with us since they were 6 months old, the coach will work out which phase is best for your child. It is really important that your child is in the right phase so they can learn at the right pace. Learning at their own pace is important for children:
“The importance of recognising different paces of learning in early years education cannot be overstated. Children develop at varying rates, and each has their own way of processing information and acquiring new skills. By acknowledging these differences, educators can create a more inclusive and supportive learning environment. This approach ensures that no child is left behind and that each one receives the individual attention they need to thrive.”
– Different Paces of Learning in Early Years, Happy Chalet
No matter what phase your child ends up in, you, the parent or caregiver, will act as an individual coach for your child, being guided by the Socatots coach, and helping your child to do all the activities.
What To Expect From Football Classes for 1 Year Olds
To help children feel comfortable in their surroundings, every session begins with five minutes of supervised free play. This is vital for allowing toddlers to adjust to the environment, particularly if they are naturally shy or attending for the first time. We then transition into a formal introduction where we greet one another and learn everyone’s names. This is followed by a light physical warm-up.
The technical portion forms the core of the session, utilizing the ball, skittles, and the dome. As your child progresses through the different phases, the number of ball-based activities will gradually increase. This is followed by a rotating variable element that changes weekly, such as balance exercises, throwing and catching, or various games played with or without the ball.
The session ends with a cool-down period, where we use beanbags and parachutes, to help the children settle before departing. After a final debrief and a friendly goodbye, every child is rewarded with a sticker for their hard work.
Who Runs the Football Classes for One Year Olds
All Socatots sessions are delivered by UKCFDS accredited coaches, each of whom undertakes extensive training to meet the standards set by UKCFDS. Every coach holds:
- DBS qualified
- UKCFDS qualified
- First Aid trained
- Insured
Building a Love of Movement That Lasts
One of the most important things a 1 year old can develop isn’t a specific skill, it’s a good relationship with physical activity. Children who grow up enjoying movement are significantly more likely to remain active into adulthood, with lasting benefits for both physical and mental health.
“Children should have 60 minutes of physical activity per day according to recommendations. Many do not meet them.This can have lasting effects, as physical inactivity in childhood is linked to less activity in adulthood. Children that are more physically active are also more likely to be active as adults. One longitudinal study following 712 World War Two veterans for 50 years found that participation in sports at high school was the strongest predictor for better health outcomes at 70, as well as being more physically active in older years. Those who played sports also had fewer visits to the doctor.”
– Why moving is key for children’s health – and happiness, BBC
Our classes will help your child to see that physical activity can be fun and a place where they will be supported and encouraged. This will set them up to lead a healthy, happy life.
Football Classes For 1 Year Olds FAQs
Get answers to some frequently asked questions for 1 year olds
How long are the football classes for 1 year olds?
Our classes for 1 year olds are typically 30 minutes long.
Which football class is best for my 1 year old?
We break our age groups down into phases and, at 1 years old, your child will be in Phase 1 (non-walkers) or Phase 2.
“Once children are walking, they can begin to develop their physical skills further in the areas of coordination, balance and agility. Using the basic skills of ball control acquired during the early sessions with Socatots, toddlers begin to progress rapidly, applying the balance they have already developed to control the ball in the air in new ways.”
Paul Darton, Head Coach
Who is running the classes?
All our classes are run by qualified UKCFDS accredited coaches.
Every coach undertakes extensive training to ensure that they are able to deliver classes to the high standard expected and maintained by UKCFDS.
For more information please contact us.
How do parents actively participate in SOCATOTS?
As a parent you will be involved throughout the class.
You act as your toddler’s personal coach, encouraging them, demonstrating to them and helping them take part under the guidance of a qualified coach.
What kind of equipment is used in the classes?
Our football classes use a variety of age-appropriate equipment to help your child develop.
Equipment includes domes, dice and hoops as well as our specially designed SOCATOTS footballs.
We even have our own SOCATOTS sound track!
You do not need to purchase equipment, as everything you need will be provided in the class, however if you want to continue the fun at home, equipment can be purchased from our online store.
Can siblings take part in classes?
Yes, siblings are welcome to take part!
Each child will need to be enrolled in the class that’s age-appropriate for them.
If siblings are in the same class then you may need to bring someone along to help as we advise having one parent or guardian in the class per child.
Can I pay by cash?
We only accept payment via card.
To sign up, please find a class and follow the links to ‘Book Now’, which will take you to our booking portal.
Am I tied into SOCATOTS classes for a certain period?
No, you can cancel at any time.
We just ask for one calendar month’s notice.
Cancellations are actioned on the customer portal.
Once the cancellation button has been clicked by you, the customer, one final payment will be required to be taken before the account is closed.
Is the monthly payment for 4 sessions a month / 1 session per week?
Classes are typically run during school terms with a few extra classes over the summer.
Please check your class details within our booking portal for a full breakdown of class dates.
Your monthly subscription guarantees you and your child a place in the class for as long as you are a member.
To keep things simple, we keep the subscription amount the same each month but some months will occasionally contain slightly more classes than others.
Do I have to buy the SOCATOTS kit?
Yes, it is a requirement for all children to wear the official SOCATOTS kit in class within 4 weeks of starting.
Wearing the same kit promotes a feeling of belonging to the SOCATOTS team.
Kit can be purchased here.
You do not need to purchase equipment, as this is all provided during the classes, however, if you wish to continue the fun at home, equipment can also be purchased from our online store.
Can I make up for missed sessions if I am away?
Yes, providing there is space on the alternative session you would like to attend this will usually be possible, but is at the discretion of your coach.
Please discuss with your coach which sessions have spaces free and you can double up or change for that particular week.
We do not offer refunds for missed sessions.
Where is my nearest class?
Head here to find your local class.
Book a FREE Football Taster Session for Your 1-Year-Old
Book your free taster session at your local SOCATOTS training centre now. Enter your postcode or location below and see where your closest centre is.
Your first session is FREE – book now!