What 4 Year Olds Learn in Socatots Classes
At four, children are ready to put their foundational skills into practice. Sessions focus on consolidating and stretching the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional skills built in earlier phases:
| Development Area | Key Skills Enhanced |
|---|---|
| Physical/Motor Skills | Balance, Coordination, Movement, Speed |
| Cognitive Skills | Numeracy, Speech, Pattern Recognition, Listening |
| Social-Emotional Skills | Teamwork, Communication, Confidence, Self-Esteem |
At this age, children begin working on ball control in the air, juggling technique, and keeping their head up during footwork – all skills that build good football habits early and translate directly into school PE and playing for local football teams.
The Benefits of Football for 4 Year Olds
The main benefit of football for a 4 year old is that it stops being about discovering the basics and starts being about applying them. And in doing so it develops the focus, perseverance and self-belief a child carries straight into school. At four, children can concentrate for noticeably longer and follow more complex, multi-step instructions, and a session gives that developing attention span a genuine workout. Listening to a sequence of commands, holding it in mind and carrying it out is exactly the kind of focus the classroom will soon ask of them, practised here in a setting they find fun rather than demanding.
Four is also the age where effort starts to pay off in a way children can feel. The skills at this stage – juggling, controlling the ball in the air, keeping their head up while dribbling – are hard, and they don’t come on the first try. Working at something tricky, not getting it right away, and gradually improving teaches your child that practice brings progress. Learning to stick with a challenge and to take a missed attempt in their stride is one of the most valuable things football offers at this age, and it builds a resilience that reaches far beyond the pitch.
And because a four year old can now genuinely do things well, the confidence they gain is real and grounded. This isn’t the fleeting thrill of a single success but a steady sense of being capable and of being someone who can learn a hard skill and pull it off. That kind of self-belief is exactly what helps a child walk into a new classroom, a new group or a new challenge, feeling ready for it.
How Classes Are Structured for 4 Year Olds
At four years olds, your child is at the point at which skills developed across our earlier phases all begin to come together. In these sessions, the football aspects are increased and they will be doing passing, receiving, dribbling, juggling and balances. The children will focus on three parts of their feet each week, for example insides, soles and laces and all of the activities will revolve around using those three parts.
A key feature of this phase is small group work. Children start working with their peers in structured activities, which builds teamwork and social confidence alongside their physical and technical development. Teaching teamwork is an important part of their development:
“Encouraging teamwork in the early years offers numerous benefits for children. It helps them learn how to collaborate, enhances their speaking and listening skills, fosters a sense of responsibility and belonging, and much more. Working together toward a common goal also enables children to build friendships and gain a deeper understanding of themselves and others.”
– What is the importance of teamwork in childcare?, Twinkl
The group activities they do at our classes will also mirror the social dynamics they are encountering at school for the first time which makes these sessions especially well-timed.
Despite the shift toward group work, we continue to take an individualised approach with every child. Coaches identify where each child needs extra support and ensure they can celebrate their progress. And parents remain an active part of every session through encouraging your child, demonstrating activities alongside them, and being present as they navigate new challenges. This will all help to build their confidence and the strength of your bond with each other.
Who Runs The Classes
All Socatots classes are delivered by FDS UK qualified coaches — either the franchisee or coaches trained by FDS UK Leadership. Every coach holds the following:
- DBS qualified
- UKCFDS qualified
- First Aid trained
- Insured
The Lasting Impact Beyond the Football Classes
Children who have come through the Socatots programme consistently stand out in school PE lessons and on grassroots football teams. Parents tell us their children are ahead of expected milestones not just in football, but in how they listen, cooperate, and carry themselves around other children.
Taking part in sport from a young age will also help your child to stay active throughout their life:
“Positive experiences [in sport] at an early age help build the foundations for an active life. If children and young people have experiences that feel fun, positive and give them a sense of confidence, they’re more likely to want to be active in the future.”
– Children and young people, Sport England
Whether your child has ambitions to be like Curtis Jones or Lauren Hemp, or simply wants to enjoy sport and feel confident doing it, the skills they build at four will stay with them well into school and beyond.
Kids football for 4 year olds FAQs
Get answers to some frequently asked questions for 4 year olds
How long are the football classes for 4 year olds?
Our classes for 4 year olds are 45 minutes long.
Which football class is best for my 4 year old?
We break our age groups down into phases and, at 4 years old, your child will be in our third and final phase – Mastering Footwork.
Who is running the classes?
The classes have to be run by FDS UK qualified coaches. This could be the franchisee or coaches trained by FDS UK Leadership.
Can girls attend the classes?
Yes, of course! Some franchisees run girls only classes.
How do parents actively participate in SOCATOTS?
Parents act as individual coaches to the children, encouraging them, demonstrating to them and helping them how to take part in our unique activities and games (under the guidance of a qualified coach).
What kind of equipment is used in the classes?
These classes use a variety of age appropriate props to help children develop. These include domes, dice and hoops as well as our specially designed Socatots footballs and nursery rhymes.
Can siblings take part in classes?
We recommend that franchisees have a sibling policy that encourages sibling participation, but only within the relevant age groups and with one guardian/carer per child.
Can I pay by cash?
No, the only way we accept payment from customers is via the booking system.
Am I tied into SOCATOTS classes for a certain period?
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?
The monthly payment guarantees you and your child a place in the class chosen for twelve months worth of classes, some months have more than others but it all equals out over a 12 month period. Within a 12 month period we offer 41 classes, and this is what customers are paying for.
Do I have to buy the SOCATOTS kit?
Yes, this is a mandatory purchase, we like everyone to look the same in their kit. It’s a feeling of belonging to a team and the children look great! It’s potentially a one off purchase, and we suggest buying the size one up so that the kit can last longer. Some children only go through two kits their whole time with us at Socatots. You have 4 weeks to purchase the kit, otherwise your space will be given to someone else.
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. 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?
We have over 90 classes in the UK, Ireland and the Channel Islands. Head here to find your local class.
Book Your 4-Year-Old a FREE Football Taster Session
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!