What Babies Learn in Our Football Classes From 6 Months
Six months old is the earliest age a child can join the Socatots programme. Research consistently shows that the earlier children are exposed to structured movement and play, the stronger their physical and cognitive foundations become:
“Early childhood is a critical period for physical, cognitive, and psychosocial development and serves as a foundation stage for establishing an active lifestyle. During this time, acquiring fundamental movement skills (FMS) and promoting cognitive function are crucial. Enhanced physical activity during this phase can yield lasting benefits for motor skills and cognition throughout childhood. Recent research underscores the links between advanced FMS, cognition, and improved health outcomes for young children, such as reduced body mass index and better cardiorespiratory fitness.”
– Effects of physical activity interventions on fundamental movement skills and cognitive function in early childhood: A systematic review and network meta-analysis, Science Direct
At this stage, every activity is designed for non-walkers. Sessions focus on:
| Development Area | Key Skills Enhanced |
| Physical/Motor Skills | Coordination, leg movement, learning to sit, balance |
| Cognitive Skills | Counting basics, pattern recognition, language and speech |
| Social-Emotional Skills | Communication, confidence, personality development |
The Benefits of Football for 6 Month Olds
The biggest benefit of football for a 6 month old is that a ball gives shape and purpose to the movement babies need most in their first year. A ball is one of the most engaging things you can place in front of a pre-walker – it rolls, it reacts, and it naturally invites a baby to reach, track and push towards it. That pull turns tummy time, crawling and early leg work, which are exactly the kind of activity recommended for under-ones, into something your baby actively wants to do.
Physically, ball play helps strengthen the coordination and muscle control a baby relies on to sit, crawl and eventually stand. Reaching for and following a moving ball supports visual tracking and early hand-eye and foot-eye coordination, while the gentle encouragement to use their legs builds the core stability and lower-limb strength that walking is later built on.
There is a cognitive benefit too. As covered above, structured movement in early childhood is closely linked to developing cognition. When a baby watches a ball move, anticipates where it will go and responds to it, they are practising early cause-and-effect and pattern recognition which are the very first building blocks of problem-solving.
Just as valuable is the time you spend together. Because you take part as your baby’s personal coach, each session is thirty minutes of focused, screen-free, face-to-face play. This is a simple but powerful way to bond while your baby learns. And by making activity fun from the very beginning, football helps lay the groundwork for a positive, lifelong relationship with being active.
How Classes Are Structured for 6 Month Olds
During the classes for 6 month olds, we will focus on fundamental movements, crawling and encourage each baby to begin using their lower limbs which will help them to develop faster. These fundamental movements like crawling are important because they hold many benefits:
“Crawling is a normal developmental skill that is very beneficial to aid the development of coordination, shoulder stability and core strength.”
– NHS, Northern Care Alliance
We encourage your baby to use their lower limbs by, each week, focusing on one part of the foot. For example the inside of the foot which is used for passing, chipping, shooting and curling in football. Or the toes which are used for stopping and steadying the ball.
Although your 6 month old won’t be doing any of these types of things just yet, all of the activities will revolve around using that part of the foot. And, as their parent or caregiver, you will be involved in each class and physically help to do each movement.
What Happens in Each Football Class for 6 Month Old
The sessions are structured to always allow free play for the first five minutes. This helps them to settle into the new environment which is particularly important if it is their first session or if your child is shy. Once the session starts properly, we do a short introduction, saying hello and learn everyone’s names, and then we do a warm up.
The middle part of the session is the technical section which consists of the dome, the skittles and the ball. The amount of activities that your child will do with the ball increases as they go up the phases. We then move on to a variable element which changes each week. It could be throwing and catching, some balance work or a game, with or without the ball.
Next, we do our cool down which helps to settle the children down before they leave. The session ends with your child getting a sticker, we do a debrief and then say goodbye.
At the sessions, you and your child will be able to meet, play and socialise with other similar age children and their parents.
Who Runs the Classes
All Socatots sessions are delivered by UKCFDS accredited coaches who undergo extensive training to meet the standards set and maintained by UKCFDS. Every coach holds:
- DBS qualified
- UKCFDS qualified
- First Aid trained
- Insured
Why Starting at 6 Months Matters
The children who begin their Socatots journey at 6 months arrive at each following phase with a significant head start. By the time they reach nursery and school age, they have years of structured movement, social interaction, and confidence-building behind them. This is important because daily movement is important for babies and young children:
“Your child should be as active as possible in their first years of life. Regular physical activity aids your child’s growth and development and general well-being. Even if your child isn’t walking yet, you can still help them to be active, encouraging them to crawl, having them on their back kicking their legs and tummy time.”
– How to keep your baby and toddler active, Video, NHS
Our classes will help to get your baby active, crawling and maybe even taking their first steps. Parents of children who started with us as babies regularly report that their children stand out in PE, adapt quickly to new social environments, and approach challenges with a level of self-assurance that makes a visible difference. The earlier the foundations are laid, the stronger everything built on top of them becomes.
Football Classes for 6 Month Olds FAQs
Get answers to some frequently asked questions for 6 month olds
How long are the football classes for 6 month olds?
Our classes for 6 month olds are 30 minutes long.
Which football class is best for my 6 month old?
We break our age groups down into phases and, at 6 months old, your child will be Phase 1 – Building Foundations. This is the starting point of the Socatots programme, focused on early motor development, coordination, and cognitive basics for non-walking babies.
Who is running the football classes for six month olds?
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.
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