While state tournaments are all the rage these days, it's important to remember that many of the athletes have their roots in entry-level programs similar to the Duluth Public Library's Kickstarter program for youth soccer players.
“It's so cute. I think it's one of my favorite days on the job,” said Carmela Hatch, early literacy coordinator.
Kickstarter Soccer is a non-competitive way to introduce soccer, the world's most popular sport, to children ages 18 months to 7 years old.
For the youngest group, it's not about the sport itself, but about drawing energy for both the child and the hopeful parents.
“I'm really happy,” said parent Amy Kinney of Duluth. “I have a lot of older kids as well, so it's great for the little kids to have something they can do that doesn't necessarily have to be a team, but once they get in and get their own moves, it's great. It’s like a limit.”
At such a young age, it's important to tap into that energy, but it's also important to start understanding how your body can move and feel during sports. For many people, this is the first time they have a ball in front of them and wonder what to do with it.
“This is a great way for kids to learn everything through play or just watching, and thinking about how they can navigate activities and learning how to do it themselves, not through movement or worksheets, but through standing up and standing up. I think this is a great example of how to learn how the body works.'' Move around. It’s great,” Hatch said.
Did you physically touch the ball?
“Oggy just wants to kick the ball,” Kinney said. “We've had flash cards and some really cool interactive stuff, but he just comes here for that physical thing.”
Or you can learn lessons that will help you in the future.
“Those things, like learning to cross the midline of the body and learning to coordinate side-to-side movements, actually translate into skills that they need to actually start learning, and all of those things as well,” Hatch says. he added. “The younger you can practice with them, the better.”
It's safe to say that the goal has been achieved, both literally and figuratively.