Our knowledge of early childhood development tells us that physical activity plays a fundamental role in intellectual maturity in the process of child development. That’s why at Little Steps, we organize various types of additional activities through which children develop their talents, interests, culture, and healthy bodies.
Our out of class activities are a paid form of education, as registration for them is at the parent’s discretion and choice, based on the child’s interests and age.
Football develops high motor activity in children, and with the emotions it generates, it is interesting and accessible to all children. This sport promotes teamwork, teaches tolerance and self-control. Each football session includes warm-up, basic, and concluding parts. In the main part, children perform game exercises. In the basic part, they practice elementary technical skills such as ball handling, straight and inner shots, stopping and catching the ball, shots at goal, as well as playing football. In the concluding part, they perform penalties and stretching exercises.
Swimming sports develop the child’s body as comprehensively as possible – from building motor and respiratory culture to forming healthy musculature. Swimming strengthens the child’s immunity, expands the chest, and harmoniously develops the musculature. Team spirit creates communication skills and introduces discipline to the young swimmer. The main focus in swimming training is getting used to the water. Depending on their abilities, children swim independently, with a board, or floats. Training starts with dry exercises, followed by practicing elements in the water – crawl, diving, breathing in water, and coordination of crawl and backstroke.
Ballet is an excellent way to initially develop correct posture, coordination, excellent balance, and motor habits. It teaches children gracefulness, an elegant manner of movement, and accustoms them to disciplined behavior. Ballet art initiates the ability to assert oneself and express beauty through movement. It satisfies children’s aesthetic sensibility through harmonious music and graceful movements. In children’s classes, basic foot and arm positions and body postures are learned.
“Fun Mathematics” is an activity that exercises and reinforces children’s abilities to practically apply, in an innovative and interactive way, all the skills that accompany their development. Through the games, we will develop fine and gross motor skills, spatial orientation, hand-eye coordination, logical thinking, sequence, and imagination, because children’s hands are the golden key that unlocks the secrets of the surrounding world and awakens their minds. Mathematical games will improve concentration and attention, prepare children for the world of competitive mathematics, boost their mood, and recharge them with positive energy for the whole day.
The main goal of the activities will be to develop the children’s stage freedom, presence, imagination, and individuality through dramatization of fables, fairy tales, movement, and music. Acting skills unlock a range of qualities, and through play and fun, children learn to improvise, react in different circumstances/situations set by the teacher, which gives them the freedom to express themselves in public settings. Diction is also developed, and through working with music and songs, musicality increases – along with movement and dance. Children also learn to work as a team in a constructive way, partnering with their friends on stage. Dance, singing, and acting are combined into one, giving the child a set of skills to become a well-rounded performer on stage.
In these classes, children have the opportunity to get acquainted with and practice Bulgarian folk dances as part of our country’s culture and traditions. Here they study their first dance steps, strive to achieve synchrony, and gain a sense of the collective spirit of dance.
Active games and gymnastics are designed to acquaint children with motor culture and a healthy lifestyle in a pleasant and safe environment. Suitable exercises for each age are included, increasing strength, balance, flexibility, and coordination in the growth process, while improving listening skills, attention retention, and the ability to follow instructions. For this stage of child development, we have created special programs that will help the child redirect and transform their energy into creative development.
Taekwondo teaches quick reactions during games, respect for others, and also recognition of one’s own strengths and weaknesses. Through training, children unknowingly develop numerous mental qualities such as will, perseverance, concentration, combativeness, as well as the ability to react appropriately in difficult situations. The sessions not only increase their flexibility but also serve as an important prerequisite for strengthening their bodies and, last but not least, as a barrier to the development of musculoskeletal diseases. Taekwondo aims to increase physical capabilities, improve mental discipline and emotional balance, teach us self-defense, develop a sense of responsibility towards ourselves and others. The Taekwondo training program further develops the nervous-muscular apparatus, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and endocrine systems, coordination, concentration, plasticity, and discipline in children. Sessions are conducted by Senior Coach Dimitar Mihaylov – 4th Dan, who is a multiple republican champion, medalist of European student championships, and of various international tournaments.
The UPSTAIRS Project – Transition to Primary School, No. 2022-1-HR01-KA220-SCH-000089643 focuses on supporting professionals working in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC).
The project’s aim is to transform the transition to primary school from a stressful period into a creative experience, fostering happy, confident children who can collaborate effectively with their peers by:
The UPSTAIRS project plans to undertake a wide range of activities grouped into five work packages:
The project aims to deliver the following results over two years (2022–2024):
The project includes eight partners from seven countries:
Follow us for more information: https://transition2primary.eu/
