The sun was shining brightly at 8:00 Saturday morning for the last kindergarten soccer practice of the four-practice season. The day was a considerable improvement over day one of the season when my niece spent the majority of the practice clinging to my leg. Even so, we walked to each skill station along with our assigned group of ten pony tails and crew cuts. We weren’t alone. Other parents were also doing the cling-walk around the field with their little ones hanging on.
The next practice was a considerable improvement. Mom pitched in and we were able to engage my niece in some passing practice. When it came to the skill stations though, she was only willing to play with mom, not the other children. We considered it a successful day. The third practice was a resounding success. Our little one actually played with other children and even agreed to get on the field to participate in the ending scrimmage. The pony tails were assigned their positions and the game began. It didn’t take long for the parents to realize that three little ponytails were not moving. They had been shown their positions and they were standing firm. Parents on the sidelines were able to convince one of them to chase the ball along with the other children, but two held fast, including my niece.
So Saturday was the last practice and the final scrimmage. My niece again took her position, and true to form, held it fast for the duration of play. And along with everyone else she got to leave the field with her very own soccer ball. Next episode – basketball?
Ponytails and crewcuts has such voice to it. What a neat way to describe the kids.
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You've captured so much in your story - the essence of the children and the experience for the adults, the "lessons" of the day/or month, and a little snapshot of Kindergarten soccer.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I coached t-ball when our sons were 5 and 6. I remember the outfielders picking flowers while they waited for a ball to come their way!
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