Sometime ago Hillary Friedman, a sociologist at the University of Princeton, ran research to check why parents are signing their children up for competitive afterschool activities that are very time and energy consuming. It turned that parents didn’t necessary wanted the children to become the next champion in the given activity, they wanted them to be in the competitive environment to create a drive for success. To enhance that they were using a system of rewards for the children to made them go and do the activities. The children, on the other hand, were happy to make new friends but not happy when they needed to compete with the friends in the competitions. 

What do we think about competitiveness?

We’re a bit torn apart about that because I see the good in competitiveness, like the desire to be better and the discipline to achieve goals. However, I also see the bad in competitiveness as it looks like setting our children on the winning mode may cause some serious stress in life if they ask themselves “What happen if there will be a person better than me?”. That may turn to question if they should be active at all if they can’t win? Where is the happiness of being active in it then? 

What to do then?

We challenge participants to get better and better with every training because at Axé Boom Boom we work intensively to attract children and young people to be active for life. Often those who do not succeed in mainstream competitive sports drop out of PE classes and afterschool sport activities entirely in high school. We’re here to show them that they can stay active and ripe all the benefits of that lifestyle for life.

Solution

Capoeira is a great activity and one that can positively impact the physical as well as mental wellbeing of your child. We run classes in Edinburgh during school year and welcome children from the age of 4 and 5. Check out our classes schedule here. Capoeira is an empowering, non-competitive alternative to traditional sports that appeals to parents and children who seek a more holistic approach to physical and mental development.

Parents feedback:

It’s a wonderful combination and appears to have been led in a very accommodating way. Fun and learning held in a well-contained, safe environment with good leadership. My daughter loved it!

– Dad of 5 years old student

My child came out of class very happy. Kids seem to have fun and it is good for this age. She likes the mix of music and exercise.
– Dad of 7 years old student

The kids really enjoyed it and one of my boys actually fell asleep at a reasonable time. He has suspected ADD and he’s normally takes 2-3hrs to fall asleep but was asleep by 8:30pm last night! They both really enjoyed it. We have done classes before but they’ve struggled with them and ended up not liking it. We tried dance, football etc. but this one was so unique blending movement and music together so the kids like it a lot.
– Mum of 4 years old and 5 years old students

We look forward to meeting you in class.

Keep training,

Kasia & Grześ