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Self isolation and social distancing can be a difficult challenge for anyone. Children, however, are especially impacted. Due to the current covid-19 pandemic, social distancing and isolation have become the new norm among households across the country. This can be scary for kids, especially when daily routines and schedules are affected. Explaining the current situation or trying to keep children in a routine of partial normalcy can be a difficult task. Let’s break down some physical and mental exercises to help make each day more manageable.

First and foremost, understanding that every child handles stress differently, and may react to the current crisis differently is important. Some children may only require some physical distractions or activities, while others may need some mindful practices to help reduce stress or anxieties. Here is a list of ideas to help tackle those obstacles.

Physical activities

Children require a certain level of physical activity in their daily routines. Staying active is a natural mood booster, can help improve self-esteem, and provide some fun during such a scary time. Let’s look at some fun physical activities children can enjoy both on their own or with the family.

Scavenger Hunt
Creating a list of either household items or items you can find outside is a great way to keep children engaged. Not only is this simply a fun activity, but you are encouraging the awareness and focus. A scavenger hunt can be loads of fun, adding an incentive for completing the scavenger hunt can add an extra competitive element. You can also take a scavenger hunt to the paths or trails. Going on a nature walk or hike can be essential during the current state. Getting outside and getting some fresh air will only benefit and adding a scavenger hunt will only encourage getting out and getting active.

Sports at home
This next suggestion is quite simple. As all sporting lessons and events are currently on pause. Maintaining routine using your child’s chosen sport or sports can reassure some normalcy for their routine. Simply grabbing a soccer ball, a hockey stick, a basketball, or whatever sporting equipment is at your disposal and practicing said sport, can keep children involved, dedicated, and active. Watching online classes Is also a great way to stay connected and involved in the sport.

Outside with the family
This next idea is also quite simple. Having a route to travel with the family is a great way to get outside but stay connected with each other. Going on a walk, a run, bike ride, rollerblade, whatever your thing is, can help encourage family time and time outside in the fresh air.

Pavement art
This suggestion requires more artistic interest. Using pavement chalk to make drawings or sidewalk games such as hopscotch can be fun for kids who like to be creative. Drawing or colouring inside is also an option weather permitting, but getting outside and creating a masterpiece is a great way to use their artsy bone and keep them creative.

Playdough or slime party
This next one can get messy…but is loads of fun for children. This is also more of a sensory activity for kids who like to be hands on. There are plenty of homemade slime or playdough recipes online, mostly using finds from your kitchen. Whatever the creation, they can also be kept for later use. Simply place your slime or play dough in a ziplock back or container to pull out later on for more sensory fun.

Dance party
This one is a crowd favourite. Blast some of your child’s favourite tunes, and burst out into a dance party. This is good physical activity but also tons of fun. Dancing it out is a great way to relieve stress and worry as well, dancing out the worry. Shaking it off. Grab your speaker and your killer dance moves and have fun with the family.

Mindful activities

As mentioned before, this can be a scary time for children, especially if they can’t understand the why or the what of It all. Stress and anxiety can be very prevalent during the current pandemic. Practicing positive mental health and mindful exercises can help reduce some of those worries and anxieties.

Talk it out
This first suggestion is a simple as it sounds. Talk. Children understand more than we think. The way they communicate can differ, but a lot of times they are just as able to comprehend things as we are, it may just take some different explaining or language. Talking with your kids about our current situation can reassure them that the dialogue is open if they have any questions or concerns. Worry is a very normal feeling in both adults and children, so keeping the communication open is important for both comprehension but also reducing anxieties.
Talking it out has been known to reduce worries and lift a weight that was once a stressor.

Writing it out
This next one is similar to talking it out. Writing it out is a good way for children to release their feelings onto something concrete. To physically see their worries or concerns on paper. You can also turn it into a positive. Writing out goals or plans for when things get back to normal can give children something to look forward to. Having a worry journal can encourage the release of anxieties. Giving children the idea that when they write it
down, it is now released onto paper. They are placing the worry elsewhere.

Yoga for kids
Yoga is a great way for all ages to practice mindfulness and meditation. There are plenty of online resources or videos guiding children through yoga. Grab a mat and set up a computer, phone, or even guided instruction by a parent. It’s a good way to stretch and meditate all together.

Reading or colouring
This next suggestion is a great way to distract and escape worry. Having children focus on a book helps them escape their reality for a brief moment. Reading books can have a great effect on mental health, exploring other worlds and stories, practicing imagery and imagination. Creating their own world to distract from their current one. Colouring is also a great way to encourage focus and creativity, keeping a quite part of the house available
for your kids to read or draw or write is a positive way to wind down, stay calm and explore their imagination.

Staying both mentally and physically active during this time is crucial for children who may be experiencing stress due to a change in routine. School is out, they are isolated, and filled with questions. Using these suggestions can help ensure staying busy, staying active, and staying engaged with themselves and their families.

With that being said, here at the Royal City Soccer Club, we hope everyone is staying safe, staying healthy, and remaining calm and positive. We send our thoughts out to the families effected by Covid-19 and encourage you to stay active and engaged in whatever you can. As a community we will get through this.

Being involved in sports and physical activity has multiple far reaching effects that children can carry into adulthood. Sports play a massive role in female development while also providing valuable skills to help girls become more successful in all facets of life. In honour of National Women’s Day, we want to highlight the super girls out there and why it’s important to stay involved in sports.

Social Skills

Being involved in sports can help girls build both self and body esteem while also expanding their social circle. Girls involved in sports tend to build stronger confidence levels which can carry over into their everyday life. They learn teamwork and a sense of belonging which can also improve their social skills both inside and outside the sport. Being involved in sports also allows them to work on your personal and physical goals while also making friends and building strong relationships.

Physical Benefits

Staying active and involved in sports for girls can have immense physical and psychological benefits. Not only are they staying physically active and gaining a more positive body image. But they can also improve psychologically. Exercise increases endorphins in the brain which is a natural mood booster. There are also more opportunities to improve physically and mentally when in an environment that promotes physical health.

Education and Learning

School can be stressful, especially children who may struggle with social aspects or learning hurdles. Sports however are known to improve cognitive learning and memory. Achieving goals in sports can also motivate girls to achieve their academic goals. Girls also become more comfortable with their social skills in school while being involved in sports. This makes their academic experience more engaging and motivating when you enjoy your school environment.

Gender equality

In a world that has been mostly dominated by boys, girls involved in sports are encouraging gender equality and female empowerment breaking down social stigmas attached to women in sports. It also goes on to create excellent examples of female athletes and new definitions of beauty. Beauty found in strength and power is very important, and we have women in sports to thank for that.

Overall, girls who stay involved in sports not only acquire positive skills and set healthy standards for their personal benefit. But also contribute to creating a more inclusive and progressive environment in sports.

Being an effective leader means a lot more than just supervising children. The responsibility of a leader means being a positive role model and a trusted influence. This involves the ability to communicate with children, enforce positive behaviour, and provide a safe learning environment. With all of these qualities in mind, how can we become an effective leader?

Communication

Communication is a huge aspect in being an effective leader. The ability to adjust your communication tactics based on who you are speaking to is very important. Every child learns and reacts differently, so being able to adjust your delivery is essential when being a leader. Also keeping your communication positive and constructive will help reinforce trust. When a child feels comfortable approaching you with concerns is when you have effectively created a safe environment as a leader.

Patience

Patience is also a huge aspect in being a good leader. Being able to keep your cool, remain calm in stressful situations, and act responsibly is what creates a trusting environment. Not only will your patience pay off with those who you are leading but will also contribute to your personal attitude towards the situation. Keeping a positive attitude and remaining engaged stems from your ability to be patient.

Creativity

Being a leader, and especially when working with children, creativity can be a great asset. There will always be situations you have either never faced before, or that you may not know how to handle. Being creative is sometimes your only option, so having that ability will benefit your leadership skills. Children often need help understanding certain instructions and rules, and some may not always want to respond respectfully, thus why having creativity on your side can help you encourage children to not only follow the rules or instructions, but do it in a way that they will enjoy.

Establishing trust

Establishing trust is an important quality in a leader no matter the age. If you are in a position of power, or being expected to lead by example, being someone trustworthy is a very important quality. Being a leader who can be mindful of certain situations and act with integrity and trust will establish a safe environment that will ultimately pay off in the relationships you build.

Being an effective leader requires not only these qualities, but also your own personal qualities. Ones that you cannot teach or learn. Part of what makes a great leader is simply being yourself. Earning trust has a lot to do with remaining true to yourself and others and that means using these qualities mixed with your own special traits to create a well rounded environment and setting the best example possible.

Winter is in full swing and the snow is falling, the temperatures are dropping.  This is the time most students are thinking about summer jobs.  Time to ace that interview.  Here at Royal City Soccer Club, we interview over 500 candidates for summer jobs so know just what that ‘aced’ interview looks like.

Dress to impress:

Put the phone away:

Cell phones should be turned off or muted for the duration of the interview.  It is very distracting when a cell phone starts ringing at an inappropriate time.

Sell yourself:

Candidates think it’s the interviewer’s job to ‘pull’ information out of the candidate or find out what they need.  Not true.  The candidate must ‘sell him or herself’ during the interview at all times.  The candidate has to highlight reasons to hire them and the experience and skillset that backs that up.

Make eye contact:

Too many candidates look down or away from the interviewer during their response.  This is a sign that the candidate is not confident or sure of his/her answer. Looking at the interviewer shows confidence in yourself and your answers.

Personalize your answers:

Interviewers hear the same old answers to most of the questions. When a candidate can personalize their response and make it different from others, it will stand out as a memorable moment in the interview.

Be concise:

Often candidates talk too much of stuff the interviewer doesn’t care to hear.  Be sure the answer the question you are given and be concise about the information you are providing.  Often you can read from the interviewer whether they want to hear more about it or not…but don’t assume that because they haven’t interrupted you means they are interested in what you are saying.

Choose words carefully:

It is important for candidates to use appropriate words & terminology.  Swearing is a big no-no.  When candidates use slang, it gives the appearance of a lazy brain…not something an interviewer is looking for.

If you apply for a job with us this summer, keep these tips in mind and you’ll likely substantially increase your chances of getting the job.

When most people think of special days in February, Valentine’s Day is the one that comes up the most often.  But the day most people forget is Family Day. Trying to keep your children busy can be challenging on any day let alone in the middle of winter when most businesses are closed, but we’re here to help with some ideas for this Family Day!

Board game time

Put those phones & tablets away.  Say goodbye to PlayStation, Xbox and Nintendo Switch! Make this day a board game day.  Dig deep in your closet & choose one of those board games you haven’t played in year.  If they want to get creative, maybe they can make their own game! Here are some of our personal favourites:

• SORRY
• Trouble
• UNO
• Clue

Once Upon A Time

Nothing says “family time” like cuddling up and reading a story together but if you want to take it a step further, how about making a fort or castle to go with the theme of the story you’re reading? The kids can even dress up as their favourite character in the book and act it out! I asked my coworkers to give me some of their favourite childhood books for inspiration:

• Green Eggs and Ham by Dr Seuss
• Elephant and Piggie by Mo Willems
• The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch
• Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
• Click, Clack, MOO by Doreen Cronin

Catch a flick

Sometimes just chillin’ out and watching a family movie on Netflix or going to your local theatre and watching a new release is just the right amount of family time.  Just a few great family movies out in the theater are:

• Dolittle
• Frozen 2
• Jumanji

Homemade Fun

One of my favourite things to do when I was a kid was to make homemade playdough and I promise your child will love it too! Not only does it allow you to create something with your kids while spending some quality time together, it gives them something that will probably occupy them for quite some time without making a total mess. If you’ve already created playdough before, maybe try out a “homemade slime” recipe for even more creative fun! Here is a simple Playdough recipe to follow:

Materials

• 1 cup water
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup salt
• 1 tablespoon cream of tartar
• Food coloring
• Saucepan
• 1 cup flour

Directions

1. Combine water, oil, salt, cream of tartar, and food coloring in a saucepan and heat until warm.
2. Remove from heat and add flour.
3. Stir, then knead until smooth. The cream of tartar makes this dough last 6 months or longer, so resist the temptation to omit this ingredient if you don’t have it on hand.
4. Store this dough in an airtight container or a Ziploc freezer bag.

So, as you can see, there is plenty to do with your children on Family Day that doesn’t even involve stepping out of your home on these cold, winter days.  Let us know what you’re doing on your Family Day by posting a photo on Instagram and tagging @royalcitysoccerclub!

Yes, it’s January but right about now you’re probably thinking ‘what’s my summer gonna look like?’.

What kind of summer job am I going to have?  The summer is full of opportunity but is the planner that often gets the best job.  Here are a few insights on the best way to prepare for a summer job…

What are you looking for?

The first step is to think about what kind of summer job you want.  Outdoors vs Indoors?  Factory vs working with kids, etc.  There are plenty of opportunities available but you have to determine what is important to you.  What motivates you?  Do you want experience in a certain field or do you want to have fun during the summer.  Are you starting to build your resume? Or are you just looking to have a good time? Keeping your motives in mind will help you gain a better understanding of what opportunity best suits your needs.

Where do you start?

Years ago, an employer would post a ‘Help Wanted’ sign and interested candidates would drop in and provide their resume.  Today, interested candidates have access to many different ways of applying… which can actually be overwhelming at times.  Google searching ‘summer camp jobs’ is fine but you are more likely to get job ads from all over the world than local opportunities. Using third party websites such as Indeed or your University/College job board will provide you with local opportunities.  You can also find great success in going straight to the source; the company’s website.

TIP: Make your resume or application stand out. In a world where everything looks the same, employers really value individuality. This is why understanding your motives, for finding a summer position, is crucial to your success in finding your perfect summer job. It not only saves you from having a generalized search, but it also saves you time from applying to jobs that you will not benefit from.

How can you set yourself up for success during an interview?

Research! You may be asking ‘Why do I need to research? this is just a summer job’.  Preparing & researching every aspect of the job and company gives you an edge on your competition. From the moment you pick up the initial call from an employer you are being interviewed. TIP: Usually the initial call is the deciding factor of bringing you in for an interview or not!

A job posting is perfect to gain understanding of the what the position consists of. Majority of the time employers list the hours of work, job requirements, as well as the wage in the job positing, to help you decided if the position is right for you. However, taking your research a step further to investigate the company is also a fantastic way to give yourself an edge over other candidates. Looking at the company’s website, will give you a more in depth look of the culture or environment to expect at the job.

Candidates who have questions for employers during an interview stand out more than the others. If you have ever had an interview with a potential employer you know that at the end of the interview they will ask you if you have any questions. Now this can either be an awkward pause or it could be an opportunity to elevate yourself above the other candidates, vying for the same position.  It is important to do the research so you can go in with a prepared question. TIP: Try to ask questions that can’t be answered by reading the job description.

Looking for a summer job can be difficult. There are so many opportunity’s that it can become overwhelming to decide how you want to spend your summer. If you take your time to listen to your wants and needs you will be successful in finding the right fit. Although there are many opportunities, they unfortunately do not stay vacant forever. Keep in mind that if you are looking for a summer job once the school year is over, whether it be in April or June, there are thousands of other people looking at the exact same time. To secure a position at your perfect summer employment, you must start looking and applying in January.  

Our staff applications for 2020 are now open! Apply now so you won’t regret it later!

-Rachael