Power Tots?

[Anonymous]

DD's day care just sent out a form to sign her up for Power Tots. $40 a month for weekly 30 mins gymnastics/dance classes. DD is only 2. Worth it?

[Anonymous]

I'm having this image of my 2 year old attempting gymnastics and it's very sweet .

[Anonymous]

I don't know what Power Tots is, by my 25 month old loves her gymnastics class. We were signing up our 4 y.o. and saw that there was a class for 18 m - 3 y.o. So we tried it. She's learning forward roles, swinging on ropes, monkey bars, trampoline, balance beam, etc. One interesting difference I can see between starting one at 2 and one at 4, is that the 2 y.o. is somewhat fearless whereas my 4 y.o. thinks before trying something and is very aware of consequences (e.g. could fall off balance beam).

[Anonymous]

Do they come with super powers?

[Anonymous]

Only the strongest survive.

[Anonymous]

My daycare kid loves power tots, it is his favorite thing at daycare. He loves the teacher and looks forward to it everyweek. I would pay $40 a month for it without question (it is included at our daycare for the 2, 3, and 4 classes), but at $10 a session, I think it is worth it.

Plus, you don't want your DC staying behind in the class room while all the other kids go to the "most fun thing at daycare".

[Anonymous]

Our daycare has this too, and I am signing up once DD turns two. The name alone was enough to sell me.

It sounds adorable and fun.

[Anonymous]

DS really loves it. He's 2.

[Anonymous]

I did it for my DD at age 3 and it was a waste of money. They kept sending home these reports that said she could do things like cartwheels and front rolls and nothing could be further from the truth. I put her in a tumbling class once a week run by the county and she actually did learn to do both eventually and I got to see the progress.

For the money you pay Power Tots and what they learn, I wouldn't pay it unless the daycare/preschool does no gross motor activities at all with the kids.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely an excellent program. My dd5 has been in the program for 2 years and she loves it. Even if they aren't learning 'real' gymnastics, the kids have a great time and it keeps them entertained and active. I also, think that most kids in the daycare sign up so your child may feel left out if they don't participate.

[Anonymous]

My DD has been doing it at her daycare since she was two. She loves it and it makes the day different. Also - no one wants their child to be the only one in the class not doing it. It used to be $37 a month and it just recently went up to $40. My DD also takes soccer through Daycare - that has been since she was three. It is even more expensive than power tots. Anyway - do I think she is a pro gymnast or soccer player - Not at All. I think power tots is more worth it than soccer. Ironically, I decided not to sign her up for the Computer kids daycare offered (for a fee). Her teacher mentioned to me that she was sad that she couldn't take computers like some of the kids in her class. I caved and signed her up and I totally believe that the computer class is VERY worthwhile. My DD uses a mouse correctly and can play educational games on the computer. It is fun for her and gets her away from asking for TV. I see the computer games as more "educational" then even the PBS TV shows. Also, the computer is better because with my baby DS - I do not want him even seeing the TV. The soccer is ridiculous and my DD tells me they sit on the ball and hold the balls on little range cones – to make ice cream. That is not soccer in my mind. I actually watched one of the soccer lessons and I heard the “coach” ask my DD what her name was. This was after like 2 months of soccer. Maybe it is just that one teach/ coach, but I was not at all impressed (to say the least). However, it does get DD outside and running (I hope).

[Anonymous]

Is this something that can only be done through a preschool/daycare, etc., or can we sign up as an outsider?

[Anonymous]

Another one whose kids love Power Tots. I must say that it bugs me that I am asked to shell out for all these different things on top of our hefty daycare bill (our daycare also does private music lessons, soccer, and a million field trips), but I am swayed by not wanting them to feel left out. And they do really love it. Like one of the PPs, I have seen no evidence of any actual skills gained, but at their age I don't think that's really the point.

To answer PP's question, to my knowledge, this specific program is just offered at daycares.

[Anonymous]

One of the mom's at my DD's daycare got the power tots teacher to come to her DD's birthday party. I believe that was seperate from Power Tots Inc. We were busy and didn't attend the birthday party, but I thought it was a great idea (if you have the space/ if it was a nice day). Maybe if you get a in with one of the teachers it could be arranged for a no daycare thing.