2.5 yo Sports Lessons

[Anonymous]

Hi all,
I am interested in signing up my 2.5 year old to any kind of sports lessons that run currently for the summer. Do you have any recommendations? I am particularly interested in swimming, tennis, gymnastics and soccer. I am open to other options.
Thank you for your recommendations.

[Anonymous]

By "sports lessons" at age 2.5 I assume you mean small classes? Because if you meant private lessons I'll assume this was a troll.
But to answer what I think is your question, check your county parks and rec dept and local YMCA for whatever offerings might be left. Our county had a "little olympics" kind of thing where kids did different sports (basketball/tennis/soccer) all set up indoors in a gym. I doubt many places do outdoor soccer for kids that little in the summer.
As for swimming, see if there are county-based small swim classes -- at that age it might still be mommy and me. Local pools also have classes or that's the one place you can get private instructors, usually swim coaches who have extra time.

[Anonymous]

Just start with something like "The Little Gym" or "My Gym."

They keep it fun, age appropriate and that stuff is good for developing coordination for all sports.

[Anonymous]

Local gymnastics gyms usually have toddler classes that are fun.

[Anonymous]

Check out Goldfish swim school. We started our kids there around 3 or 4 just as an activity and for general water safety. They really liked it and enjoy swimming a lot. Great exercise that you can continue for life.

[Anonymous]

Wow, why did you wait so late? You should have started at 18 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:By "sports lessons" at age 2.5 I assume you mean small classes? Because if you meant private lessons I'll assume this was a troll.

I kind of think the opposite.

I think that other than possibly swimming, there isn't going to be any skill development in 2.5 year old "sports lessons". The only reasonable goals for 2.5 year old sports lessons would be have fun, wear them out, give the parent a break, and provide some structure or routine to break up the day or weekend. In my experience, all of those things are going to be more easily accomplished if you hire a neighborhood 12 year old to "coach" your kid in the backyard, or a 16 year old to give 1:1 swim lessons, than by paying for an expensive group class. In most group classes, the parents need to be on top of their kid, repeating the directions, guiding them through etc . . . Playing with a "big kid" is more fun than that for the kid, and reading a book while your kid plays with someone else is likely more fun for the adult too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By "sports lessons" at age 2.5 I assume you mean small classes? Because if you meant private lessons I'll assume this was a troll.

I kind of think the opposite.

I think that other than possibly swimming, there isn't going to be any skill development in 2.5 year old "sports lessons". The only reasonable goals for 2.5 year old sports lessons would be have fun, wear them out, give the parent a break, and provide some structure or routine to break up the day or weekend. In my experience, all of those things are going to be more easily accomplished if you hire a neighborhood 12 year old to "coach" your kid in the backyard, or a 16 year old to give 1:1 swim lessons, than by paying for an expensive group class. In most group classes, the parents need to be on top of their kid, repeating the directions, guiding them through etc . . . Playing with a "big kid" is more fun than that for the kid, and reading a book while your kid plays with someone else is likely more fun for the adult too.

Playing with the neighborhood 12 year old lacks the benefit of interacting with peers. For some kids that's important - like a kid who has a SAHP or a nanny and doesn't really do much same-aged-kid-time.