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what activities to do for a 2 year old other than school?
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Anonymous
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I have been touring around schools this past week for my 18 month old to have something more challenging/fun to do when he turns 2 this summer but have been disgusted with what I see out there so far.
Any suggestions? I am a stay at home mom with a newborn as well but can get a sitter for activities if I dont find a good program. I live in VIenna/Oakton area. Thanks in advance. |
Anonymous
| OP, what have you been "disgusted" about? We can then better help you. |
Anonymous
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I guess I was disappointed in the lack of organization, cleanliness in both facility and the children themselves - I understand that it is the sick season, but come on - wipe the snot and food off of the kids faces!
Also the teacher to kid ratio for 2 is 1-8 and I was looking for something more focused rather than play all day. I do gymboree and am thinking of a sport like lil' kickers, an art class, a music class - even maybe a language class - but dont know where to begin. I was hoping to find a place I can drop him off for an hour of few hours w/o me so that when he is 3 he is ready for school. I guess I was just disappointed today and am not sure what I expected. |
Anonymous
| I think your expectations might be a bit too high. They are 2 years old and still in diapers. Two year olds are supposed to be playing all day. What do you want them to be doing? That is how they learn. All of the activities you mentioned are really things you would have to do w/ your child at age 2. If you want some time to yourself, hire a babysitter. |
Anonymous
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At that age, I think the only place you'll be able to drop him off and leave him are preschool and mother's morning out programs. In my experience, drop off programs (other than school/MMO) start around age 3.
I also live in Vienna. I have no experience with these programs, but have you looked at Vienna Baptist and Wesley? I love my son's preschool, but children have to be 2.5 by September to attend. |
Anonymous
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I dont mind waiting until he is 2.5 since it will be summer with more outdoor and fun activities to do. Thank you for your recommendation - I will look into it.
I am not looking for "time for myself" but just time for my son to socialize and learn and not get bored at home in the winter. I guess I would need a babysitter to take care of the newborn to take him to individual activities. As I mentioned I was not sure what to expect therefore was seeking direction. |
Anonymous
| 2 years old is the perfect age for a playgroup, where moms/dads/nannies come and bring any babies, and chat; and the toddlers run around indoors with some toys (winter) or outdoors at the playground (spring and fall). Maybe look around your local area. Lots of times there are MOMS clubs or something similar that have a playgroup. Often it is twice a week; it usually isn't drop off, but sometimes parents take turns watching the kids. Sometimes parents orgainze some crafts or activities. |
Anonymous
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maybe try this group?
http://viennamoms.org |
Anonymous
| THe Vienna Music TOgether classes are great when you have a couple of kids - the toddler gets interaction and the baby is very welcome. I started when my oldest was 22 mos and the baby was 6 weeks. |
Anonymous
| Thank you!! I will check them out. |
Anonymous
| There is the Meekins Co-op on 123 which has a low-key 2's class a couple days a week. Music Together, Gymboree in Tysons, My Gym and Little Gym in Fairfax, The Oakton rec center has swim lessons, Movement classes at Cuppett Dance Studio. Vienna Community Center has many activities, including art classes, for little kids. We used to do soccer through Kids Pro Soccer at a park in Arlington - they have little kids groups. There is a tae kwon do studio near the West Falls Church metro station. |
Anonymous
| Look into classes organized by the park and rec in your area. I know many classes will let you bring younger siblings w/ you. I have enrolled my child in several classes through the Fairfax County park and rec, and thought they were all well organized and fun. |
Anonymous
| OP: can I ask what schools you toured. I also live in this area and wanted to start touring schools. I did check out Wesly which I thought was great. I also, checked out Parkwood...while the teachers seemed nice, I didn't love the building itself...it kind of smelled like an old musty house, although it was raining heavily that day. Was wondering what other schools to look into or avoid. |
Anonymous
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I really hope I dont offend anyone who's children go there but -
Hunter Mill Day School in Oakton - the place was just gave me an "orphanage" feeling and the lady that ran the place was not friendly and I was shocked there was a 1 year wait list for it. Town and Country school of Vienna - better than the first place but I wasnt impressed - Kindercare was the cleanest and friendliest of the 3 I went to but it seemed very crowded and the rooms were tiny. The staff was amazing though and I took my son to all 3 and he seemed to really like the Kindercare. I am going to look at 3 more: Reston Montessori and 2 churches, one is Wesly which I keep hearing great thigs about. How old is your child? |
Anonymous
Its interesting that you say Hunter Mill. My friend's kid goes there just to give his SAHM a break, as they are one of few with a PT program and her son LOVES it there. He's been going since he was 2. Prior to that he was at a Kindercare and not doing well at all, he never adjusted. He never cried at Hunter Mill. Because of Hunter Mill he's obsessed with farm animals. I mean obsessed!!! |