DC's "classes" are killing me!

[Anonymous]

Bring one of those folding crazy creek chairs. You are still sitting directly on the floor, but with back support. The original one is under $30.

http://www.crazycreek.com/backpacking-hiking-camp-chairs/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WAY too many structured activities.

Developmentally, toddlers don't need that kind and amount of structure to learn.

Four a week is too many? I disagree 100%. Toddlers do need socialization and learn to sit and participate. That is the entire point of the classes. I do a lot of classes with my toddler, too. It adds structure to our day and like OP, I do them in the morning. In the afternoons, DD and I run around the park or go swimming.

No they don't.

Toddlers do not need that kind of structure to learn. It is developmentally inappropriate. Mom might need those classes for socialization but the toddler does not.

NP here and you are wrong, PP. They do need it and it is absolutely developmentally appropriate.

- signed a Preschool Teacher who can tell the poor little souls who have never been to a structured class and have mothers who believe as you do.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like you back is bothering you and you are tired - that's all.

Nap when DC naps and I echo sitting up straight as a rod with your chest out and shoulders back for as long as you can. It is the shoulder slumping that gets me when I sit on the floor or push the stroller.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WAY too many structured activities.

Developmentally, toddlers don't need that kind and amount of structure to learn.

Four a week is too many? I disagree 100%. Toddlers do need socialization and learn to sit and participate. That is the entire point of the classes. I do a lot of classes with my toddler, too. It adds structure to our day and like OP, I do them in the morning. In the afternoons, DD and I run around the park or go swimming.

No they don't.

Toddlers do not need that kind of structure to learn. It is developmentally inappropriate. Mom might need those classes for socialization but the toddler does not.

NP here and you are wrong, PP. They do need it and it is absolutely developmentally appropriate.

- signed a Preschool Teacher who can tell the poor little souls who have never been to a structured class and have mothers who believe as you do.

At 19 months? Some of them can learn to sit still and some can't. They can all learn it later, at 2 or 3 or 4.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, honestly consider dropping classes. Here's my take on it - I kinda hate the whole toddler/baby class industry for creating a perception that they need it. They really don't! And they don't socialize much at that stage, especially in artificially created settings!

a. Drop story times. Read the books of your choosing, at the time of your choosing, in the position of your choosing (lying down, sitting down on the couch, whatever!)

b. Drop music classes, what nonsense! Play the music of your choosing at home, sing if you want, give him a rattle if you want, go with the flow!

c. Every day, EVERY DAY without fail take him out to the park or playground or other controlled setting where you can let him loose for a while. Let him get lots and lots of physical activity. If he falls or eats a handful of mulch, it's not a big deal! Once he gets lots of physical activity, he will be wonderfully cooperative and sleep much better.

d. Prioritize sleep, YOUR sleep and your physical fitness.

Disagree. These activities are very important. Music Together, up through age 3, was awesome. Our daughter, who is musically inclined, loved everything about it, and the CDs made long road trips fun.

Oh please. They teach nothing com

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WAY too many structured activities.

Developmentally, toddlers don't need that kind and amount of structure to learn.

Four a week is too many? I disagree 100%. Toddlers do need socialization and learn to sit and participate. That is the entire point of the classes. I do a lot of classes with my toddler, too. It adds structure to our day and like OP, I do them in the morning. In the afternoons, DD and I run around the park or go swimming.

No they don't.

Toddlers do not need that kind of structure to learn. It is developmentally inappropriate. Mom might need those classes for socialization but the toddler does not.

NP here and you are wrong, PP. They do need it and it is absolutely developmentally appropriate.

- signed a Preschool Teacher who can tell the poor little souls who have never been to a structured class and have mothers who believe as you do.

At 19 months? Some of them can learn to sit still and some can't. They can all learn it later, at 2 or 3 or 4.

Preschool teacher again. Why make your child miserable by being the only one in a preschool class at 3 who doesn't know how to sit and listen? Why would you do that purposely to your child?

Take them out and take them to structured activities/classes! Ask any preschool teacher and we can tell you what child has and what child has not had that exposure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, honestly consider dropping classes. Here's my take on it - I kinda hate the whole toddler/baby class industry for creating a perception that they need it. They really don't! And they don't socialize much at that stage, especially in artificially created settings!

a. Drop story times. Read the books of your choosing, at the time of your choosing, in the position of your choosing (lying down, sitting down on the couch, whatever!)

b. Drop music classes, what nonsense! Play the music of your choosing at home, sing if you want, give him a rattle if you want, go with the flow!

c. Every day, EVERY DAY without fail take him out to the park or playground or other controlled setting where you can let him loose for a while. Let him get lots and lots of physical activity. If he falls or eats a handful of mulch, it's not a big deal! Once he gets lots of physical activity, he will be wonderfully cooperative and sleep much better.

d. Prioritize sleep, YOUR sleep and your physical fitness.

Disagree. These activities are very important. Music Together, up through age 3, was awesome. Our daughter, who is musically inclined, loved everything about it, and the CDs made long road trips fun.

Oh please. They teach nothing com

Nothing complicated and certainly nothing you cannot do at home. It ain't juliard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WAY too many structured activities.

Developmentally, toddlers don't need that kind and amount of structure to learn.

Four a week is too many? I disagree 100%. Toddlers do need socialization and learn to sit and participate. That is the entire point of the classes. I do a lot of classes with my toddler, too. It adds structure to our day and like OP, I do them in the morning. In the afternoons, DD and I run around the park or go swimming.

No they don't.

Toddlers do not need that kind of structure to learn. It is developmentally inappropriate. Mom might need those classes for socialization but the toddler does not.

NP here and you are wrong, PP. They do need it and it is absolutely developmentally appropriate.

- signed a Preschool Teacher who can tell the poor little souls who have never been to a structured class and have mothers who believe as you do.

At 19 months? Some of them can learn to sit still and some can't. They can all learn it later, at 2 or 3 or 4.

The reason my son can sit and appreciate story time and books at 19 months old is because I have been taking him since he was nine-months-old.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, honestly consider dropping classes. Here's my take on it - I kinda hate the whole toddler/baby class industry for creating a perception that they need it. They really don't! And they don't socialize much at that stage, especially in artificially created settings!

a. Drop story times. Read the books of your choosing, at the time of your choosing, in the position of your choosing (lying down, sitting down on the couch, whatever!)

b. Drop music classes, what nonsense! Play the music of your choosing at home, sing if you want, give him a rattle if you want, go with the flow!

c. Every day, EVERY DAY without fail take him out to the park or playground or other controlled setting where you can let him loose for a while. Let him get lots and lots of physical activity. If he falls or eats a handful of mulch, it's not a big deal! Once he gets lots of physical activity, he will be wonderfully cooperative and sleep much better.

d. Prioritize sleep, YOUR sleep and your physical fitness.

Disagree. These activities are very important. Music Together, up through age 3, was awesome. Our daughter, who is musically inclined, loved everything about it, and the CDs made long road trips fun.

Oh please. They teach nothing com

Did you pass out before you finished your thought, PP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WAY too many structured activities.

Developmentally, toddlers don't need that kind and amount of structure to learn.

Four a week is too many? I disagree 100%. Toddlers do need socialization and learn to sit and participate. That is the entire point of the classes. I do a lot of classes with my toddler, too. It adds structure to our day and like OP, I do them in the morning. In the afternoons, DD and I run around the park or go swimming.

No they don't.

Toddlers do not need that kind of structure to learn. It is developmentally inappropriate. Mom might need those classes for socialization but the toddler does not.

NP here and you are wrong, PP. They do need it and it is absolutely developmentally appropriate.

- signed a Preschool Teacher who can tell the poor little souls who have never been to a structured class and have mothers who believe as you do.

At 19 months? Some of them can learn to sit still and some can't. They can all learn it later, at 2 or 3 or 4.

Preschool teacher again. Why make your child miserable by being the only one in a preschool class at 3 who doesn't know how to sit and listen? Why would you do that purposely to your child?

Take them out and take them to structured activities/classes! Ask any preschool teacher and we can tell you what child has and what child has not had that exposure.

Approval of preschool teachers is not a developmental indicator. It doesn't matter what you can and cannot tell. What matters is what is right for that particular child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WAY too many structured activities.

Developmentally, toddlers don't need that kind and amount of structure to learn.

Four a week is too many? I disagree 100%. Toddlers do need socialization and learn to sit and participate. That is the entire point of the classes. I do a lot of classes with my toddler, too. It adds structure to our day and like OP, I do them in the morning. In the afternoons, DD and I run around the park or go swimming.

No they don't.

Toddlers do not need that kind of structure to learn. It is developmentally inappropriate. Mom might need those classes for socialization but the toddler does not.

NP here and you are wrong, PP. They do need it and it is absolutely developmentally appropriate.

- signed a Preschool Teacher who can tell the poor little souls who have never been to a structured class and have mothers who believe as you do.

At 19 months? Some of them can learn to sit still and some can't. They can all learn it later, at 2 or 3 or 4.

The reason my son can sit and appreciate story time and books at 19 months old is because I have been taking him since he was nine-months-old.

Children love books and stories organically and it has nothing to do with story times. If you just read to your child , the result is the same, with fewer distractions.

[Anonymous]

These are 45 minute classes once per day and only four times per week. Your back is hurting because you are using different muscle groups than you're used to. So, get used to using them by getting on the floor more often. Not more classes, but at home. Keep getting down on the floor and moving around with him, and then without him while doing core exercises. Your upper back may also hurt more because he's more active (and heavier and longer, so when he bends he has more leverage) so when you carry home you are also restraint him using different muscles than you're used to. You have to be careful that you don't pull something, so you better learn how to move your body so that you don't hurt your back while carrying him. Strength exercises might help with that too.

[Anonymous]

Join a gym and take him to the childcare . That way you're exercising and he's socializing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WAY too many structured activities.

Developmentally, toddlers don't need that kind and amount of structure to learn.

Four a week is too many? I disagree 100%. Toddlers do need socialization and learn to sit and participate. That is the entire point of the classes. I do a lot of classes with my toddler, too. It adds structure to our day and like OP, I do them in the morning. In the afternoons, DD and I run around the park or go swimming.

No they don't.

Toddlers do not need that kind of structure to learn. It is developmentally inappropriate. Mom might need those classes for socialization but the toddler does not.

NP here and you are wrong, PP. They do need it and it is absolutely developmentally appropriate.

- signed a Preschool Teacher who can tell the poor little souls who have never been to a structured class and have mothers who believe as you do.

Oh please.

A two year old? Sure. Three year old? Most certainly.

But an eighteen to nineteen month old toddler still in diapers? Not necessary or developmemtally appropriate. They are still in the parallel play phase. Structured group classes is not how toddlers learn.

[Anonymous]

You need to baby proof. I relax on the couch for little dunks of time plenty during the day while my toddler just tears up the living room. Just pull out a toy he hasn't seen in a while and take a dcum break.