DC's "classes" are killing me!

[Anonymous]

I take my just turned 2 year old to the playground a lot. He loves to sit in the sandbox and play ..this is the only activity that gives me a break... Oh and the water table on our deck. Why are yiu taking him to so many activities? 1-2 classes a week is fine, other than that just do the playground.

[Anonymous]

By the way, this is the above pp, we don't do any of those classes anymore. We joined a semi structured playgroup. So we do that 2-3 mornings and the rest playground or dates. I recommend the playgroup - just a tiny bit of structure, teaches to sit and listen during story time, sit during snack, socialization...just the right amount. Best part: you can sit and relax a bit while they play in a safe environment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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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.

You sound like a lazy teacher. What do you think toddlers did before parents started going crazy over baby/toddler classes? My entire generation grew up with mostly stay at home moms and started pre-school at age 4, I guarantee our mothers were not taking us to gymboree and music together (those did not exist 30+ years ago), and we turned out just fine.

As someone that has worked with the elementary school, I can also tell which kids have had opportunities to sit and listen, develop patience, etc. One year of preschool doesn't cut it for children that are expected to read by the end of kindergarten. And the kindergarten I attended 25 years ago? It was at a science/math magnet school, it was the only school in the area that limited play time in favor of education. The only kids that got in were the ones who could show that they knew basics like sitting still and listening, full alphabet and numbers to 20 (minimum), etc.

Is 2 years of preschool, ages 3 and 4, enough, elementary school master? Or are 19-month olds with no classes already irreparably behind?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You sound like a lazy teacher. What do you think toddlers did before parents started going crazy over baby/toddler classes? My entire generation grew up with mostly stay at home moms and started pre-school at age 4, I guarantee our mothers were not taking us to gymboree and music together (those did not exist 30+ years ago), and we turned out just fine.

As someone that has worked with the elementary school, I can also tell which kids have had opportunities to sit and listen, develop patience, etc. One year of preschool doesn't cut it for children that are expected to read by the end of kindergarten. And the kindergarten I attended 25 years ago? It was at a science/math magnet school, it was the only school in the area that limited play time in favor of education. The only kids that got in were the ones who could show that they knew basics like sitting still and listening, full alphabet and numbers to 20 (minimum), etc.

Is 2 years of preschool, ages 3 and 4, enough, elementary school master? Or are 19-month olds with no classes already irreparably behind?

Try sitting a 19 month old who has never been to story time in a story time and see for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
For the core/back issue, I'd say drop a couple current activities and replace with a mom/baby exercise class like yoga or stroller strides.

This and do some targeted yoga/pilates/PT exercises when he naps or at night after he goes to bed.

[Anonymous]

Oh, for pete's sake, it's totally absurd to think that kids who don't get "classes" or daycare or whatever have you at 19 months are permanently behind (and I am a fan of both). Honesty, use some common sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh, for pete's sake, it's totally absurd to think that kids who don't get "classes" or daycare or whatever have you at 19 months are permanently behind (and I am a fan of both). Honesty, use some common sense.

NP here but why do you want your child to be even temporarily behind?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is hard about sitting on the floor? Do you work out at all?

I can understand being exhausted watching a toddler. I personally found it to be nice to go to places like Gymboree or My Gym for my son to run around and play.

+1. I have a very active 17 mo DD and our Gymboree class feels like a break for me because she is running around, climbing, exploring, etc. in a safe environment and I don't have to do anything to entertain her! Honestly, it's more exhausting being home with her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:By the way, this is the above pp, we don't do any of those classes anymore. We joined a semi structured playgroup. So we do that 2-3 mornings and the rest playground or dates. I recommend the playgroup - just a tiny bit of structure, teaches to sit and listen during story time, sit during snack, socialization...just the right amount. Best part: you can sit and relax a bit while they play in a safe environment.

PP, can you tell me more about the playgroup? Is it in the DC area? I'd like to find something like this for my DD starting in the fall. Not sure where to start looking. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Honestly, I cannot believe that we have arrived at a place where society thinks that it is "necessary" for babies and young toddlers to learn structure. By all means, do a class or playgroup or otherwise get your kid socializing and participating but 4 a week is mental and so is the idea that you "must" do this. I have three kids, and the oldest is 7, and the youngest is 1.5 and we did a class each starting around 2 and I skipped half the times. I felt the playgroups were more fun and during summer we just relaxed at a pool on a daily basis - kids know how to swim, play, take turns.

If you really need more "evidence" look at the growing body of studies that show that children NEED lots and lots of unstructured time - way past the age where we think they do now. There's mounting evidence that even kindergarteners do better with mostly unstructured time. We felt like an hour a week was very sufficient and never did more than one activity at a time. If your baby is saying "outside" take him / her outside! That doesn't mean "to the library." Let him / her sit in the grass at a park and meet dogs or look at ducks or birds whatever.

Silly

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, for pete's sake, it's totally absurd to think that kids who don't get "classes" or daycare or whatever have you at 19 months are permanently behind (and I am a fan of both). Honesty, use some common sense.

NP here but why do you want your child to be even temporarily behind?

I haven't responded to you before but I think PP above does not consider her child behind - I think she thinks it's laughable that the idea that someone would be "behind" in learning structure at 19 months of age is the most ridiculous and genuinely sad thing I've ever seen. What a rigid and sad and completely messed up idea of childhood you have, PP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:By the way, this is the above pp, we don't do any of those classes anymore. We joined a semi structured playgroup. So we do that 2-3 mornings and the rest playground or dates. I recommend the playgroup - just a tiny bit of structure, teaches to sit and listen during story time, sit during snack, socialization...just the right amount. Best part: you can sit and relax a bit while they play in a safe environment.

PP, can you tell me more about the playgroup? Is it in the DC area? I'd like to find something like this for my DD starting in the fall. Not sure where to start looking. Thanks!

If you are in DC, there is Blue Igloo, Intown and Lemon Tree. I think there's something similar in Arlington.

[Anonymous]

My DS (18 months) loves his "classes" and library story time (we do three story times a week). He enjoys his free play - park, playground, home, etc but I think his little classes are really benefitting him. He is our only (so far) and I do like seeing him in the same orbit as other kids his age and a little older (as in story time). If he hated the classes or couldn't sit still, I wouldn't take him.

OP's back is just bothering her from sitting without support. I have no clue where or why this thread went so far off the rails or why mothers who don't take their toddlers to classes are being so defensive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oh, for pete's sake, it's totally absurd to think that kids who don't get "classes" or daycare or whatever have you at 19 months are permanently behind (and I am a fan of both). Honesty, use some common sense.

NP here but why do you want your child to be even temporarily behind?

Behind what?? I wouldn't give a sh#* if my 3 yo is slightly behind some of the other kids in preschool. NP here. But there is no standard for your basic preschool at age 3.

[Anonymous]

All you moms who don't send your kids to daycare of take them to classes need to calm down.

If your child is at a disadvantage for not having done either, you'll find out.