I’m surprised multiple people are recommending Tinkergarten. Maybe our local instructor is lousy but we did a trial class and it was AWFUL. We sat for 10m circle times multiple times—for the boring story to kick things off and then to discuss experiences after. Parents had to verbally participate with insights, the actual activities—while structured so kids could do their own thing—were way too long. I’ve never been so bored and desperate to get out of a toddler activity and it’s only made worse by the fact that it’s outside rain or shine. I decided I’d much rather wander through a park on my own schedule with my toddler than pay $20 a class for us to wander on someone else’s agenda.

You introduced three new classes in one week? Scale back! Pick one to continue, I bet you'll have better luck.

Circle time, sitting still for extended periods of time it’s not developmentally appropriate for two-year-olds. Why is it so popular you ask and why has it become mainstream? it’s because people are expecting younger and younger kids to do more and more academic type activities . A 2 year old should be running around playing on the gym equipment, refining. gross motor skills and not sitting quietly for extended periods of time. I like Little gym but they need to drop the long circle time.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ I don't think this is it. All three of the kids are "spirited”

Spirited is not code for autistic.

Right, it's code for brat.

False.

Circle time is how upper middle class white elites start enforcing their social norms. Resist it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ I don't think this is it. All three of the kids are "spirited”

Spirited is not code for autistic.

Right, it's code for brat.

I don't understand why every free little kids activity has to be a story time. Seriously most little kids can't sit still or listen to stories like that. Mine oldest couldn't do it till almost 3.5.

I’m surprised that your DD seems to be the outlier by not doing circle time. I had DS in Gymboree classes from about 15 months until a bit before 2.5 and there were maybe 2 kids in the class who did it. All the other kids just wanted to walk around and explore, and the instructors were ok with it so long as the parent was supervising them. If you think your DD is enjoying the class otherwise and is happy doing her own thing, she can keep going. If she just doesn’t like it at all, pull her out of the classes or find a different kid’s gym place to try because they aren’t all the same.

I will also say that the instructors at these places aren’t qualified early childhood teachers. Teachers at real preschools will know how to make circle time engaging for little ones and make them want to do it. So I wouldn’t read anything into your DD’s not wanting to participate. She could be totally different with a different teacher when she starts school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^ I don't think this is it. All three of the kids are "spirited”

Spirited is not code for autistic.

Did you reply to the wrong post?

Mine didn't do circle time at all until she went to preschool at 2.5 and even then it took a while. All the little my Gym parties we were running from activity to activity while other little kids were in circle or followed the teachers.
We just didn't do classes where that was a thing, lots of playground and creek and woods exploring. At 3.5 she is now an amazing rule follower and herds other kids at her preschool (multiple ages) to behave.

I’m a preschool teacher (3 year olds) and our circle time is always pretty short. 5-15 minutes at the most. I keep it active and when we are all sitting I try to be as captivating as possible to keep their interest. By the end of the school
Year I can go longer as they have developed the attention span muscle by then. There are always a few kids who have a harder time paying attention than others. It’s very rare that I have a kid that still pops up from circle time by November. Those are usually kids who have been identified as having special needs or likely will be. An hour long circle time at age 2 is incredibly inappropriate for their age.

I wouldn’t worry about doing these circle time things right now. I would take your child to playgrounds and long hikes through the forest. When he is older, put him in at least a part day preschool by age 3 or 4 so he can start flexing that attention span muscle when mom is not around and when he can see teachers being very consistent.

This phase of life is so short and wonderful. Do not spend another minute of it doing something neither of you is enjoying. Your child doesn't like it and absolutely does not need it.

Anonymous wrote:^ I don't think this is it. All three of the kids are "spirited”

Spirited is not code for autistic.

The smirking looks from the other parents and the generally clueless teachers at these things can be unbearable, it sounds like.

Anonymous wrote:I have an eight-year-old with HFA. The very first thing that tipped me off that she was wired differently was when, at age three, she repeatedly wandered away from her three-year-old gymnastics tumbling group. All the other kids participated as expected, except for mine — who couldn’t have cared less about the group. At the beginning of the second class they threw her out, “for safety reasons.”

I’m not in any way saying your child has HFA. But I suggest being extra attentive for other symptoms.

You’re making a big, big leap here.