Posts: 2,955
1/29/08 5:30 P

Congrats on his joining in. It just takes time. He did it on his own ! Be proud and enjoy! I get sad when my 12 year old doesn't want me to hang out with her (not very often though!!!).
icemom

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1/29/08 2:29 P

Success! Jake did the class last night. At first I sat right next to where he was dancing. Then as they moved to each obstacle course I got further and further away. Eventually I was able to sit with the parents! Yippee! He found a little boy about a year older than he that he followed around. It was great. I also told him if he did the class, he not only would get the stamp but we would go to my sister's house for a visit. That REALLY motivated him. LOL He had a good time too. The coach he ended up with was one of the male coaches. He even gave him a high 5. He was so proud of himself and could hardly contain himself to wait his turn on the equipment. :)

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1/23/08 6:55 P

I watch my granddaughter Mel she is 2 and a half. She is in a ballet/jazz class that is for 2 year olds only. Mel isn't the least bit shy or reservered which is funny because her mother was exactly the same as you describe. I really like Mels teacher she lets the kids that need a little more closeness to mom be with mom. Some moms are doing the dancing some moms are sitting in the back with the kids observing. But she always ask if they want to come dance. And by the end of the session they are all up dancing. And they all get a sticker at the end of class for the effort they had to put for just being there. Stick with him, he will come around

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1/23/08 12:32 P

Maybe he is to young for it. he is only 2. I would also try something for you and him. My 2 year old probally wouldn't do it either.
Every child is very differnet.. Give him time he will be fine..

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1/22/08 11:29 P

Hi. I was a toddler teacher for many years. Let him be. That teacher sounds way to controlling. I do understand where she is coming from, BUT, each child is different and she needs to understand that. Try the Mommy and Me classes. He is only 2, try a story time at the library or something else like a play date. He has time to develop his interests. My daughter was 2 when she started her first dance and gymnastics classes. I had lied about her age ! It was something that she had wanted to do. She kept sneaking into the group classes when we were getting ready to leave. I was lucky, she is a doer and still is ! Just give him time. He will find his way. icesk8rsmom

current weight: 221.6

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1/22/08 1:35 P

Jake is an observer at first too. He loves bouncing on the gymnastics equipment but on his own time not in a structured environment. So we are taking it slow. I think after this session is over I'll try the mommy and me gymnastics to see if that works better for him for now. We did a drop in session one time and he absolutely loved it. It was a different center and cost more but if he is more comfortable it would be worth it. Plus it is in the morning not evening. I think the group environment and it not being a mom and me thing has him scared. I just would like for him to try it on his own and decide from there if he liked it or not rather than freaking out when the teachers talked to him! The one lady coach is a bit abrasive so I think he is a afraid of her. The male coaches aren't bad and more upbeat. Who knows. Thanks for your input. I figure we'll try everything and something will strike his interest. Right now he is addicted to Thomas the Train. But I'd like to see him get active in something rather than pushing trains around, watching Thomas videos or reading Thomas books. He loves running around in the McDonalds play equipment but the older kids make me nervous. They usually are good with him but they can get so raucous.

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1/22/08 12:07 P

I have a child that has been "an observer" from birth. Nothing misses her quick eye, but she must always spend a few sessions just watching before she'll try anything new.

She has a horrible fear of failure and is a perfectionist in the extreme, so all those things combined make new things very difficult. My approach has been to not push too hard nor too soon, to praise amply when she tries - always praising the effort, not the result.

She's now 8, and has suddenly developed a passion for horseback riding, daring to perch on the biggest horse in the stable and try anything new in that arena without hesitation - by lesson 3, she was loping.

Give him time, but if it becomes clear gymnastics is not his thing but yours (we had that situation w/ piano lessons), back off, cut your losses (which can be huge financially!), and watch him carefully, letting HIM dictate what he wants to do. Good luck!

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1/22/08 11:44 A

I signed my toddler up for a gymnastics class. The first day he screamed the entire time and wouldn't participate. The 2nd day, he ran all the way back to where I was sitting and wouldn't budge. Kept saying he wanted to go home. When the class finished and got their hand stamped, he wanted a stamp too but the teacher said no. It is a reward for doing the class. I explained that to him and of course he immediately jumped on the gymnastics equipment to try and do the stuff real quick so he could get his stamp. I told him it didn't work that way that he would have to do it with the class next week. How do I get him to participate? It is really exasperating.

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