Group Play Question

JosieH

I've tried to do some classes with DS who is about 20 months, but they're only so so.  He likes to do what he wants to do and has a hard time sitting still or following the group.  He's in daycare and has good social skills, is interactive with the kids there, follows all kinds of commands (when he wants to LOL), etc. 

So just wondering, have you experienced the same thing and does time make it better?  Are there any tips to try to refocus him to get him to participate?  I can't decide if activities in a large unfamiliar place overwhelm him or what.  I plan on talking with his teachers this week about it only because I've noticed kids his own age seem to be able to particpate while he runs off like a maniac.

 And yeah, I know he's not even 2 so I factor that in.

 

shopgirl78

Yes and yes (especially boys!!).  Lots of redirection.  My DD was better about this than DS1.  DD started tumbling at 2.5 and I attempted to start DS1 around the same age and he needed a lot more redirection.  We stopped tumbling when DS2 was born b/c I couldn't give him (DS1) the one on one he needed to participate appropriately.  In the last year, he has matured a lot and could do a much better job.  He is 3.5 now. 

RaeAnt

Ds is in Kindermusic and the teacher often says it's the age. Ds and most of the other kids in his class will often do their own thing at various times through the classes. She told us to just let them go. When something peeks their interest, they will focus in and join the group and that's what happens. She said just because they weren't directly participating, doesn't mean they weren't listening or gaining anything from it.