WWYD 3 yr old & soccer class

tri_bride05

M loves to kick soccer balls in our backyard so I thought he might think it was fun to take a class - i.e. run around and kick balls at the park with other kids his age. He liked the idea, but now doesn't want to go. We've gone twice and both times he's refused to go on the field and just stands on the side telling me he wants to go to the play structure. I've tried going on the field with him, sitting on the side and just watching, but he whines and complains the entire time we're there. It's only a 30 min. class and we do go to the play structure after class. WWYD continue trying and watching the other kids play or just drop it and try again in another year if he seems interested?

AvaLikeLava

I would keep trying.

It took G about 2-3 sessions at a Parent&Me class to actually want to participate. S actually CARRIED him the entire time during one of the classes. So give it a shot for a full session. If he doesn't come around, then lay off until he's a bit older.

BTW, G's pre-school has a soccer elective. It's a separate sign-up, w/ extra cost (ran through Soccer & Smiles), but the instructor comes to the school, pulls out the kids that are enrolled and they practice every Wednesday. Unf. we don't get to watch, but he's around his peers. If your school has this option, it might be something to look into too. He might be less shy?

tiki_t

That sounds like the kids and their dance class this last semester. DD loved it, DS did the same thing (pouted and refused to participate). I bribed him. Since it was only once a week and we almost never have dessert at my house, if he made it through practice, I'd promise dessert. I also noticed that I was a distraction. If I stood out of his line of sight (which I don't know if you can do on a soccer field), then he was more likely to engage with the class and have a good time. But basically I made him go. I told him if he made it through the semester and still didn't want to do it, I'd let him quit but he had to at least try. By the end, he loved going. 

NorcalLinds

I would keep going. One week he may surprise you and participate. i would also not be above bribery. 

My.ABC.Life

We did a 10 week music class, at which DS did not participate until the last two classes!  Of course!!  I still think they get a lot out of the experience of just going and watching.  I'd also probably negociate the playground as something he gets to play on if (and only if) he participates in class - even if only a little bit. 

kittylove

I would also keep trying. If he were so upset he wouldn't calm down I wouldn't make him go but it sounds like he is just shy. Good luck and I hope he warms up.

tri_bride05

Thanks everyone. Really, thank you. I was ready to give up and I know I give up too quickly - we will keep trying. Glad to hear that others have been through the same and that your kiddos have ended up enjoying it after initial complaints.

jsugrin

For the next class I would tell him that you are only going to watch, that you don't expect him to participate at all and that he can sit right with you and watch the other kids play and if he wants you will kick the ball with him on the sidelines.  I would then show up a little late (let the instructor know what your doing) so that the kids are already started and engaged when you arrive.  Find a good place to sit and be comfy and then watch and chat about what they are doing.  Bring his soccer ball and be ready to kick it around if he asks but don't push doing so.

I've known for some while that Andrew has, what will probably become clinical, anxiety issues.  I didn't plan ahead for this when it came time for pre-school as well as I thought.  

For pre-school drop off DH took him and he arrived about in the middle of the free play drop off time.  Drops off went reasonably well but every day he did freak out about daddy leaving and clung to him until he was confortable enough to cling to the teacher.  He then had a wonderful time at school but was still anxious about arrivals.

Cue random day middle of the 2nd week, we all wake up late so mama does drop off and we are much later to preschool.  We arrive and free play has just wrapped up and they are getting all the things out and organized for their morning activity.  Now since I also have Cooper with me I am expecting a fit out of him about leaving and a serious fit out of Andrew about mama leaving him.  Surprise!  I tell him " brother and I have to leave soon" he says "ok" gives me a kiss and turns back to the activity.

I finally figured out that coming into a strange environment and don't really knowing what he was supposed to do ( ie free play on his own) was really overwhelming for him.  We did a week of slightly later drop offs and viola everything was love.