Gymnastics and Meltdowns

MisN

This weekend was DD's second gymnastics class and it was....well...somewhat of a disaster.  I am wondering if we should try again later when she is older or stay the course.

 The class is for 18months-3years with parental participation.   She is a very happy and enthusiastic 19 month old who knows what she wants;)

At gymnastics she kept crying/melting down when she couldn't just go to another station she saw other classes using (e.g. tunnels, trampoline, foam pit). I kept reiterating that we had to follow the teacher and wait our turn to do the [insert other activity that she was interested in].  While I tried to be very enthusiastic about the activity we were currently doing, there were many tears and I had to remove her for a few minutes to cool down with a drink then rejoin.   There were a few moments of fun but the majority of the class was very difficult on us.

There was a big difference between her understanding and the other 2-3 years olds in the class.  But there was also another boy her age in the class who was very easy going and seemed to enjoy the class.   She couldn't seem to get into the structure.

Would you stay the course or forfeit our fees and try again later when she is a little older and can understand better?

 

gy86

Give her time -- even by being exposed to a new environment, other kids, activities, music, etc she's getting the benefit of the activity.  Structured play is a lot to ask of a 19th month old, and the instructors should be understanding since yes the difference in age and abilities will vary a lot. 

Do they have any time before/during/after class for free play/exploration?  With kids this small, some distraction is to be expected; most of the places we've gone to have just said let them check it out if they need to, then redirect them if possible.  She might just need some more time where she can explore on her own terms before she's asked to come back and intently focus on the prescribed activities.

I imagine as she gets more used to the environment, she'll start to better understand their routine and equipment.  Until then, I wouldn't let it keep you guys from attending!

kwitt22

DD was EXACTLY like this in our class and the same age at the time. The thing I learned was you have to keep them going, try not to have down time between each thing. For example, they put out an obstacle course for us and in between each obstacle DD would try and wonder, I would just take her hand and kinda run her to the next obtacle. I also told her before we got in you have to listen to mommy. If we had to wait for something I asked her where her nose was, where mine was, what a cow said etc. Stick with it! We had a blast, yes we had some difficult classes, but I noticed that after the class her listening skills were much better. Plus I loved those nights, she went to bed nice and early!

rnbeth477

We have been going to baby gymnastics classes at The Little Gym with DS since he was 10 months. They have classes that change with the age of the child.

The classes start with circle time, songs, etc. Then move on to free play and various activities with the gym equipment that is teacher directed.

DS and the other LOs don't always participate in every activity. They are allowed to run free in the safe gym while being supervised by a parent. If we had to stay with the group the whole time, I would sign us out of the class.

RayRay007

Keep trying. DD started gymnastics at 18 months in a 18mo-3y.o. class and she was the youngest. The first couple classes were hardest until she started to learn the routine. At the same time, you have to understand she's a toddler and won't follow instructions perfectly, especially if there are other classes going on at the same time. She will be distracted.

Linz-E

Stick with it. We started with my daughter when we moved to SC this fall...she was 19 months. I still spend some time redirecting her to what the class is doing or chasing her, but it does get easier. My daughter does not like every activity, but I encourage her by saying "If you walk on the beam in a few minutes you can jump on the trampoline or get a hoop, etc." At first all the other mothers told me it will get easier and Im glad I stuck with it.

MisN

Thanks Ladies,  it nice to know I am not alone dealing with this issue (although it felt like it on the weekend!).  We will continue with gymnastics and hope it improves.

ERINPETERSON

I own and run my own gymnastics program with children that are 2-18 years old and had a class for 15-24 month olds. One of the most important aspects of a young child at that age is to keep them busy. I would suggest asking your instructor if she'd be ok with you taking her to other equipment in the gym to satisfy her curiosity while she is waiting her turn There is a rule I have in my gym, do not let a gymnast under the age of 3 wait longer than 30 seconds for a turn. If your LO is going past this wait period it is inevitable that he/she get restless. Gymnastics is such a fantastic sport so I hope you stick with it Good luck to you and your LO!