gymnastics..bust!

realisticdreams · July 2012

The instructor..left much to be desired of a toddler instructor but besides that, she wouldn't let the parents in the room with the kids and you had toddlers in hysteria wanting their mommys. She didn't even do anything to try and make them comfortable and Peyton ended up peacing out, opposed to some of the other kids who sat there and cried the whole time.

I think the worst part is that for the 15mins she did participate (when i was in the room, against instructors wishes, on the other side of the wall watching) an adult parent made fun of her attempt to jump.

I was livid. And I wanted to cry and I was already having a blah day because it's July and her surgery was a year ago and for some reason just feeling emotional about it. She can't jump it's probably one of her biggest gross motor things that she has trouble with still, and the fact that she attempted it I was ecstatic and it was so cute.

Looks like we're entering a new realm of things to deal with and I am honestly not feeling prepared at all.

I'm sad because she was so excited for this class and it was just not handled properly at all or age appropriately. Atleast 4 of the other mothers (out of like 10?) said they weren't coming back. And I guess I make 5.

If she doesn't want to do it...I shouldn't make her, right?

gimmietimmies · July 2012

At this age, I wouldn't force her if she's not enjoying it, and especially if you're not. Have you looked at dance? Our local studio is extremely good with accomodating all kids (in fact, the have a weekend instructor who is an inclusion instructor who teaches musical theatre and creative movement). DS is considering it, because even he could do it (he can't jump either). At her age, she would be in the Tiny Toes/Angelina Ballerina programs and the instructors are so good with the lo's. They also have a parent and tot program, I know ours would let you bring both girls. Would something like that be more appealing? Trust me, they're not all Abby Lee Miller.

realisticdreams · July 2012

gimmietimmies:
At this age, I wouldn't force her if she's not enjoying it, and especially if you're not. Have you looked at dance? Our local studio is extremely good with accomodating all kids (in fact, the have a weekend instructor who is an inclusion instructor who teaches musical theatre and creative movement). DS is considering it, because even he could do it (he can't jump either). At her age, she would be in the Tiny Toes/Angelina Ballerina programs and the instructors are so good with the lo's. They also have a parent and tot program, I know ours would let you bring both girls. Would something like that be more appealing? Trust me, they're not all Abby Lee Miller.

I didn't know if it was OK to let her "give up" but I still felt like at this age if it isn't something she wants to do, she already has to do so many things she doesn't want too (but has too) I surely didn't want to make this another thing she hated.

I'm looking up other options right now, this was by far the cheapest since it's ran through the county parks & rec at $50/month. She also likes soccer though and their is a tots soccer class for $70/6 weeks but H completely hates that idea because she has horrible balance and coordination.

One of the other gyms allows moms to assist all 2 year olds so we would have 6 months of me being allowed in there and I think by then she would be more than comfortable.

But this was like walk in, she called the kids names told them to go in the room and sit down and parents to leave. I was like hold up lady!

We got the clearance from neurosurgery to do ballet and/or gymnastics so if we could find a dance class that would do her age that would be ideal although she's kind of shy with dancing so I think gymnastics would be better on that front.

Assembly_Reqd · July 2012

10 bucks says that was the teacher's way of getting her class size down to a more manageable level. Maybe you should take advantage of the smaller size of next week's class and see how it goes.....

A class of ten seems kind of large for one teacher to handle......

funchicken · July 2012

I'm sorry you had such a bad experience! I'm surprised they expect kids under 3 to participate without their parents. We did gymnastics class when DD1 was 18 months that was run by our parks dept and it was for ages 18-36 months with a caregiver.

The parent who made fun of your DD should be ashamed of him/herself.

If you don't feel comfortable with the class, don't feel like you have to continue, and if you decide not to continue, I would speak to someone about your dissatisfaction with the way the class was run, and ask for a refund.

realisticdreams · July 2012

-auntie-:
realisticdreams:

The instructor..left much to be desired of a toddler instructor but besides that, she wouldn't let the parents in the room with the kids and you had toddlers in hysteria wanting their mommys. She didn't even do anything to try and make them comfortable and Peyton ended up peacing out, opposed to some of the other kids who sat there and cried the whole time.

I think the worst part is that for the 15mins she did participate (when i was in the room, against instructors wishes, on the other side of the wall watching) an adult parent made fun of her attempt to jump.

Not a huge fan of organized activities for the toddler set. Many aren't ready to be that autonomous. Banning parents from the room is standard for many such places. It helps weed out the kids who aren't emotionally/devlopmentally ready for this level of independence and it protects kids from other kids' parents like the one who made fun of your child.

FWIW, my well developing niece took dance at this age; they didn't even have a peer hole or one way mirror. Parents got a single open session in December (when they collected costume fees) and the recital in June.

I guess I just think that's weird. That it's super secretive from the parents. If i'm paying for it, i'd like to watch my child do it. I found a couple other classes and for children under 3 it was mandatory that parents be involved. I know she would of had SO much fun if I would have even been allowed to stand in the room. I get it, I just think it's weird and that what works for 1 kid may not work for another.

I was livid. And I wanted to cry and I was already having a blah day because it's July and her surgery was a year ago and for some reason just feeling emotional about it. She can't jump it's probably one of her biggest gross motor things that she has trouble with still, and the fact that she attempted it I was ecstatic and it was so cute.

Did you do a little parental education on her? I've only done this a handful of times. I have a rehearsed response prepared which helps me come off as a whole lot more together and eloquent than I am.

No, I was in shock, and wanted to immediately cry. I will for sure have to come up with a plan on what to say without sounding super witchy!

Looks like we're entering a new realm of things to deal with and I am honestly not feeling prepared at all.

This is why I was a volunteer with my son's high school marching band and his scout troop. Because I don't trust the volunteers associated with either organization. Parents can be the worst. I overheard the lady in charge of uniforms doing an imitation of my son for a gaggle of moms including myself. She didn't identify him by name, only as "clueless little 9th grader". I knew immediately that she was dissing DS and I called her sorry ass on it. I moved in and made sure I was there anytime she was. I took over the next year at the request of another mom whose son has Aspergers. When she stepped down, the new president who took over has a DD was Aspergers. It's a pretty safe bet they came to the party for the same reason I did.

HOW AWFUL! It's sad, especially to think how these kids are going to act based on what their parents do. If my kid can ignore children in chairs, who use walkers, and have limb deformities, then their is NO excuse for a grown adult to act like that. Makes me sick!

I'm sad because she was so excited for this class and it was just not handled properly at all or age appropriately. Atleast 4 of the other mothers (out of like 10?) said they weren't coming back. And I guess I make 5.

If she doesn't want to do it...I shouldn't make her, right?

I agree that this could be a fabulous fit once the riff raff is gone.

If you DD asked to do the class and given that you've been unable to make preschool a reality, I'd make her give it a few more tries before bailing. If this was your idea alone, I accept I made a bad choice and move on. If she were 5 and had asked, she'd complete the cycle. Not quitting builds character.

We asked her if she wanted to do a swimming class, soccer class or gymnastics and she said she wanted to do flips and play with little girls. She told H that the people were mean and she wasn't going back. I guess i'll see how she feels about it in a couple of days. I'm going to call Paragon tomorrow and see if we can do a free session. Honestly, if I would have known that this wasn't being ran with an assistant OR with the help of parents I would not have signed her up for it.

MrsBalletStar05 · July 2012

I teach dance and tumbling and would say it is VERY common to not allow parents in the room. Now it definitely sounds like there was some other undesirable things going on with the instructor, but the no parent rule is pretty normal. Usually we are flexible the first week or so, but parents can be distracting to the learning process and young kids get confused about who to listen or pay attention to. With that said, I'm sure you could find another program that allows you to be in the room, or one that has viewing windows or a closed circuit tv (which can be spendy so that is why many places do not have them, as these places are generally pretty small businesses with low budgets). It's less about it "being secretive" and more about minimizing distractions to maximize learning.

Once, we were in dress rehearsal and I had a large group of 2-4 year olds (and two teenage assistants). As I was trying to get them to do their dance, all the moms stood right in the front and several were telling their child to look at me, to fix their bow, to move to their spot, ect. I ended up with 15 2-4 year olds who did NOTHING on stage because they were so distracted by all the parents. We had to start over after I asked the parents to sit down and shut it :-/ Just an example to try and help you understand!

My own son is 2 and doesn't jump either. We are excited for him to start a class this fall!

realisticdreams · July 2012

MrsBalletStar05:
I teach dance and tumbling and would say it is VERY common to not allow parents in the room. Now it definitely sounds like there was some other undesirable things going on with the instructor, but the no parent rule is pretty normal. Usually we are flexible the first week or so, but parents can be distracting to the learning process and young kids get confused about who to listen or pay attention to. With that said, I'm sure you could find another program that allows you to be in the room, or one that has viewing windows or a closed circuit tv (which can be spendy so that is why many places do not have them, as these places are generally pretty small businesses with low budgets). It's less about it "being secretive" and more about minimizing distractions to maximize learning.
Once, we were in dress rehearsal and I had a large group of 2-4 year olds (and two teenage assistants). As I was trying to get them to do their dance, all the moms stood right in the front and several were telling their child to look at me, to fix their bow, to move to their spot, ect. I ended up with 15 2-4 year olds who did NOTHING on stage because they were so distracted by all the parents. We had to start over after I asked the parents to sit down and shut it :-/ Just an example to try and help you understand!
My own son is 2 and doesn't jump either. We are excited for him to start a class this fall!

I understand that parents are a distraction for some kids, but not all kids are the same. The bottom line is, if they would have put this in the description we would not have chose this class. They aren't preparing for the olympics at 2 1/2 and I thought it should be more fun/social oriented. We have a trial set up at a paragon and it's required that mom stay in the room and help, so hopefully it will go better.

teacherjulie · July 2012

This makes me sad my daughter is in gymnastics it has done wonders for her socialization. I am in the same room as it is an open gym but do not go inot the space where she is working she can see me at all times. If a chlild uinder 3 cries their parent either gets them or the teacher vbrings them to the parent. Classes are no larger than 5 for the 5 and under group. Not sure where you are going but are there other options?

https://www.paragongymnastics.com/announcement/open-gym-summer-specials

this place has a special needs group, and open gym to try it out...I am not affliliated with this group just did a google search

realisticdreams · July 2012

teacherjulie:
This makes me sad my daughter is in gymnastics it has done wonders for her socialization. I am in the same room as it is an open gym but do not go inot the space where she is working she can see me at all times. If a chlild uinder 3 cries their parent either gets them or the teacher vbrings them to the parent. Classes are no larger than 5 for the 5 and under group. Not sure where you are going but are there other options?

https://www.paragongymnastics.com/announcement/open-gym-summer-specials

this place has a special needs group, and open gym to try it out...I am not affliliated with this group just did a google search

Their are other options, this just didn't have the registration fee that paragon adds. But we are going to do a trial class at paragon. I asked about their special need classes a few months ago and it didn't seem like a good fit since P is so mobile. They are just about 50 mins away vs 15.

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gymnastics..bust!

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