Hi all. I haven't been on in a while - looks like I've missed plenty!
I was just wondering what your thoughts are on toddlers taking direction. My DD is 22 months and we have been going to kinder gym at the local YMCA. The kids who come range in age from 12 months to 3 so it's quite a big range. Some of the kids (the older ones) are really good at listening and taking direction but the younger ones aren't of course - they're just there to have some fun.
The first couple of sessions we went to were fantastic as the instructor let the kids go for it and do their own thing. She did a couple of structured activities but she didn't stress if the kids didn't take part, she just went with the ones who did. However, she was just filling in until the regular instructor came back from holidays and now kinder gym isn't as much fun. This instructor makes the kids sit and wait in line to go on various equipment, and they don't get a turn until they've sat and waited quitely.
I don't know if I'm right, but I would have thought that at this age toddlers really haven't grasped the whole "taking directions" thing and shouldn't be forced to sit and wait when all they want to do is get up and play. I know they have to learn discipline, sharing and waiting their turn etc. and of course I'm teaching all this to her myself. I just think the age of my DD is a bit young in a class setting when there are so many distractions. She's probably on the cusp but still a bit young in my opinion.
I think this instructor thinks because the older kids can do it, all of them can do it. My DD cracked it this morning when she had to wait (she was also tired and hungry) and she got frowned upon. I just wanted to dig a hole and climb on in!
I was thinking perhaps I could politely say something to the instructor next week but I don't want to get her upset or angry.
Any thoughts you have on (a) toddlers taking instruction, and (b) politely bringing it up with the instructor, would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I was just wondering what your thoughts are on toddlers taking direction. My DD is 22 months and we have been going to kinder gym at the local YMCA. The kids who come range in age from 12 months to 3 so it's quite a big range. Some of the kids (the older ones) are really good at listening and taking direction but the younger ones aren't of course - they're just there to have some fun.
The first couple of sessions we went to were fantastic as the instructor let the kids go for it and do their own thing. She did a couple of structured activities but she didn't stress if the kids didn't take part, she just went with the ones who did. However, she was just filling in until the regular instructor came back from holidays and now kinder gym isn't as much fun. This instructor makes the kids sit and wait in line to go on various equipment, and they don't get a turn until they've sat and waited quitely.
I don't know if I'm right, but I would have thought that at this age toddlers really haven't grasped the whole "taking directions" thing and shouldn't be forced to sit and wait when all they want to do is get up and play. I know they have to learn discipline, sharing and waiting their turn etc. and of course I'm teaching all this to her myself. I just think the age of my DD is a bit young in a class setting when there are so many distractions. She's probably on the cusp but still a bit young in my opinion.
I think this instructor thinks because the older kids can do it, all of them can do it. My DD cracked it this morning when she had to wait (she was also tired and hungry) and she got frowned upon. I just wanted to dig a hole and climb on in!
I was thinking perhaps I could politely say something to the instructor next week but I don't want to get her upset or angry.
Any thoughts you have on (a) toddlers taking instruction, and (b) politely bringing it up with the instructor, would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance.
