Advice Needed About 18 Month Old in Gymnastics

hi L.-
You already got some good responses, but as a music teacher (and mother of a toddler), I'd just agree to take the cues that your younger daughter is giving you. Unless there's some physical reason why she's in a structured gymnastics class, I'd say that it's better that you are planning to find something else for her to do during your older daughter's class.

When I take on new music students, I always meet the student before agreeing to take him/her on, especially if they are younger than 7. I've found that some students do well with structured instruction at a young age, and others don't - it's just dependent on their personality. I've met some parents who really want their children to start certain activities at a very young age, and while it works for some children, I'd say that more often than not, starting kids on activities before they are ready is more likely to turn them off the activity. And from personal experience, I know that most 18-20 month olds probably just want to explore the world at their own pace.

No judgment here - just my observations as a teacher and mother! Best of luck to you.

<laughing> Our entire living room was turned into a gymnasium by the time my son was 18 mo.

We've been doing gymnastics for ages and ages. My son has a HUGE grin on his face the whole time, and always has, regardless of "how" he is doing. In all honest, after several years of doing this at least once a week he's not very good...and I don't care. He has a blast. He loves it.

A big part of it is that we're at a great gym. I checked out 3 others I didn't like at all before finding this one. The rest of it though, is all him.

If your 3 and a half year old loves it, keep her in. If your 1 and a half year old loves it (even if she's just boinging on the floor while others are walking the beam, or in the foam pit) keep her in if you like. What's fun is fun. If you'd rather save a few dollars because, darnit, she has more fun bouncing on the couch and that's free, pull her out.

Go with your gut.

Z

Iagree with Candace. I would add that at 18 mos she is probably not ready for focused instruction. She's still exploring her world and wants to do what she finds interesting.

Without having had any experience, other than in swimming, I'd guess that kids this age are too easily distracted. THey do sit down and focus when they're trying to figure out how a toy works. They'll make a bee line to see something that catches their eye. For the most part they are learning independence and aren't ready for structured group play time.

IMO 18 months is definitly too young for structured gymnastics lessons. They should be more like playtime, tumbling at this point.
We visit a music class and we do sit in a circle, or play with a certain instrument, but if the kids are not up to it, they are encouraged to run around and do their own thing.
At this age it's all about learning to love whatever activity you choose, exploring and making oneself feel comfortable in an unfamiliar environment.
If the class is set up in a way that allows for her to roam around, I would stick with it for a while and see if she comes around if not I would switch to something that is a little more open, like a tumbling class.

I'd listen to your little one. If it isn't working it isn't working and by trying to keep it up it may make her rebel and decide not to do it at all. Can you get her into another activity? We do parent/child swim with our two year old. I know that dance classes go down to that age. Maybe try something new. More often than not what works for one will not work for the other. I have three sisters and my mom put us all in dance. I was the only one who stuck with it. They ended up in art class, basketball and cheerleading eventually. Go figure. Just be sure to listen to her.

Hi L. - For both of your kids this time at gymnastics is still very much "play time" more than learning. My kids hated during that age doing "structured" things as they were learning to explore their world and the things in it. My two boys (now 8 & 5 yrs) have started gymnastics a few months ago. The primary reason we started this was as a therapy for my youngest, his older brother goes as a support for him as well. They both enjoy it more now than if they started earlier but it still seems like "fun" more than learning even though they are learning. For your youngest I would not "force" her to participate. If she is not interested then listen to her & just enjoy some other play time (even at home - plus it is free). Please don't be one of those moms that sign up their kids for all types of events/activities because it does not allow them to be KIDS. I never thought I would hear my mom's words come back at me but she was right (yes I know how scary that is for most of us (:>). Enjoy them when they are little, they grow way too fast!