Would you quit??

[woodsmeister]

DD started her new dance class today
we have been on the waiting list for a year and we finally got a place
we were in the over 2 class and it was 11 - 11.45am (she usually sleeps from around 11.30 for a cpl of hours)
i think DD was def one of the youngest in the class, which is no excuse, but holy moly did we struggle with it
the class was v structured and required alot of sitting on mums knee and listening and watching

DD refused to sit on my knee and basically tantrumed for 30 mins while the teacher asked me to hold her onto my lap and not let her run around, she was screaming, trying to punch and scratch me
all of the other kids seemed to be able to do this fine! it was just mine causing a huge scene. i was mortified and got upset

we have done classes before (mini maestros) but have never had to do a class where she has not been allowed to just run free
so i am not sure i want to go back
the teacher said that most kids get used to being quiet and sitting still
i am not sure mine will.. she is very independant and strong willed
shld i keep going and try to 'train' DD to be better behaved or just accept that its not the right class for me and move on
anyone else had experience with this?

[MissSteph]

Seeing as you waited so long to get a spot I would give it another chance. Try maybe 3-4 lessons and see if she gets any better. It would be a shame to throw it out the window and regret it not knowing what wouldve happened if she started listening etc.

Hopefully she does get better

[Gandalf]

I suppose it depends on what kind of dance it is, and how important it is for you.

For me personally, nup, no way would i go to something like that. (hearing you on the strong willed part ). I might stick it out for 3 or 4 classes, but i'd probably leave as soon as she started screaming tbh. that's no fun for you or for her.

Could you look into something that's just for fun while she's little, and put her into something more structured when she's older? you can find small ballet classes that aren't overly structured, or maybe do a mums and bubs type class?

I'd probably be more inclined to take her to gymnastics or something, somewhere that she'll at least me allowed to go a little more nuts in.

do what feels right. and maybe look at a few different options for her, even martial arts maybe?

[FiveInTheBed]

How old is DD?

Maybe she just isn't ready and would prefer to be running around at the park?

Turnup the music at home and dance around the loungeroom

...well that's what I'd do

[Mahjong]

OP, PLEASE dont take this the wrong way, but how old is your DD? Does she actually want to do this or do you want her to? Im just wondering, please dont take offence, it does sound like she doesnt want to and I think trying to make her isnt going to help you or her, it'll end up stressing you both out. Maybe wait until she's a little older?

[woodsmeister]

mahjong - not taking it the wrong way at all
fiveinthebed - DD was 2, 2 weeks ago but is young for her age as she was 2.5 months prem

its got such a great rep - this dance place - and everyone i have spoken to about it are all impressed we have got a place..
i wld never force DD to do anything she didnt want to, i just wanted her to have opportunities to do activities that she would enjoy.
i guess you dont know until you try right?
I am going to give it one more week and if we have a nightmare next week then stop it

[MamaC]

Oh my lord I have been where you are!!!
I signed up my eldest for tumble tots (kinder gym) when she was about 18mths old and she used to put on such a performance There were some weeks where we'd be there for 10 minutes and have to leave. But I persisted and we eventually were able to make it through the whole class

BUT, the reason I persisted was because the time she could spend there without tantruming, she love love loved. If it hadn't been for that I would never have persisted. So now you have to ask yourself a few questions:

1) does she love the activity when she's calm enough to participate?
2) are you willing to do the hard work to get through this initial stage?

If the answers to both questions are yes, then here's what I used to do:

1) make sure we had a happy morning before the class
2) lots of food leading up to the class, so she definately wasn't hungry
3) talking to her about tumble tots and what we would do there, who she'd see, etc.
4) get there early so she could have 5 mins "free play" before the class started
5) distract her if I felt she was winding up to a tantrum, and finally
6) be completely prepared to leave the class if she tantrumed.

And yes, we eventually got to a point where she made it through the whole class and let me tell you what a fabulous feeling that was!

Good luck!

[tinynosetinytoes]

I'd definitely quit.

Growing up I was a dancer for over 10 years (tap, ballet, jazz) and when I got to being older I'd help out with the little ones sometimes (2-3 year olds). And while we encouraged them to listen and watch and then have a go themselves, we never minded if they wanted to run around or what not. Most of the time if they did run around, they got bored quickly as the rest of the kids were watching the dance teachers.

I think that dance lessons are great but I'd pick a dance school that offers a bit more 'toddler friendly' classes

[Mahjong]

Give it one more go and see, she might surprise you and do it (kids hey!) Hope it goes well

[jb23]

I'd definitely quit.

Growing up I was a dancer for over 10 years (tap, ballet, jazz) and when I got to being older I'd help out with the little ones sometimes (2-3 year olds). And while we encouraged them to listen and watch and then have a go themselves, we never minded if they wanted to run around or what not. Most of the time if they did run around, they got bored quickly as the rest of the kids were watching the dance teachers.

I think that dance lessons are great but I'd pick a dance school that offers a bit more 'toddler friendly' classes

These lessons sound far to structured and inflexible for a 2 year old imo. there are plenty of dance schools out there that alow a 2 year old to b a 2year old. and they make it fun for them, it doesnt sound like u dd was enjoying the lesson at all.
as a child my mother had me dancing at 2, on the stage by 3. i hated every moment of it as it was not fun and there was way to much pressure from her and the teacher. so personaly id be quiting and finding a dance studio who have lessons more suited for toddlers and then if later on she wants to continue and is serious about id rebook her into that studio when she was say 5