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On Over- and Under-Scheduling
Squiddle actually has a pretty busy social calendar for someone who can't even tie his own shoes yet. He has classes at the community college down the street twice a week (Kindergym/Developmental Movement on Tuesday mornings, and Joyful Parenting on Friday mornings), his toddler playgroup Wednesday mornings, my Stroller Striders group (which is basically a mommies' exercise group but he gets to play some with the other kids) Thursday mornings, and Toddler Tumbling on Saturday mornings. Daddy gets to take him to that last one. All of them are ending for the term this week, which is good timing relative to our trip.
The Kindergym class is actually quite popular. I went to sign up for next term 48 hours after the registration window opened. It was already full, and the waitlist was full as well! But this morning Ms. Lori gave some of us long-term students add slips, which I hadn't asked for or expected. So, hooray, Squiddle gets to keep his class schedule next term!
For a while I wondered if I was over-scheduling him, but each group has different activities and playmates in it, and getting him out of the house for an hour or two five days a week doesn't seem that bad. So I don't think I'm pushing him too hard.
Particularly not in light of what Wonderful Husband reported about a couple of the parents at the Tumbling class this last weekend. They were asking the instructor if he offered private lessons.
Private gymnastics lessons. For two-year-olds.
There could be innocuous reasons for this, of course. The next age group up for that class meets earlier in the morning, which might not work with the families' schedules. But somehow the reason which comes more immediately to mind is something more like parents pushing their children to succeed....
I don't care if my child is a professional athlete or admitted to Yale at age 16 or any of that crap. (In fact, we have a list of sports we will actively dissuade him from. Most of them have heightened potential for brain damage or other crippling injury.) I just care that he's happy, healthy, a good person, and getting decent grades.
The Kindergym class is actually quite popular. I went to sign up for next term 48 hours after the registration window opened. It was already full, and the waitlist was full as well! But this morning Ms. Lori gave some of us long-term students add slips, which I hadn't asked for or expected. So, hooray, Squiddle gets to keep his class schedule next term!
For a while I wondered if I was over-scheduling him, but each group has different activities and playmates in it, and getting him out of the house for an hour or two five days a week doesn't seem that bad. So I don't think I'm pushing him too hard.
Particularly not in light of what Wonderful Husband reported about a couple of the parents at the Tumbling class this last weekend. They were asking the instructor if he offered private lessons.
Private gymnastics lessons. For two-year-olds.
There could be innocuous reasons for this, of course. The next age group up for that class meets earlier in the morning, which might not work with the families' schedules. But somehow the reason which comes more immediately to mind is something more like parents pushing their children to succeed....
I don't care if my child is a professional athlete or admitted to Yale at age 16 or any of that crap. (In fact, we have a list of sports we will actively dissuade him from. Most of them have heightened potential for brain damage or other crippling injury.) I just care that he's happy, healthy, a good person, and getting decent grades.
no subject
I digress.
While I'm not a parent myself, it seems ludicrous to me to have toddlers in private classes. BUT, from what I understand, some cultures and countries encourage parents/guardians to find their baby's natural talents right away and get them in the best class, soonest, for opportunities they might have missed out on otherwise ... I think I heard someone tell me this is how they find (train) fifteen year old Olympic contenders and players.
Those children might be missing out on a lot.
Then again, others might say someone who's got free time in the scheduling (and letting the child determine - or, at least, have a say - how fast, how far, and how involved), means the child's not living up to his or her full potential.
It all has to do with perspectives and values. Which has no right or wrong answer.
As long as there isn't abuse or neglect, then you, baby, and spouse should be fine - encouraged in fact!
(p.s. sometimes physical discipline needs to happen. children are resilient and bounce back physically, (usually, very quickly) but they still might need that sting that gets the emotional (and social) cues/answers across.
Worried about abuse? There is a difference between a disciplining, firm, solid hand, and an abusive hand - mainly: broken bones or black-n-blue marks. discomfort that fades fairly quickly, ... well, that goes back to upbringing and culturally/socially acceptable.
Sparing the discipline is abuse.
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(Anonymous) 2016-03-16 10:57 pm (UTC)(link)I think it is good that Squiddle is getting out to see lots of other kids his age and learning lots of new things.
All children should be encouraged but i believe that 2 years is a bit too young for private lessons in anything!
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(Anonymous) 2016-03-16 04:30 pm (UTC)(link)