Ladies would like some opinions

Alison - posted on 12/09/2010

I think any age between 3 and 8 is fine. It all depends on what works for your child and for the whole family.

Holly - posted on 12/08/2010

@ Amanda - most pro football players are contractually required to take ballet. My mom used to dance professionally in San Fransisco and Berkeley (before she had kids) and she actually taught beginning ballet classes to the San Fran 49ers! :D You should tell your son that if he starts taking ballet now he'll be ahead of the game :)



My little brother (now 22) has been taking dance classes since he was little (around 3 or 4) and he is so graceful and the girls are ALL over him! lol. We call him the modern Gene Kelly because he is so good at tap (he did a solo to "Singing in the Rain" a few years ago and I swear it was like watching the movie live and in color!). He took swing (and the girls LOVE it when he tells them he knows how to swing!) and of course he had to take ballet as well (my mom's rule for us kids - we could take whatever classes we wanted, but we HAD to take at least one ballet class). He's adored by the girls, and all his guy friends think it's pretty darn cool that he can easily impress girls :)

Holly - posted on 12/08/2010

I used to teach dance classes to 3, 4, 5 & 6 year-olds. I LOVED teaching the kids that young! Our rule was that they had to be potty trained though - no dance teacher wants to deal with a dirty diaper stinking up the studio! Of course, we did have a few accidents every year, but that comes with the territory :) We touched a little bit on tap, jazz and ballet for a 45 minute class once a week. I also taught a little tumbling every other week (somersaults, log rolls, from jumps, etc.).



I'd say 3 is perfect for starting dance classes (as long as potty training is complete), but I do think it may be abit young for music lessons. I honestly can't see my 3 year-old learning a musical instrument...

Ashley - posted on 12/08/2010

Thank you for all your help ladies im going to have to phone around and see what my town offers. I think he needs something though he's getting bored as we have so much snow and its -30 no outside play, we need some indoor activities outside of the house.

Amy - posted on 12/08/2010

I think the earlier the better for many of those things. A friend of mine has her oldest son starting violin lessons after school in kindergarten, they gave it a try and I think it's awesome! The younger they are though I think the less pressure you should put on them. Kids should try as much when there younger as they can so they can decide what there really interested in. I think it's very important for our kids to be a part of something outside of school, if it's music, dance, sports, etc will depend on what our child's interests are.

Brandi - posted on 12/07/2010

I plan to do this when Isla is old enough to take a genuine interest in it. When she shows an interest, I will encourage that. I'm sure it isn't so with every child, but I feel like putting them in something you think they might love may put pressure on them to excel at it to impress you.

Schmoopy - posted on 12/07/2010

Not sure what you mean by "music class." Is it a parent/child class? Or are you talking about him taking lessons to learn how to play an instrument? B/c if it's the later, I'd say it's WAY too early.

My grandmother was a piano teacher and I remember her telling me that children under the age of 7 are wasting their time in music lessons. Also, the instrument itself might dictate an appropriate age. For example, their hands have to be big enough to span the keys if they're learning piano.

Other than that, I'd say classes are fine. As long as you're not overscheduling him. One class should do it! And be sure it's something low-key. I'd sit in on a couple of classes wherever you're considering - listen to how the teachers / coaches talk to the children. If it's not gentle and nurturing (esp with preschoolers), find another class.

Rosie - posted on 12/07/2010

i don't really feel my children would do well in settings like that before 4 or 5. i don't know, i just don't see the point. kudos to those that do it and their kids love it, i'm pretty cheap, i think that's got a lot to do with why i feel the way i do, lol! we find other ways to have fun!

Laura - posted on 12/07/2010

I pretty much repeat what the other moms have already posted! Great minds think alike, right ladies?

I started my daughter out in swim classes (the only mandatory class--it's a skill to provide safety around water) when she was two. We also attended the reading program every week at our local library. Whe she was 3, we added a generic dance class to the swimming class at our local YMCA. At 4 she tried gymnastics along with dance, then decided she didn't really care for either. So we signed her up for swimming and Little League. She LOVED the Coach-pitch baseball! She has been in Little League ever since--she will be in Majors Softball this coming year. She also now plays the violin, but that was through the school music program. She does enjoy playing, so this year she is getting private lessons for Christmas.

Exposure to different art forms and opportunities for excercise are the main reasons we chose enrolling our daughter in classes at a young age. Active kids tend to be healthier kids! The only drawback to doing so many activities is overscheduling. As long as your child enjoys the classes/activities, then procceed. If, at any time, your child complains about a class/activity, consider dropping it and scaling back. It's just a matter of careful monitoring. Hope this helps and good luck!

Lyndsay - posted on 12/07/2010

My son is 3 and he's in swimming lessons. He has always liked the water but he was really hesitant about going under or being in water away from us. We recently went to Cuba and he got a little braver with some of the other kids, so when we got home we put him in swimming lessons because its something he likes and he learns well with other kids. We are thinking about martial arts around age 4, since thats the earliest most agencies will take, but thats mostly because he is very hyperactive and I want to give him something productive to do with his energy. I think if I had a "calm child" I might wait until he or she showed an interest. If the interest is there then I think any age is good.

Brittany - posted on 12/07/2010

My daughter started swimming lessons at 6 months. She took a break this session but will be back at it next. I don't really concider swimming lessons a sport even though it leads to swim team. It's more about water safety than anything.

If my daughter shows interest then I'll sign her up for it. I'll probably have her learn an instrument starting at 5; I never did learn and really regret it. We might even start earlier since she is showing some interest in music.

LaCi - posted on 12/07/2010

I'll put him in when I think he's ready for it. He's 2.5 now. I'll probably start taking him to the nearby gymnastics school in a few months for "bounce time" until he start the tumbling classes when he's three. Pretty much as soon as he's old enough with the athletics. He can start the kids dance classes at 3 for ballet and tap. Tball starts at 4, peewee football at 5.

As for music, I"ll take him to the "weerock" classes soon. As soon as he's able/interested I'll put him in real lessons, still too soon for all that though, he can keep playing with grandmas piano and mommy's guitar for now.

I won't force him to stay in any of it though. It's pretty much up to him. I just want him exposed to everything so he can figure out what he's interested in.

Good Day! - posted on 12/07/2010

My daughter and I have been going to a music class designed for toddlers since she was a year old. We LOVE it. It is non-performance based and is steeped in research...kind of montessori-ish. Here is the website, maybe there is a class in your area...

http://musictogether.com/

For activities that are centered on performance and competition, I'd wait until after toddler-hood to consider that. I think those things can be very good for children, but there's no need to push it too early and burn them out on it.

Kelly - posted on 12/07/2010

My son was in a "mommy & me" introduction to music class when he was 2yrs old. It was a lot of fun, and he was (and still is) an only child, so the socialization was good for him. They danced a lot, and he learned about rhythm, tempo, and scales. He was not interested enough to continue then, but now he is asking to play an instrument next summer, so we'll see. He is 6 yrs now.

We started Baseball at 5yrs. They don't keep score until they are 6, but focus on teaching the rules and different positions. My son had a blast, so will be in Baseball again this year--our first year keeping score.

We also started Taekwondo when he was 4.It helps him focus in all areas of his life, improves his coordination, lets off steam, gives him social time, and creates a good deal of structure. He is 6 now and on his 4th belt (Blue Stripe). If he continues, he will earn his Black belt when he is 8 or 9, which would include becoming a mentor. I think that would be great for him b/c he has no siblings. His interest in TKD has never wained, and he is now setting big goals!

I'm not sure what kind of dance you should try, but I would think about what you are hoping for him to get out of it. Do you just want it to be fun, or do you hope for him to perform or compete, or do you want him to work on focus and coordination? Once you know what you want, interview several schools for a good fit.
When we were interviewing for Martial Arts schools, the one we ended up with asked us those questions when they designed our son's curriculum (we have a combo of classes and private mentor training because our son has recently decided he wants to go to Junior Olympics. I'm not sure about that, but there is no use in holding him back).

Johnny - posted on 12/06/2010

My daughter started swimming lessons at 4 months and I've been taking her to story time at the library since she was born (well, a few days after ;-P) We went to a Mommy Sing-a-long class starting when she was around 6 months. But both the library & the singing are obviously for moms to entertain the wee ones and get a bit of socialization for ourselves too.



When she learned to walk, we enrolled her in a music & movers class, which was very age appropriate. Since then, she's taken more swimming, music, art (not too successful), soccer and dancing stuff. Right now, she is enrolled in a class called "Tiny Trains" where they have open play, crafts, storytime & songs with her grandpa, a dancing class with me, and karate with her father (she's 28 months). They are all designed for her age group and she loves them. We are a little worried that she's going to be upset about the break from "Tiny Trains" over the holidays. I'm taking her out of the dance class because I'm a bit bored by it now. So we're going to try Toddler Yoga in the spring. And more karate classes because she's obsessed. She asks her papa to practice with her every night.



I do NOT expect her to become a future soccer star, yoga guru or Olympic swimmer. I just want her to have a chance to have fun, and figure out what she enjoys doing. I actually withdrew her from art class in October simply because it didn't seem like she was enjoying it. We'll try again when she's older, and see how it goes.

Teresa - posted on 12/06/2010

3 is fine if that's what you want.

The girls were 5.5 when they started gymnastics (the summer after K). They wanted to start a little earlier, but since they were young K kids I wanted to wait til the school year was over. They're still in it and they turn 9 next Monday.

My son will most likely start soccer at either 4 (the first year he's eligible) or 5... IF he's still as interested in soccer at that time as he is now.

Erin - posted on 12/06/2010

My daughter will be starting Baby Ballerinas when she is 2.5yr (so mid-way through next year). If she doesn't enjoy it, I will pull her out, but I think that's unlikely - she's a total show-off lol. She's also starting swimming lessons (again - she has missed this year because of chronic tonsillitis) in the new year.

As for competitive sport, I'm planning on putting her in Little Athletics at 3 or 4 and we'll go from there. My brother and I started sport at that age and it continued to play a large role in our lives until we became adults.

Amber - posted on 12/06/2010

I think it depends on the child and the activity.
My son started soccer when he was 3, but it was just a fun preschool soccer. And it was something that he wanted to do. He's also done swimming and we bought him a set of child sized drums for his 4th birthday.
We made sure that he wanted to do every activity that he has done. If at any point he doesn't want to anymore, he doesn't have to. We make him finish the sessions (7weeks at a time) and he doesn't have to do another session.
I don't think that any parent should ever force a child to take unwanted lessons just so they can be good at something.

Amanda - posted on 12/06/2010

Where we live the child has to be 3 or potty trained to be in a dance class. I would put my almost 7 yr old son in dance but he absolutley refuses it. I told him ballet would help if he wanted to do football and he still disagrees. My oldest daughter who is 4 has been in dance almost 2 yrs and adores it! I think with dance as soon as your child is potty trained is a good thing to put a child in. It's good for their coordination and plus it's so fun watching them perform! We put our son in baseball this last summer and he was awesome! :)

Sapphire - posted on 12/06/2010

My son was 4 when he started sports and gymanstics on a regular basis. We're taking this up-coming season off. I need a break!

Candi - posted on 12/06/2010

We put my son in Cub Scouts at 6. Thats the earliest they can start. My oldest daughter was 5 when she started ballet. Now she is 10 and still does ballet and just added jazz to her schedule. My youngest daughter is 5 and she started dance at 3. She switches from ballet to tap. She likes it, but its not her favorite thing. She only agrees to go b/c she wants to be in recitals.

Becky - posted on 12/06/2010

Yep, every child is different. My oldest was 4 when she started dance. My middle child started t-ball at 5. We started soccer with him earlier, but he just wasn't ready for it. My youngest is 4 and has been in dance since she was 3, swimming at 2, and now does cheerleading. I often wonder if we are pushing her too hard, but she's always asking to go and she runs to her classrooms. This is also a child who gets very upset when she doesn't have school and always has to be doing something. The dance studio my daughter goes to recently added a boys hip hop class. Their dance at the recital was really cute, they did a pirate theme. I do think most of the boys were a little bit younger. Most around here have the younger ones start out in tap.

April - posted on 12/06/2010

my son takes baby gymnastics classes...he will be 2 this month. He loves his "jumping class" as he calls it. i am looking for a music class too, but they don't have one around here. In the spring, I will sign him up for swimming.

Barb - posted on 12/06/2010

When Jr was 3 his interests changed rather rapidly. He went from pounding on the piano to smearing peanut butter on it in like 2 seconds.

Now he plays piano and guitar beautifully but that didn't really develop until around 10+

Perhaps at 3 a percussion instrument would be a good idea...that you keep at your brothers... that you don't like very much

I'd take him to a dance group that tried out different dances and which ever one he enjoyed, that would be it.

Krista - posted on 12/06/2010

I think three is a good age as long as it's something enjoyable and not too intense or competitive. I plan on putting my child in swimming lessons at that age (I live near water, so swimming lessons are mandatory in my household.) I would also definitely consider martial arts, once he's a little older.

As far as what KIND of dance I would put my son in, I would probably pick a kind of dance that has more of a focus on the kids just expressing themselves and finding their groove, rather than on any particular steps or routines. Usually you can find "toddler dance" programs that just help kids dance and move around and have fun and burn off some energy.

Emily - posted on 12/06/2010

As soon as you believe they can handle the activity and sit still for it, I guess. We just put my son in wrestling and he's 6. We were trying to decide if he was ready, but we gave it a shot. He's handling it well, but doesn't care if he wins or loses and we'd like him to want to win. I think we made the right decision...I just hope he gets that fighting spirit in him next year.