What kind of class for a 2yo?

[Theia]

I'm a single sahm to a wonderful 2yo DD, she is my only so I'm always in uncharted territory. She is active and imaginative. We don't get out as much as I wish. I want to enroll her in a mommy and me type class, but I'm not sure what kind.

- She loves, loves, loves to dance. If she see's a dance video on youtube then she is off trying to imitate. We dance around the house daily, with or without music. It is something she frequently initiates. Dance is one of her favorite words.

- She loves music. I'm not sure how much this is related to it frequently being part of dance or what. She has musical type toys but hasn't show a lot of interest in them other than occasionally. She does like to make noise banging on things, but it's not incessant, thank goodness. Her word for music is a close second to dance.

- We recently went to an open hour at our local gymnastics place. It was her first time and she is a cautious, watch how things are done first type. She really liked it and has been attempting to repeat some of the things she saw there here at home the past week. I want to take her back this week to see what new things she tries.

Developmentally I think she is right where she should be for her age. I know she loves dance, but would a tumbling/gymnastics type class be more helpful? She has good balance for a 2yo, she can do a one-legged dance move that she likes. She is growing and changing in so many ways, and so fast that it really seems like there's not much developmentally that is changing. How do you choose at this age?

I'm fine with any of the classes. The ones I am considering would all require my presence which is what I would want at this age. I want it to be a fun thing that she learns with as well.

So what type of class would you choose for a child like this at this age? Please share your thoughts and experiences.

TYVM

[indigosky]

My DD (also 2) LOVES, loves, loves her Music Together class (http://www.musictogether.com/). Definitely recommended! I know the teacher here always has a free sample class before each term begins -- I'm guessing that's standard so prospective families can check it out.

But it sounds like you can't go wrong with the options you listed!

[butterfly_mommy]

I say swimming. It is really important to learn to swim and feel comfortable in the water, it may help safe a life someday.

Swimming is our number 1 and DS has been in mommy and me swim classes since he was 6 mons and in a few weeks we are starting without mama with an instructor classes (at a fantastic pool).

If I could only choose one thing I would choose swimming.

Then gymnastics, DS loves loves loves to jump and balance. We did gymnastics classes at 18 mons which he loved but had a really hard time waiting his turn and following safety rules so it was a bit frustrating. We missed the next session but I enrolled him again and he starts in 2 weeks. He has more pateince now (hopefully ) and he is way better at understanding and following safety rules.

I love to go to a mommy and me dance class as he loves to dance but our schedule is pretty full at the moment. Maybe in the summer or fall.

Have fun, I love going to classes with DS

We also are going to be doing a yoga class.

DS loved his music class but wants to run around and dance and jump while participating. He hardly ever sits and sings (except when the instruments come out)

[Tjej]

Since your DD LOVES dance so much, I say DANCE!

My DD has been in Swimming at 3yo and it has been a really good experience, and then she kept asking to take a dance class, so I signed her up for one of those and she was IN HEAVEN!

Sooo... I vote for DANCE, or ask her to choose between two classes (maybe go and watch them first too, to help her make a more informed choice).

Tjej

[Theia]

Swimming! Oh, that's a good one. I do want to get her into swimming too. Hmm.... I'll keep that one in consideration. Summer is coming up and I want her to have fun in the water this year. Thanks for the great suggestion.

[momofmine]

I would look for a Musikgarden class.

[ncavillones]

I second Music Together! My daughter and I did it for two sessions and she loved it. We've moved to a new town where there is no MT but we found a different music class, and she continues to love music class.

[aikigypsy]

We also do Music Together -- I'll third that recommendation.

[Theia]

I've looked, and I'm not sure there is a "music together" class in my area. So would you still do an age appropriate music class or something else? I love to hear the specific types within each class group that people love, but not everyone has access to each specific class type. So what would you suggest if you were only able to choose within a very broad category? Thx.

[QuestionGal]

gymboree or The Little Gym. DS has done TLG the past two summers. It combines music, dance, and gymnastics. You can check out a class for free and the summer sessions should be registering soon.

[tankgirl73]

Honestly, I think any of the classes would be great -- the question isn't "which is best for a 2yo", but "which would MY 2yo enjoy". Whichever she enjoys, is fine.

In other words, if you try one, and she isn't happy and enjoying it within, say, 3 weeks (to give her a chance to adjust), then quit and try something else, and don't feel that there's anything "wrong" with that.

It can also depend SO MUCH on the teacher. A gym class for 2yo's is, in general, a great thing. The wrong teacher makes it terrible, though. Same for all the other types of class.

I'm a music teacher, so I'm biased towards music classes. My son is a competitive gymnast, so I'm biased towards gym classes. My daughter is a dancer, so I'm biased towards dance classes... heh...

FWIW, I don't know how likely you are to find a "mommy and me" dance class. They probably do exist, but they are less common than music or gym, in my experience. When my son was 2, we did a dance class -- where parents sat and observed, but did not participate, other than constantly having to 'rescue' kids who were distracted, or crying, or whatever. Honestly, parts of it were kind of cute, but the teacher wasn't fantastic, some of the parents were atrocious (I actually saw a mom swat her child who didn't want to dance that day, and then roughly push her out into the class... like it's some kind of parenting competition to have bragging rights that MY child PARTICIPATES... )... It wasn't worth our time, in the end.

Now my daughter is a DANCER. Like you said, she's always trying to imitate the dance moves she sees, and does it all. day. long. Last year, when she was turning 2, we checked into the local dance studio, but they had no mommy-and-me classes, and their preschool classes only started at age 3. So she started classes this past fall -- she didn't turn 3 until December, but that's okay with them. She has loved it, thrived in it, is learning TONS too...

So I'd be kind of inclined to suggest waiting for a dance class, until she's old enough to do it on her own. But do check what local dance schools offer, there might be something for her. Otherwise, a Kindermusik or MYC kind of thing would be great, and open gym programs, and toddler swim programs... really, anything that she enjoys. At this age it's more about the fun and enjoyment than about "learning a skill" -- though some of that MIGHT happen along the way, it also might not heh.