DS is, apparently, an independent learner...

[Sorelip]

This will out me to anyone that was at the Sing and Sign class I was at last Saturday. DS, who is 13 months, was probably the oldest child at the class, and he would NOT sit down. No, instead he was:

1. Climbing into bits of the nursery where the class is held, that he shouldn't be. Tables had to be put in front of the barrier to one side of the nursery. He climbed on the tables.
   
   
2. Teaching the other mobile babies to climb up a set of foam stairs
   
   
3. Generally raising hell
   
   The teacher said that DS is an independent learner.
   
   I have a few questions:
   
   Was that code for something else?
   
   Does this mean anything in terms of how I should be raising DS?
   
   How do I deal with it without causing a massive fuss, and wanting the ground to swallow me whole?

[yellowsubmarine53]

All it means is that your ds is more interesting in exploring his mobility than listening to songs at the moment.

I probably wouldn't bother with singing classes at the moment - take him to soft play or the park instead.

[MrsB74]

My dd was exactly the same at baby/toddler groups, running about whilst the others sang! Sitting and singing did not interest her at all at that age, she was too active. She's 3 now and loves singing at Playgroup, so I wouldn't worry.

[Beatrixpotty]

Sounds totally normal.DS1 was exactly the same.Give sing & sign a miss and do something else.Some toddlers sit quietly,others don't,don't read anything into it.DS1 has always been like that but now is 3 and at pre-school can sit still,concentrate,co-operate & comes home singing new songs and doing all the actions..time flies and sooner than you know it your DS will be doing the same.

[Iggly]

Ds was the same. We spent a lot of time in the park!

[lola88]

DS is 11 mo and exactly the same i really like this independant learner thing i think thats what DS is like he has no interest in sitting being shown how to do something he'd rather explore the world in his own way.

Lots of kids are the same luckily for me another baby that goes to our groups is the same so i'm not the only one running about like a mad woman trying to stop him wrecking the place :)

[Sorelip]

So my plan of action is to take him to the park regularly and find a soft play area, as well as take him to a playgroup, which he has been to before and really enjoys. I'll still be taking him to sing and sign because I paid for 10 lessons, but I'll be bringing an extra person (SIL, DM and DH - whoever is available) so I can learn the signs, while they run around after him. All have volunteered btw, I'm not forcing them!

Thank you for reassuring me that DS is, for want of a better word, normal.

[scarlettsmummy2]

Kathy. Piss off.

[Sorelip]

Ohh, what did I miss? Scarlett, what did Kathy say?

[Sorelip]

Oh, a troll. How boring.

[pippinsmum]

Independant learner is a phrase use as part of the EYFS used in nurserys and schools.

[SavoirFaire]

At 13 months your DS is just exploring. And you haven't outed yourself since there is at least one child like this in every music class country-wide. Trust me.

[QTPie]

DS was (when we did Sing and Sign - 7 months until about 13 months old) and is still pretty much (just turned 3 yesterday) EXACTLY the same.

To be honest,we did two terms of Sing and Sign, but it seemed absolutely pointless to me. We started doing Tumble Tots (and then moved to a small independent gym that offered open play and classes) and going to the park more. We already did swimming. DS is a doer and an explorer and - for both of our sanity - I have embraced it. Yes, we read lots at home and he does drawing and sticking and baking at home, but we do active classes out.

I really wouldn't worry at all - I actually think that an "independent learner" is a fantastic thing in many ways. Yes - when they get older - they do need to be able to listen/follow/focus (and they will do), but an inquisitive mind and independence are great attributes (if challenging at times... ;) )

[mathanxiety]

I took DD1 and DS and then DD3 to gym and swim when they were all at that age. The gym session should have been called 'herding cats'. They all did better in the water -- the swimming lady always succeeded in getting through her planned activities and songs; the toddlers were all bit wary of 'independent learning' in the aquatic environment

DD3 was inclined to raise hell at library storytime but then that was her MO everywhere. I wish someone had called her an independent learner. I used to think she was a holy terror. When she found something she loved, she got her teeth stuck into it and really went for it. Lucky for everyone concerned, schoolwork was (finally) her thing. She is grand now, at 14.

DD4 I never really took anywhere except the park, which she loved.

[MrsJamin]

DS1 was like this at baby singing sessions, I gave up going and felt pretty deflated that he didn't have a good concentration span etc. However years of preschool, parks, soft play have done wonders and now he's in reception class he's already writing short sentences and reading on the third level.