2 year old won't listen at gymnastics

[Tanito279]

My 2 year old DD has been going to a gymnastics class on and off for 6 months. We've been to about 20 classes. The teachers are very patient and I stay with her. The problem is all she wants to do is run around by herself. She won't listen at all. She'll take part if she wants to and is very good, but that's 1/3 of each class. She's becoming a really bad influence on other children now and I don't know what to do. Janet Lansbury says my DD is just too young and I should forget the classes. But there are younger children there who listen perfectly (eg stand on the red spot, run to get a blue beanbag).
At home we have few rules because it's just the 2 of us and we suit each other. She isn't naughty and can play with whatever toys she wants. When we go out she will walk next to me and rarely runs away.
The timing of the class is awkward because it's 1:45-2:45 and that's normally nap time. But we live in a small town and it's the only class on my day off.
I've tried giving constant praise, timeouts and, today, I just took her home after 20 mins. I don't know if I can face going back. Any tips?

[rainydaygrey]

I don't know the answer, but children develop at different speeds. My two always listened, followed instructions etc and were never "naughty" or inattentive at that age. It's rare It's nothing to do with them being "good" or naughty, they are just fairly quiet and eager to please. Some kids
are quite a bit older before they're ready for that sort of thing. I'd just wait a bit until she's a bit older.

[fiftyandfat]

I honestly wouldn't waste money taking 2 year old to a class of any kind.

She would be much happier going for a walk in the park.

[Pico2]

An hour is way too long for a 2 yo to do gymnastics for. I've watched 4&5 yo do an hour and some struggled. I doubt your DD would actually enjoy an hour of such structure.

[Oliversmumsarmy]

Aged 2 ds was running around with a blanket over his head until he collided with a wall and fell down laughing.

Aged 2 a friends dd had taught herself to read.

Every child is different. If she wants to run around then let her. Timeout sounds a bit harsh for playing up in a gymnastics class.

[Pico2]

Even worse that it's nap time. How well would you perform for 1 hour after your bedtime?

[neolara]

I wouldn't bother going. Most 2 year olds don't do what they are told. My dcs point blank refused to join in any organised activities at that age. It wasn't by any means a sign of delinquancy! They are exceptionally well behaved 6, 8 and 11 year olds. It's just at age 2 it's completely developmentally appropriate to be self-directed for the vast majority of the time. You sort of ease them in gently to the idea of doing what they are told with the aim of generally being able to follow instructions by the age of 4 / 5. Yes, some 2year olds will do what they are told / sit quietly for longish periods of time, but I promise, you, the vast majority won't.

I'd go and run around the park or head off to a play group or soft play. Plenty of time for structured gym classes when they are older. And certainly don't feel bad about it.

[AuntieStella]

My tip would be to stop for a year and then try again.

Your DD does not sound ready for a structured class (and at 2, I think that's normal).

[ShotgunNotDoingThePans]

Agree a walk in the park would be more enjoyable/less stressful for everyone. Feeding the ducks as a bonus.

[ExasperatedAlmostAlways]

Just leave it a year and try again.

My dd started dancing at 3, it was right in the middle of when she sometimes napped. She went twice and it was apparent she was too tired and still too young and wasnt enjoying it so we stopped.

All kids are different t and have different attention spans, I wouldn't get upset about this. Just try again in 6months to a year. She might not ever be interested in gymnastics though.

[InQuiteAPickle]

I'd wait till she's a bit older too. If she's not listening it's probably because she's not interested in doing it. The children who do listen are probably engaging because they are interested in what they're doing? It's not because she's being naughty, she's more interested in running around (can you be "naughty" at 2? I ask that as the parent of the most difficult two year old EVER - everything was a fight. She's nearly 5 now and is positively an Angel compared to when she was 2 ).

[CocktailQueen]

Gymnastics is meant to be fun and exercise. I think 2 is a bit young - for many kids - to be sitting still, listening, when there is exciting equipment to play on. I'd cancel the structured gym class at the mo and maybe go to a play gym at the gym instead - esp. if the class is at nap time!!

Plenty of time for gymnastics later!

[KoalaDownUnder]

My friend was in an almost identical situation. Her paediatrician said not to bother going back.

There is nothing she can't do in the park at 2, really.

[thebestfurchinchilla]

It's very simple. She's too young. Not ready to sit still and listen to instructions. Why are you putting her and yourself through this? Take her to the park or swimming.

[Jw35]

Waste of time I think. Sounds like it's causing disharmony in an otherwise happy home! She's not other kids but neither is she naughty. Just being two!

[hippoherostandinghere]

She is 2. 2!! Give it a break, there's plenty of time for activities when she's a suitable age.

[TendonQueen]

Doesn't matter if other kids appear to be all right with it or not. Yours isn't, and that seems normal at 2 to me. My DS is very bright and well behaved, but wasn't ready at that age for an hour long class of anything. It's not a reflection of anything negative about you child.

[TheAuthoress]

My DD is 2 and I know she'd behave in the same way as yours. I haven't taken her to any classes and I don't intend to for a couple of years, I feel it would be a waste of time and as other posters have said, she wouldn't do anything she couldn't do in the park / national trust forest etc anyway.

I think you should just leave it, it's presumably costing you money and she isn't getting anything out of it by the sounds of it, and it's making you feel stressed.

[Tanito279]

Thank you all. I feel like I've failed if I stop taking her. Like I can't teach her any sort of discipline. I thought that one hour a week of something structured with other children would be good.

[TendonQueen]

You could see it instead as a success to stop putting her, and you, through something neither of you currently enjoys because you feel like you should. Let her have a nap instead - success!

[CiderwithBuda]

She is far too young. Most two year olds are far too young for any kind of structured class. They need to be running about and having fun. We start them at structured school far too young in this country. Just let her be a two year old and run about and play.

[SteamPunkGoth]

Oh she's 2. Poor little thing. She can't help it. She will be at school in a few years time & will have to follow a structured routine then. Let her be a baby for now.

[SoDiana]

Embrace her defiance. Aged two she already knows that she doesn't want to do gymnastics. That takes strength of character.

You could have a future president on your hands.

[Tanito279]

Ok thank you. I guess if you all say the same thing then I would be very stupid not to listen. Goodbye gymnastics (for now at least).
Ps. I wasn't taking her in the hope that she'll be an Olympic gymnast. It just seemed a fun type of exercise.

[Lozza1990]

She's 2 for crying out loud! Just because other kids are doing it doesn't mean she will, it's very normal for a 2 year old to not really have an attention span or to 'listen'. She's way to young to even benefit from any sort of classes.