My toddler doesn’t do enough activities?

My DD (almost 3) does swimming classes which have been great. Otherwise it’s pre school in the mornings and a mix of playgroups/park/play dates/soft play in the afternoon. We make the most of weekends and go to the beach in summer/aquarium/RHS etc… things to get us out of the house, but no structured activities.

Welcome to Mum guilt. Too many activities. Not enough activities. Too much nursery. Not enough nursery. Too much independent play. Not enough independent play. Too many snacks. Not enough snacks. Too much "academic" work. Not enough "academic" work. Too many risks. Not enough risks.

Its never ending!

Mine didn't attend ANY classes or activities at all, nor did he attend nursery! It's had absolutely no effect at all!

Sounds like he's doing just fine!
Some parents enrol their child in every activity known to man from a very early age, but most sensible folk wait until early primary and start gradually.

Swimming is the only activity needed as I see it as an essential life skill, even then you can still wait if you can’t afford it. If your taking him swimming as a family for now that’s more than enough.

once he starts school there will be loads to do.

he sounds like he’s having lots of family time which I think is far more important at this age.

The only class I think was really, really worth it was baby signing. DD started signing from 6 months and it made life so much easier that she could tell me exactly what she wanted, we avoided pretty much all tantrums as she could communicate in sentences way before she could say them

@Korr As your dc goes to nursery is there time? Sounds like competitive parenting to me. Dc don’t make friends as toddlers and we didn’t have swimming lessons here until 3/4. What you do sounds fine to me. We did always go to the library though. Books you read to dc greatly improves language. It’s 1/1 time which nursery isn’t.

I think baby/toddler classes of any sort are a load of baloney, don't bother!

I wonder if this mum maybe doesn't work and (could be) very slightly green eyed you don't have the time to think about activities for a 2 year old ☺️

@JellyBabiesSaveLives so true!

A 2.5 year old does not need any expensive activities. Mine were both at home at this age and mainly went to playgroups, parks and for walks in the woods. They loved it. Save your money for when they are a bit older and want to try out some more structured clubs and activities.

He is not even 3 yet - he honestly doesn’t need loads of structured activities. My DS was about 3.5 when he started his swimming lessons and he did gymnastics on a Saturday morning, as a Dr recommended it for his balance and toe walking (turns out he has dyspraxia).

We did similar to you at 2.5 - swimming, walking, park, the odd soft play. We went to the library, free museums, meals out, picnics in the summer etc. We would have a drive out in the summer and go to a beach and take a packed lunch and get ice-cream.

He is 19 now and still talks about the fun we had putting our wellies on when it rained and went jumping in puddles.

My DC weren't even at nursery at that age, let alone any other 'structured' activities. We went to 2 toddler groups most weeks. Then park/library/swimming/feeding the ducks etc as the mood took us.

Organisations will offer classes if parents ask for it. However they are not specialists in early years.

The groups are great for the parents and if they have an older child already doing the activity then it's normal for the tot to want a go too.

It's also a great way for working parents to get to know other parents of similar aged children if they can't go to groups during the working week.

I can tell you now though tha there was no difference (after a month) in my DD that started Baby ballet at 2 years and the girls that started in he same class as her when she was 6.

Swimming I took DD very regularly until she was 7 and taught her myself she went in straight at Grade 4, worked on her technique and was in a competitive swim team within a year. Plenty of others in that Grade 4 class had had lessons for years and years, group lessons are rubbish at teaching little ones to swim and they get hardly any actual swim time.

This is me! Also work 4 days. My DD is nearly 2.
You will always hear of people who do other activities, and sometimes I imagine it's because the parent wants to get out the house more than anything!
My DS has only just started doing football and he's 5 and in year R.
If you're happy being at home, going to the shops, walks etc on your day off stick to it!
Remember it's our day off as much as your DC's.
Also I've just remembered I took DS to a dance class thing when he was 2, it was for 2-4 year olds, and literally they just ran around and would totally forget about it the next day. Age 2 is all about getting through it 😂

You could take him to the library. Reading to toddlers - if they are interested- is of great benefit for them.

Sounds like a lovely routine for a toddler. As a mum of a 20 year old and a nearly 18 year old I agree with @MrsTerryPratchett
Its largely pointless before 6 or 7.

"Back in my day" kids did nothing, bar perhaps brownies or dance or something, and some of the lads played football. But the vast majority did school and that was it. We all turned out fine.

Classes are entirely optional. It's more to keep you sane

The only structured activity ours did at this age was swimming lessons once a week. We started at 6 months old as we felt it was a non-negotiable life skill (I can’t swim as an adult so don’t want my kids in the same position), but they did nothing else until they were school age and things like Rainbows, sports clubs, etc came along.

Edited to add we did do stuff like Baby Yoga when they were tiny, but that was more for my benefit to talk to other adults!

Firstborn goes to baby singing, second child goes to the park, third child goes to the supermarket. You're just ahead of the game.

<sniggers>

I wasted so much money with my eldest going to pointless activities (except swimming lessons). Totally futile before the age of about 6

If he's at nursery you don't need them.

That’s absolutely ridiculous - my kids were raised in the 90’s and at that age it was playgroup twice a week, trips to the park and the occasional pub/restaurant garden where they mixed with other children. They are all fully functioning members of society! 😄