Pre schooler activities.

[wingingit987]

Hi I didn't no where else to post so I'd post here.

My lo tuns 3 last month. We have been looking into activities that he could join mostly swimming or football. We're booked in for football but I'm abit worried about how he's going to cope on his own in these classes.

He's been going to nursery since 9 months and has now moved into the preschool room. I'm sure he is able to do it on his owners follow instructions except when he's with me. What were your experiences like.

but I'm abit worried about how he's going to cope on his own in these classes.

which is precisely why most classes have a lower age limit on them.
5 weeks ago your child was a 2 year old.
Children who are just turning three are not developmentally ready for formal learning. The curriculum at Nursery (the EYFS) works on a basis of the educators following the children's interests and the adults joining in the dcs' play, not trying to instruct them in certain skills.
Most swimming teachers won't let learners join lessons until they have turned 4 (obviously excluding the parent groups which doesn't seem to be what you are talking about?).

We do football with Little Kickers with DD (3 years) and the parents are pretty involved in the classes and instructions and activities are made fun and easy to follow. She loves it and it has been good for her confidence. Will you stay with your DS or do you leave him on his own for the classes?
The leaders of the classes will be well used to what works with average 3 year olds and in our experience are not likely to be too formal - also we found DD was very influenced to follow what others were doing and join in, and that made her keen to follow instructions.
See how your DS gets on - hope he enjoys the football!

If they are in full time childcare they are getting huge amount of different activities in the week, learning and mixing with others.

Swimming is obviously good but at 3 just take them and enjoy the water until old enough for classes maybe at 4/5

We have football clubs from 18m around here see them local park with all parents coaxing them to run in right direction! Long as they are out having fun just 3 is still young for class if already in full time provision. Very different if home no pre school and football only time mix with other kids.

DD started swimming as soon as she started 3, having previously been to a parent and child lesson. She was fine! Yes the EYFS is about following their interests but most nurseries will still ask their 2 and 3 year olds to sit for story time or similar.

I think football is a good one to start with as it is hopefully lots of fun and less 'risky' than say swimming. See how he goes for a few weeks and then decide if he is ready to continue or not.

I think if you wait till the January intake you might have better luck with activities. There's such a big difference between just turned 3 and 3.5.

DS1 (who was also used to following instructions at nursery, and tbh had done baby swimming) managed fine at 'real' swimming lessons at 3.5. We didn't have to get in the water with him - the youngest age group was 3.5-5 year olds.

At this age, the best activities he could do are things where you are also there. He'd get more out of kicking a ball back and forth to you or going in the swimming pool with you each week. Near me there are also art and music groups for this age group, which are done with the parents there to help and talk with them at the same time.

The groups are usually fairly good at staging the interaction according to age range.

DS has done rugby tots since he was 2.5ish. In that age group, lots of parent participation was expected. He's now in the 3.5-5 yr group and the kids are much better at listening to the coaches and interacting with each other.

if he's been to nursery, he will be used to adult led group activities. Then it's just about practicing joining in, listening etc. When DS first started, he would mostly just run around and do his own thing! But now he listens and joins in. The change in a year as he has grown up has been amazing. I'm sure your boys will love the groups.

Thanks for all the replies.

He's also on the waiting list for speech and language therapy and not everyone always understands what he's saying.

I think I'm going to trial football for two months. He goes to nursery 8-1 3 mornings a week. So I know they do lots of activities there but I was hoping I could start with Football see how he gets on with listening and following instruction and move on to swimming.