Two year old doing tennis!

[Twohatsnocoat]

I know it’s really none of my business but I’m in disbelief. I have 2 DS, one is 4 and the other is 2, we live in Scotland so DS1 is due to start primary 1 after summer and DS2 will start nursery.
There Is a group chat with all the parents in the pre-school room, and today one mum messaged in asking if anyone with a 2 or 3 year old would be interested in joining a tots tennis next school year, she said her child (who won’t even start nursery until next spring as is a young 2!) will be doing it along with 2 others but the lady running it would rather it be 4 kids!!
Im perplexed, can 2 year olds play any form of tennis?? My 2 year old is 3 in June so 8 months older than hers and there is no way he could take the instruction required or have the coordination to be any good at anything tennis related!!
Also to add they’ve set it up during normal nursery hours which will exclude lots of kids (30 hours free for all kids so most kids are in 8.45-2.45, quite a lot leave after lunch at 1 though).
AIBU to think it’s absurd having semi-private/small group tennis coaching for 2/3 year olds? Heck I can hardly imagine my 4 year old doing it!!

Both my DC started at 3. Nothing wrong in getting them started with a sport at that age, it’s just about having fun and starting a few basics. They’re not even holding a racket for half the time at that age.

I started DC1 in little kickers at 2 and it was pretty pointless. But by 3 they were much more interested in joining in with an activity.

My son is 2 and goes to tots tennis. It’s age appropriate teaching and activities that are related to tennis. Not learning to serve and playing big rallies! I think the point (in addition to have fun) is to develop their hand eye coordination. Why don’t you try it?

I think it’s fine. Why is it different to tots ballet or tots gymnastics etc? There are plenty of those about.

Don't like the idea then don't sign your DC up

Simple

“there is no way he could take the instruction required or have the coordination to be any good at anything tennis related!!”

Isn’t that the point? How do you get used to following instruction or develop gross motor skills, if not by having a go?

It’s just a tennis theme to a physical fun session. Maybe they’ll balance balls on large kids tennis rackets 🤷🏻‍♀️ Doesn’t really matter as long as it’s fun.

When kids are babies and you take them to singing group at the library, you don’t say, “but they don’t have the vocal control for scales!”

My younger DD learnt tennis at preschool, age 3. It amused me. They used Teddy bears instead of balls.

Mine did tots tennis. It’s just a fun activity in which they practice tennis like skills and hand/eye coordination, they don’t get them doing rallies or matches! Things like hitting balloons with the racquet or balancing bean bags on the racquet which walking around obstacles. They loved it.

Mine started riding horses at two, doesn’t mean they’re ready to jump badminton, it’s just a bit of fun.

Just sounds like a sports-flavoured toddler group, to be honest. You get them for dance, gymnastics, football, horse-riding, so why not tennis?

Fair enough if you don't fancy it, but its not that weird of an idea.

It's a money making business!

its like any activity. lots of games. burns up lots of energy. great fun

My DC absolutely loved Tots Tennis. It was mostly just games and fun activities and they probably enjoyed it more than any other activity they went to at the time.

Anything for that age group is like herding cats, basically. If they are having fun there is no harm in it, but they will learn diddly squat.

I agree - baby ballet is little squidgy kids wearing tiny tutus and pointing their toes in between waddling around to music and learning a bit of coordination, balance and play - this will be little squidgy kids wearing tiny white outfits/sportswear and waddling around with foam balls to learn a bit of coordination, balance and play.

It's not the Bolshoi vs. Queens Juniors on offer - it's just themed fun for cute little kids that might end up being something they continue at 5 and beyond, but just as easily might not.

Never too early to work on your topspin.

Not too different in principle to soccer tots - my dd used to go to tots hockey - they practise running cone to cone, using the stick to push a (large, light) ball, counting by tapping etc - it's just another toddler group. Parents are heavily involved in helping the tots follow the instructions in my experience but it is a fun activity and introduces another way to play together

It's all based on having fun and learning hand to eye co-ordination using fun games. It's unlikely they will even use a racket for many of the lessons.
My son started at 2 and is now late teens and an outstanding player.
Tennis has given him some amazing opportunities in life that many others his age could only dream of.
Let them have a go, its just fun at that age.

I don't really see why this would be odd. They have those Tumble Tots classes where two-year-olds jump about trying to do forward rolls on mats and try to walk on a balance beam. A toddler tennis class is to tennis what Tumble Tots is to gymnastics.

They're not going to be doing court drills and learning about topspin. I imagine it will mainly be just be running about bouncing balls and flailing at them with a little paddle. The aim will just be for them to have fun, learn a bit of eye-hand coordination and enjoy being praised every time they manage to hit the ball.

One of mine started at 3, only really as desperate to join in with elder sibling. From 4 though it was definitely worth doing. Can actually hit the ball nicely, fore and backhand etc.

Pointless at 2 though.

It's socialisation, developmental and fun.

All good.

Oh I think this is such a good thing for little ones to do , the more you open up to them , surely it's better for them . Grab the chance with both hands , the more chance or widening their circle is got to be better .