My toddler doesn’t do enough activities?

[Korr]

Ds 2.5 goes to nursery four days, then a day with me in the week to do soft play or food shop etc. Weekends sometimes swimming (not a lesson), walk, meal out, a national trust etc. Apparently by now he should be attending activities like rugby toys or swim class or something structured? Any opinions on this? We have no money left after nursery!

I honestly wouldn't het sucked into all this stuff until at least year 1.

Who told you that OP?

Toddler activities are more for the parents. Many people including me find it hard to keep a toddler entertained off our own back so use activities to help. They aren't necessary in of themselves.

Who said this? Sounds like he is doing plenty to keep him active and stimulated

Who has said that he should be doing structured classes? This all sounds great and plenty of variation and stimulation.

And surely he's doing structured stuff at least some of the time at nursery.

says who? It sounds like he has a fabulous routine.

Mine turned 2 in December. He does full time nursery 5 days per week, football class on Saturday mornings and swimming lessons on Sunday mornings.

An idiot, I'm assuming.

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! 😄

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

<sniggers>

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

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

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!

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

"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.

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.

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

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 😂

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.

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.

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.

Someone at a toddler class was surprised we hadn’t started any yet

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.

@JellyBabiesSaveLives so true!