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Original poster

would you/do you leave your 2.5 yo at a dance class?

23 replies

JiminyCricket · 16/01/2006 21:46

Some of dd's little friends are going to go. I spoke to the lady - she and an assistant take up to about twelve pre-schoolers for the class. Mums aren't allowed to stay because the room is small and it distracts the kids. I don't think dd would stay as she's a bit limpet like at the mo anyway, we could go and take a look for one class (tho she seemed concerned this would then make every other Mum demand to stay and watch). The classes seem popular. I don't think its for us, tbh, but wondered if other mums/dd's would do this at this age?

OP posts:

Sallystrawberry · 16/01/2006 21:47

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LIZS · 16/01/2006 21:49

We had this with ballet with dd at just 3. Desperate to do it but wouldn't let me leave the room even to watch through the observation window. So we abandoned it before I had to sign her up.

Feistybird · 16/01/2006 21:50

Didn't take my dd1 till she was almost 4 and by then she was happy for me to leave. Left dd2 just before she was 3 as she had dd1 and again, was happy for me to leave her.

Skribble · 16/01/2006 21:51

This seems to be the norm for dance classes, we are lucky that there is a cafe on site. DD started when she was older. I would find one that will let her have look t what goes on first or wait until she is older.

DD went to preschool gymnastics at that age where the mums and dads join in. Some kids do better on their own some not, it might help her to be less clingy or make her worse, just don't pay for a whole term up front until she gives it a try.

stitch · 16/01/2006 21:53

no, i wouldnt leave a 2.5 yr old unless with a very good friend, one of my sisters, my parents, mil, or playgroup.

SnowmAngeliz · 16/01/2006 21:54

No.
I inquired about ballet classes when dd was 3 and was told the same so abandoned the idea.

thewomanwhothoughtshewasahat · 16/01/2006 21:56

both mine went to a pre-school class at about 2 and a half-three. I stayed outside in the hall bit and watched or popped downstairs to the cafe for a coffee. they were fine

FrannytheQuinoaEater · 16/01/2006 21:57

No, same here as above. I find it most odd tbh, how many helpers do they have at these classes? What does a teacher do if a child needs the toilet, or becomes upset? Presumably they just have to sit and cry in the corner till their mum gets back?

NannyL · 16/01/2006 21:58

at my little charges ballet they have to be left.

My girl started aged 2 3/4 (shes now 3 1/2) all the girls in her class are her age (mostly younger)

they all get on fine and they love it. Parenst are ONLY allowed to watch on their very last session (and the "show" they do at the end of every half term)

there are about 12 of them and 1 teacher and 2 assistants!

fruitful · 16/01/2006 21:59

Dd was 3yr4mo when I started leaving her, and she is very confident and keen for me to go away and let her be all grown-up. Which is useful as there is no way ds (11mo) would cope with staying. We walk to the park 5 minutes away (with mobile phone switched on).

I would check out how geared-up they are for looking after little ones (as opposed to teaching them ballet). Are you going to be on-site? What are they going to do if she sits down and cries? Do they take them to the loo if they need to go? etc

tamum · 16/01/2006 22:05

Dd started at just under 3 and was happy to be left (though ds would never have been, even if he had been into ballet). In answer to the question about ratios, there were about 15 little girls, 2 teachers, 3 helpers (sixth form age ballet pupils) and one piano teacher. Parents nearly all stayed in the next room and one of the teachers would come and get the parent if a child was crying. If there was no parent there then one of the helpers would sit out and cuddle the child.

Piffle · 16/01/2006 22:09

No way I'd stay

Original poster

JiminyCricket · 16/01/2006 22:23

Not sure if we can stay in the same building, but probably as I think it has some public-ish areas (no cafe!) She says her assistant takes them to the toilet etc if they need to go.

OP posts:

Passionflower · 16/01/2006 23:01

I waited till DD1 was four and starting school for this reason and also because I think they tire of it if you start them too young. I am making DD2 wait until she starts school, she will be 4.5.

When they were 2.5 we did kiddy kapers and fundance together. I think 2.5 is too young for activities without a familiar carer.

handlemecarefully · 16/01/2006 23:36

my dd would have been really upset if I had left her at this age....she would have been okay if she had been attending the dance class for several weeks and would be happy to wave me off in those circumstances, but it would have taken a few visits before she would have been prepared to see me go...She is now 3.5, but same principle still applies...- she needs to be familiar with a place and the people first.

julienetmum · 16/01/2006 23:51

2.5 is maybe a little young but from 3 onwards I would leave them.

Parents in classes are a nightmare. The children spend more time watching them and looking for approval/worrying about what they are doing and it just degenerates.

If the class has an assistant then they would take the child to the toilet. I imagine they are very used to it.

bobbybobbobbingalong · 17/01/2006 00:30

I'll stick to music classes - you are expected to join in, sing and generally get into it with your child.

Original poster

JiminyCricket · 17/01/2006 10:51

Thanks for your replies - I am only a little torn because I think it would be nice for her to do it with her friends BUT they will start school a whole year ahead of her (August babies, she's september) so if she does stuff like this at three or four she will still have plenty of time, plus if they keep going she can join them later on.

OP posts:

expatinscotland · 17/01/2006 10:52

No.

I started dance at 3 and my mom was there. Well, I went at the same time as my older sister so she jsut hung round w/the other mums.

littleshebear · 17/01/2006 13:23

My DD2 goes to "baby ballet" which is from ages 2-4, she is 3. They can wear what they like and parents stay and sit along thes sides. This is what I remember doing when I did ballet at about 5. They only do 30 mins, half ballet, half tap, and it works really well. Sometimes a child doesn't want to join in and goes back to mum or dad but usually they're all fine and the teacher takes it in her stride.The parents don't seem to distract the children particularly.
I deliberately chose this sort of class for dd2 because dd1 went to a class that was an hour long at the same age and parents were very firmly discouraged from watching - and the uniform code was very strict as well. It just felt inappropriate for her age even though she was fine at being left, and I was quite glad when she gave up, aged 4 - I wonder if she would have carried on a bit longer if it had been more fun?

millie34 · 17/01/2006 20:46

is your 2.5 yo fully toilet trained cause they are not obligated to change nappies etc.
my DD started going to gymnastics recently. she was 3y 3 mth when she first went and we werent allowed to stay either but she was fine.

Original poster

JiminyCricket · 17/01/2006 21:09

yeah my dd has just toilet trained, doing really well but another reason why i don't think it would be the right time for us

OP posts:

Prufrock · 17/01/2006 21:27

I probably wouldn't at 2.5, but i do agree with the principle. DD used to go to ballet lessons where mothers all stayed at the side of the hall and she behaved terribly. Last week we started a new class in new area where mothers aren't allowed (we all sit in a small side room and so are there if our kids are brought out to us to go to the loo) and dd behaved impeccably (the mums take it in turns to peek through the crack of the door!

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