Son not listening in Rugbytots

[blinkone82]

My son was the only one there today who didn't seem to be listening/wanted to just do whatever he wanted to do.

It's his first week this week, so I can only hope that's the reason. However, most of the children there were new too.

Any advice or solidarity?

Don’t panic, lots of children are like this for the first few weeks, strange place, strange children, strange adults isn’t exactly great for concentration. My son took a good 6-8 weeks to listen to anything at rugby tots, and I’m the coach!

You’re expecting too much from him, he’s only little. Let him enjoy himself. My 6 year old started soccer - he keeps picking up the ball - he’s the only one who does it - if it was my first kid I’d be reading the parenting books and posting on mumsnet - he’s my 4th, my expectations are well and truly managed!

That's so little!

He's only three!

These activities are about making money, not what is best for kids.

Here’s some of the things that DH and I tried when DC were that age which worked

-watching the activity on YouTube (ie a rugby match) and talking about how they wear certain clothes then helping DC fo find the clothes they would wear (saved arguments on the day about clothing)
-talked about our expectations (ie listening) and played silly games at home to practice these - one involved any of us clapping and giving an instruction and we all did it. Helped remind DC to listen and follow instructions. We did A LOT of praise for this then praised again at the end of the activity.

• reading a story where things didn’t go to plan (ie Dogger) and how sad Joe is when he loses his toy dog to help DC remember not to take things to the activity or to remember to bring things home!
• visited the area (we did a field like the one football was at) and practiced not running too far/waiting for each other/listening/giving instructions to each other.
• talked a lot about what DC might expect when they were there did some imaginary play about it.

It was a lot of work but generally seemed to help DC to settle/listen/join in when they were somewhere new.

Does he like it? If not stop.

I used to coach rugby tots. This is completely normal. Kids are still all over the place development wise and with their own personalities so try not to compare! I'd take the block and see how it goes, many "get it" after a few weeks. It might just be 6 months too early for him or it might be not suited to him at all.

He’s just little and not ready for that sort of instruction. Are they happy for him to listen a bit/not at all and just play? If so- there’s no issue. If not- take him out. There’s no problem here, he’s just young.