Help me choose an activity for my 3 year old!

[SillySausage81]

I want my 3 year old to do an activity, and I can't choose between musical theatre and gymnastics. She goes to nursery 3 days a week but I feel the other 2 weekdays are very boring for her. She watches way too much television because it's the only way I can get any housework done and be sure she's not destroying the house or doing something dangerous.

She loves climbing, jumping, forward rolls. She was absolutely transfixed by a much older girl at the park the other day who was showing off her gymnastics moves on the climbing frame, and trying to copy her. Then again, she is also always singing and dancing and putting on "shows".

I know it's a very personal choice and no one can make the decision for us, but I'm just looking for any personal experiences to help us choose. Which would YOU choose if it were you or your child?

I don’t like the culture of gymnastics so unless DD begs, I won’t be offering it as an option.

I have a friend who runs drama classes so I’d consider that. My DD is also 3 and does horse riding (because I have one) and might start dancing when she is 4 but at the moment I can’t make the sessions.

I would say dance classes? It sort of combines gymnastics and music and depending on what style of dance you chose for her many styles include gymnastics so she would be learning flips and things.

Another vote for drama/theatre.

The culture of organised gymnastics can be really unpleasant so I'd be hesitant to get too deeply involved. If your DD enjoys the fun, physical activities in gymnastics, there might be an informal activity session she could go to. Our local sports facility has twice-weekly 'Play Gym' where under-5s and their parents can go and basically do soft play with some gym equipment included, like balance beams and trampolines.

Drama/theatre could give her more opportunities to develop creative skills and confidence, and encourages social skills too. It's maybe a broader based option, so she could try different aspects of performing and maybe even find out about behind the scenes stuff like making sets.

She’s 3!

Not gymnastics unless she was begging because the culture is awful. So of the 2 musical theatre but ideally I’d do ballet. 3 is a good age to start and the basics are very transferable to other dance styles, theatre and even gymnastics if she does push for that when she’s a bit older.

could you tell me a bit more about the culture of gymnastics? I’m literally clueless, so any information would be welcome.

https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/other-sports/news/29877/12635046/british-gymnastics-rocked-by-abuse-report-starved-thirsty-body-shamed-and-punished

Yes gymnastics seems quite abusive. I wouldn't do that.

I took my eldest to gymnastics at 3.

Some things to hear in mind:

• you have to do it with them when they are small - you work your way round together.
• it is a highly competitive environment. We stopped taking DD when she was 4. She has asked to go back but we are putting it off for now. They are very focussed on the very best in the class and I was frustrated that DD wasn't really getting her fair share of attention/use of the equipment. I never wanted her to be an Olympic gymnast, I was just looking to boost her physical confidence and balance, but they are really only interestesd in those that will continue to competitions.
• it's it's LOT of time waiting for your turn e.g. they might be in groups of 6. So they are queueing 5/6 of the time and only on the equipment 1/6. That's quite a lot of queueing when it's not cheap!

Musical theatre groups tend to be more inclusive and have a more positive attitude towards different body types etc. we dont have any near is for young age groups, but if we did DD would go.

There is a preschool gymnastics style group in one of the villages here that is lovely, and not worrying - sort of like tumble tots but older kids. That’s ok. It’s very light touch. They do parties as well as regular classes.

But the proper gymnastics club in town is not inclusive, very old school. And yes I’d suspect to be part of the abusive gymnastics culture issue. All about being thin, being the best at all costs right from the start. It’s just not something I want for DD. Dance can be a bit iffy to be fair too. I did ballet at very fun classes as a child, but some ballet schools especially can be very competitive and don’t instill healthy habits. I think you have to be so careful with girls. We have a family member who developed anorexia at a very young age and I am determined to only present DD with the right sort of environments. You can’t stop exposure completely obviously but I don’t want to encourage any disordered ways of thinking.

I am hoping she’s more drawn down the horses, young farmers, outdoorsy route like her mother. But we may join our friends drama group (that’s from 5 up) if DD is interested as I totally trust that. It’s the sort where everyone has a go and there’s no auditioning etc.

She might enjoy cheerleading, which is growing in popularity. It has more 'danciness' than traditional gymnastics. Also, there is a real variety of body types there, you just have to be strong and flexible - tall girls, short girls, thin girls, muscle-y girls, even overweight girls at our local club.

I take my 2.5yr old to gymnastics at our local leisure centre. It’s essentially soft play with some gym equipment, dancing to songs and a bit of ‘gymnastics’ basics. It’s very friendly, it’s cheap and the teacher is lovely. I don’t take her because I want her to be a gymnast or think she’ll be good at it. I take her because it’s fun, it teaches her skills including listening and following instructions and we enjoy it together. I wouldn’t put too much pressure on the activity itself, it should just be enjoyed whatever it is. By sending her to gymnastics you’re hardly signing her up to be a member of team GB!! Just judge the vibe of the class/teacher.

Do house work while she's at nursery. When she's at home, spend the time playing with her, taking her out, cooking together. What a 3 yr old wants more than anything else, is one to one parental engagement.

I had no idea about the culture of gymnastics thing but it's definitely true - I took my 3yo a few times and was shocked by how competitive it was - parents shouting at their toddlers for not trying hard enough etc.

If you don't do swimming I would definitely recommend that - of all the things we've done it's really lovely for bonding and spending quality time together (we're in a class where the parent is in the water until age 4).

Thanks for all the comments everyone, I think I’ll do the musical theatre, based on what’s been said here!

I’ve looked and our local sports centre does have drop-in sessions where children can play on the gym equipment, like some people have mentioned, so I’ll try that too, but on a casual basis.

Two of my children (youngest is only just 18 months so not started yet) have gone to dance classes since they were around 18-20months old. They started off at a parent and baby dance class which was really lovely, lots of skipping, jumping, musical instruments. They both loved it. My oldest (5yrs) now does ballet, tap, modern and acro class. My middle child (3yrs) does acro class.

They are only at a small village dance school but they both absolutely love it. Especially my son who enjoys the rolling, balancing etc in acro

Gosh. Welcome to the Voice Of The 1950's.

There are few things more boring that spending all day every day playing with a 3 year-old who demands constant attention. It is far more important to foster independence and self-reliance, and what better way to do it than to send them to an age-appropriate physical activity with other kids for half an hour once a week.

When she’s at nursery I’m at work.