Should I worry over this

[Southsmptonx]

DS is 27mo

since 16 mo we’ve tried toddler football , left as it was too structured and the teachers weren’t happy that he wouldn’t follow instruction and would run around. So classes ended up us all stressed and worked up trying to get DS to come join in and not run around. So we packed in after 2 seperate tries

we went to try a toddler sensory class he wouldn’t even step in. He had a meltdown at the door refused to go we’re unsure why! But didn’t rebook after trying 3 times

we then signed up to gymnastics. Bit more free flow, but the class is an hour. So first session / two he loved it. We’re 4 in and the past 2 we’ve left earlier. He starts off does a few things. Then they try to round everyone up for the warm up. We try to get him to do this and not go on equipment. Then it’s like after that he loses interest and asks to leave. Says car grabs his shoes goes to the door etc

he goes to nursery 3 full days. We try to get out any way the other 4 week days. I even take him to the shops just for errands so we get out! Hes good at walking he walks to nursery which is a little bit of distance! And will walk fantasic and we walk locally all the time

so it’s more a social thing maybe? Attention span?

in our house he will sit playing cars for ages will just keep going back to them. He’s fobbed his other toys off just to play with any sort of transport stuff!

should I be worried ?

I think that some children really need to be 3 to join on properly with these more structured activities.

I'd be emailing your local councils Family Information Service and asking for a list of playgroups locally. I'd be taking him to them in the meantime and would try again with the other groups when he's a bit older.

At his age he is more likely to be able to keep attention for much shorter than an hour- think 20mins max (that's why kids TV shows are short). He also doesn't understand collaborative play yet- they play next to, rather than with other children, and on their own terms.
I would avoid classes, but maybe try open play sessions/playgroup. These are often at church halls or similar places, where there are lots of toys (and coffee and biscuits for you) but less structure. Small soft play type places are also good.
Ours also loved 'little big towns', where there were miniature shops etc for them to make believe in and dress up.

I think he’s way too young to be worrying about this and I wouldn’t worry about structured classes at this age. My 4 year old does football and some of the kids are only just starting to follow the structure

I take my son to toddler football and they all just run around?! If I stressed about him not following instructions there’d be no point. The point is that they gradually get used to having the structure and I have seen a massive improvement now he is almost 3. This was the 18mo - 3 age group. So I suspect the class you chose is just a little bit stuffy or you were imagining them being annoyed!. Are there any competitors you could do a trial with?

Otherwise I wouldn’t worry - the only reason I take mine to stuff like that is so we have something to do and it gets him used to other kids. As he doesn’t do formal nursery setting. I think you are getting way too worked up about it.

I wouldn’t worry yet, but being unable to join in structured activities, socialise with other children and having very singular interests like his cars can all be signs of autism. That said I think most 2 year olds show autistic traits and most outgrow it. I would do activities he enjoys and bear it in mind when he is older. You could try a swimming class or as others have said toddler groups in churches or local community centres as those allow more free play.
Have nursery raised any concerns? They see him side by side with children his own age so would be worth asking their opinion.

So nursery aren’t concerned. I’ve seen posts on the update app we have he’s always alongside kids
ive seen him run in and hug a specific child , when I said it was cute one of the nursery staff said they were dancing together another day! So he does even interact a little with kids
they do yoga there and he loves it they say, it is half an hour so I think maybe its the right amount for him

so he loves nursery and all their activities and the kids there!

does he just not want to have structured stuff of a weekend maybe?

I want him to enjoy lots and doing things and I just worry

but mil heard me express this worry and said how he’s so young j shouldn’t be

God I hate these kinds of activities. My son is 2 and a half and has always hated them. We tried a few like yourself and then I vowed not to take him to anything he doesn't enjoy. Some kids like them, some don't.

On non-nursery days we just do the things he wants to do: go to the park, feed the ducks, ride his bike, go on little day trips, go to the library, visit family. He's a very happy boy, he just doesn't want to do anything structured yet (but loves the structure and routine of nursery). There will be a time for clubs and activities but 2 years old isn't it.

Don't worry about it. And definitely don't worry about the cars. My son is exactly the same, absolutely car and truck crazy. He plays with cars all day long. He plays with other toys but cars are always involved: sand table has trucks in it, magnet tiles are for making car ramps, Duplo is for making garages, toy animals are to be carted about in tractor trailers etc etc.

Just enjoy your time doing what he wants to do (and save your money!)

If your nursery have no concerns then you shouldn't. Some toddler football classes are massive franchise businesses making hard cash. A lot are too structured for most toddlers in reality. Plenty of time for structured classes later

My daughter is 5 and that sounds similar to how she has been at classes.
She's had a very short attention span, have taken her to swimming lessons and she wouldn't listen to the teacher so stopped those. We took her to tennis and again, wouldn't listen to instructions, doing her own thing etc.

The only place where she be free and do her own thing is a local theatre school on a Saturday morning, she absolutely loves it and they encourage the kids to be themselves completely and structure activities around them. All the kids are a little quirky and it's a lovely place to socialise and learn new skills.

He will find his 'thing' when he's a bit older

I'd leave structured classes until age 3+