Is my toddler normal or crazy?!

[potentialdogowner]

Need reassurance or advice please if this is normal toddler behaviour and if I'm just expecting too much of him. He is 2 years 5 months.

• at a 'free play' gymnastic class for 18m to 3 year olds. Doing a group warm up in a circle led by instructor. All other children standing by adults copying the instructor. My son running in circles with eyes closed banging in to others, me getting stressed trying to stop him distracting other kids!

• at a library group him and some other toddlers running in circles around the group sat on the floor. One of the girls falls down and he body slams on top of her out of nowhere. She is fine but I am mortified.

• At a friend house and the dad is doing rough and tumble play with their 3 year old, their son is jumping on his back while he lies on the floor. My son tried to join in but climbs on his head and pulls his hair, does so repeatedly when I tell him only on the dads back (didn't help that the dad didn't just stand up..)

• on a walk in the park I try and give him freedom to roam a bit. But he tries to go in the most ridiculous places - under a big bush where I can't see him, climbing down a steep hill/edge, going out of my sight (or so he thinks) and not being bothered at all.

I feel like he is just feral and everyone is judging me, even though I try so hard to correct him and teach him in these things

He also seems ridiculously clumsy / not spatially aware at all. Falling off chairs cause he's so fidgety. He tried to randomly climb back in his pram and it tipped over and he scrapped his face. Halfway up a small set of steps he randomly turns and jumps up and almost falls. Trying to crawl through a tiny space under a side table and causes it to fall over on him. I am watching him at these times but any attempt to prevent these actions he has a full on tantrum, and I don't know how to give him some autonomy while also stopping these silly actions.

Just depends really...

It could be his normal but also they may be other environmental factors affecting his bevaiour?

1. Is he having a terrible two dip? Has this been going on for longer than 2 months? If not, I wouldn't worry.

1. Does he have enough time outdoors or engaging in physical activity. How much screen time does he have?

2 years and 5mo is definitely the peak time for worst behaviour. You may be going to these classes but believe me there is a big difference between an 18mo, a 2.5yo and a 3yo.

My 2.5mo was dreadful too, he has settled so much more now he is approaching 3. Just stay consistent and his behaviour will correct itself x

My toddler is also 2.5 and his behaviour has been so challenging recently. I feel like we've gone backwards. So no advice from me OP but you have my sympathy.

Don't tell me how he is outside, tell me how he is at home. If he starts acting crazy, do you redirect, tell him not to jump on sofa, run in the kitchen or just let him go wild.
Parenting is that. Teaching how to behave in different situation. And teaching starts at home. Teaching him to having to be quiet sometimes, to listen to instructions.
Falling off chairs is typical when you are fidgeting on chairs, climbing in pram is not safe, so falling again is expected.
And the tantrum when you try to prevent him to get harmed is normal. Kids hate to be told no. They want their way. A tantrum is healthy . It is how kids lean to be displeased. Do not give in.
Start small. On that day, do not have tv on or any screen at all. You will be surprised what a difference no screens from morning make behaviour wise. Unplug the tv and turn off the iPad or better let its battery go flat.
Have sticker albums, easy maze albums (you can print maze for free), decide to do baking, or a lego city, or paper chain for Christmas.
Go to the pool, the park, a soft play. Put a bed sheet on top of the dining table and crawl under pretending it is a submarine, plane, spaceship.

Put him in charge of safety. When you walk have him point out to you the dangers, and praise the clever boy.