Should I take DS back to this toddler music group?

[Ninks]

He is 2.4, and the session was 90 minutes long but I had to take him out after only half an hour.

It was a Sure Start thing, there were younger children, older babies, and older children who were in pre-school two or three days a week who were probably a bit used to being called to do something such as listen to a small book read by the leader, not a big book as they have in Reception classes.

DS has only ever had experience of a playgroup where he does his own thing amongst the toys. And being a boy he wasn't too keen on floating round the room waving scarves when there were drumsticks there and a box to bang.

Then little brightly-coloured mats were placed around the room so that the children could "jump in puddles". Not one child did this, not even the older ones. But DS seeing a collection of similar objects would not rest until he had piled them up. I managed to separate them as he was doing it but he was determined.

At the end of the activity he was able to collect all the mats, except for one. A much older girl refused to give it up and he got shrieky and flappy in her face!

I said that I would not be having such behaviour and that we'd be leaving. The leader said, "Oh, well do please come back, but he'd hate this next activity", which was rolling a ball and taking turns amongst the children. She was quite right. The older children managed it because they were used to such things and the babies couldn't give a toss.

DS screamed when I was strapping him into his pushchair because he is used to having the one toy to himself.

Is it me, or are these sorts of things a bit of a big ask for little ones who have only ever had, "do your own thing" playgroup experiences?

Should I leave it for a while or keep on in the hope that he will mature as the result of it?

The next day he went to a Joe Jingles session however and was fine as it was short and snappy.

Quite confused. Sorry for the tome.

90 mins sounds like a very long time for a little one.

Took DD to Jo Jingles for around 4 years , and she loved it. Not too long, and age appropriate, ime.
When she left at 4.5 the sessions were 45mins long, and that was enough for her.

I wouldn't put yourself through it. It's too long and too structured for him.

my ds would have been just the same - particularly wanting to collect up all the mats! 90 mins is too long. I would go with similar Jo Jingles type activities, this one sounds too organised for a 2yo.

Sounds like a nightmare for you both. You'd have more fun in the park. 90 minutes is way too long.

I'm not a big fan of these toddler music sessions. I'd much rather let him run around the house with a drum and some loud music and so would he. I very much doubt early exposure to Jo Jingly or whatever will turn him into Mozart nor is it worth it for the very limited interaction with other children. At least the Surestart one is free.

It all sounds very upsetting.

Don't go. I really can't see the benefit of talking him to such a long session, especially as the ages are so mixed. Its impossible to keep them all happy when they will all be at different stages of development.

We go to Monkey Music which they have both loved but its getting expensive so we may swap the local library soon that has a 30 minute music group.

The library group has children of all ages too but its a much shorter session.

90 min? are you sure that its not supposed to be a drop in thing?

we go to www.teddiesmusicclub.co.uk/ sessions, they actually halped set plan alot of the bookstart and surestart sessions when they started and often if a tape is played at one of these its them

but sessions are 30 min long, with biscuits after

I think I won't take him again until he's older.

Funny, I had never thought about the music aspect of it, to me it was all about socialising and being upset that he couldn't do it.

I should say that at the age of three I had a toy piano and I would play nursery rhymes by ear. By four I had figured out notes which formed a simple bass with my left. At five I was sent to lessons and I remember not reaching the desk and having to kneel up on the chair to pass my first grade at six.

So I'm not overly concerned that DS be a little Mozart, I'm quite secure in that respect. If he's like me he is, (DD has other talents) and if he isn't, he'll have other talents too.

I'm more worried about the mixing aspect but actually now I come to think of it, it must be torture for a musical child to endure such groups. I might have had screaming fits as a toddler too

That's too long. Try Jo Jingles. Their sessions are £4.50 for 45 minutes so the best value of the ones near us.

There's also Shake, Rattle and Rhyme which is £3.50 for 30 minutes and Rhythm Time which is £3.75 for 30 minutes.

Oh I forgot there's also Music With Mummy which is also £3.50 for 30 minutes.

It reslly isn't just about the music, it's about socialising, sharing, taking turns and gaining confidence. 90 mins is way too long, especially for a 2 yr old. I run music sessions and boys are sooo different to girls. They really find it hard to sit and so I do songs that we sit down to snd then usually a mad jumpy one. I only have small groups too because then personalities emerge and you can spot the wriggly one, the shy one, the one that's got perfect timing (had one of those today!) and the little extroverts who just want to dance and wiggle their bums!! I LOVE my job!

stickyj are you allowed to say which company you work for?

It sounds suitable for 4 yearolds and older. He is too young IMO.