Sports for a two year old

[ooosabeauta]

Honestly I'm not a pushy parent, and I have no 'Bertie project' agenda, but I have a nearly 2yo ds who simply loves physical activity (like many do), and I loved sport throughout my childhood, so... I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a sport that can be started at around age 2. I started thinking about this because I read a thread mentioning ballet for 2.5 yos and it got me thinking...

Not sure that ballet is the thing for my ds (not because of gender, but because even as a girl I was more hockeyish than danceish). We take him to Tumbletots and Gymboree but I'm imagining a sport discipline for him to get into IYSWIM. Am prepared to be laughed out of town, but does anyone have any suggestions?

NB He does have swimming lessons but it's not a sport I'm massively keen that he focusses on. TIA.

ooosabeuta, the club near me does indoor tennis for tots - i think its from age 2. dd went and really enjoyed it. at that age they use sponge balls and they really dont expect them to learn the rules. i found it was a fun way for dd to do some exercise and mix with other children

Rugby Tots classes? I think they start at about 2.5y.

Those sound super. I think the key might be to see what's available around here, take him to a few and see what he enjoys. Rugby tots sounds great if it's for real! Am writing a list next to the computer to look into. Nancy that's exactly what I hope for.

Right, really off to bed now. Thanks all

you do sound nutz

Yes Rugby Tots is for real!

Because she's talking about more structured activities scuh as tennis, football etc and the idea of trying to get a not quite 2yo to do something like that is bonkers IMO. But good luck to her, she knows her son best.

Agree with rockbird.

We took DS (2.6) to his first RugbyTots class on Saturday. I did dither a bit about whether it would be a good idea for him to do a class so young but in the end decided to go for it and I'm glad I did as he loved it.

It's half an hour of rugby-related games, really. It's all very age appropriate, for example each child gets a ball so there's no need for squabbling over turns! Some children did just run off and do their own thing that was fine. Parental involvement is obviously essential.

He does swimming lessons too. I just see them, and the Rugby Tots, as fun activities to do with him, in addition to the general running around in the park/garden etc.

that's nic ethen borntovote.

But I have to say if I took my 2yo to a class and someone gave him a ball and he ran off and did his own thing, it would be cheaper to go and do that in the park...

I think the thing is that a 2yo, however sporty, prob cannot concentrate and focus in the way they need to for a proper sports lesson. But I guess that's just IMO and IME. FWIW I sometimes have trouble persauding 9 7yos to concentrate on footie!

I think boxing is a great sport for toddlers, and maybe caving. Fencing? or fly fishing - but he would have to stand in very shallow water and I'm not sure they make waders for tots?

I know what you mean Clary. Another mum who was watching leant over to me at one point and said "I've just realised that I've spent £x so he can run up and down a hall for half an hour!"

DS really surprised me in how much he was taking in. He listened to the instructions and had a really good go at the games.

He had a great time and he learnt some new things and, for me, that justifies the price. I can totally appreciate why others might disagree though!

FWIW, it's not "a proper sports lesson" though, it's rugby-related games.

Well by "proper sports lesson" I merely meant a specific period of time during which the child is expected to do what they are told to do and follow some rules. In this case the subject is a sport - rugby, footie, whatever.

What else could I mean? My 7yos are "just" playing football-related games in their football coaching session as well. And as I say, they struggle to keep their mind on it sometimes.

"Proper sports lesson" to me implies learning the skills and rules necessary to play a proper game. What they are doing at RugbyTots is just having fun with a rugby ball.

But whatever, my 2.5 year old is having fun with it so I'd recommend it to other children of a similar age. That's all.

Can you find some sports for adults and do the sport that YOU like? Tbh your money will be better spent this way.

Your ds is not even 2 yet.

Thanks Verity, that's heartening. I must say I did go to bed feeling a bit saddened that my idea of taking my ds, who enjoys 'playing at' sports, to a sports lesson was found to be 'depressing'. And since many people have mentioned so many Socatots-style activities I don't think it can be that much a of way-out minority choice. I really do lead a very baby-centred life, and only want to offer him a variety of activities he enjoys. The thing is, I (gratefully) look after my ds single-handedly for six days a week, and usually jointly with dh on the seventh day, and people in this situation may appreciate that that leaves a lot of opportunity to try new things. We always fit in park trips, train and bus station visits (another of his passions...) and walks along the disused railway track spotting bridges. He's a 'not often' napper so we have about 8 hours of free time every day once you take away meals etc..

Sorry to hear that the ballet teacher shouted at toddlers. That's not quite what I have in mind, as you obviously didn't either. The thing with toddler classes is that at least you are always there with them and so you get a very good idea of how much they are enjoying them and how worthwhile they are.

Borntovote that sounds rather like what I hope for. Every time we go to Tumbletots he comes home telling me about 'climbing', 'sliding' and 'jumping' and he's really invigorated by it, so I thought it'd be nice to just vary the activity and learn something new in a similar style. He happens to be a toddler who listens attentively and follows instructions well, although I know this may change drastically as we reach 2!

Anyway, thanks all for sharing your opinions and experiences. I've found a local Socatots class which offers a trial lesson so I think we may well have a go at that soon.

I tried taking my 2 year old DS to swimming pool with me (because I love swimming, and also because I thought swimming will be good for his tempered character). We went twice, first time we managed to get into swimming pool with a bit of screaming (he did not want to get it) and then get out of the pool again with another bit of screaming (because he did not want to get out). The second time, he ended up screaming in changing room and refused to change to swimming wear. I had nothing else to do but to head home instead of swimming. And I thought I was doing good for him! Having experienced that, I am convinced 2 year old is not ready for sports. Just take him to a park.

I suppose they're all different toja, aren't they. I don't massively enjoy the toddler swimming lessons because of what seems like an hour and a half of faff for 30 mins in the pool, but my ds loves it every time so I take him. It's also one of the best ways for him to get all his energy out and then have a nap, (and allow me to look on mumsnet in the afternoon)! I think every 2 year old is clearly into different things and you do whatever they like.