Tonight was my 3 year old daughter’s first gymnastics class. She was so excited. It was all she could talk about since I signed her up for it. She was thrilled because she was certain she would learn how to do a back flip. Running before walking is simply her style.
When we walked into the gym, she immediately ran to the tiny trampoline and then to the balance beam that was only inches from the ground. The problem was that another class was going on and we had to wait our turn. A fish out of water makes some mistakes so we let it slide. This would be her first class other then Sunday school. Once I informed her she needed to wait and to watch the other children she waited semi-patiently.
The class had a total of seven children ages 3 to 4. The kids were all very excited to be there. The whole thing was a bit chaotic to me as I would require a bit more discipline in a teaching situation. Some children grew bored easily and got up to run around or play. The teacher did not look overwhelmed in demeanor but I thought the job of being hands on with one child while others were left to their own devices was inefficient and lacked discipline. I realize the children are only 3 and 4 and I do not expect perfection. However, I would expect the idea of teaching a child how to behave in a class. We may not expect the child to listen exactly but the child needs to get used to the idea that getting up and running around is unacceptable. Overall though, the children were good, just excited and restless. My child was just as excited and restless and I had my son run up to her a few times to get her to sit down. I know, I’m a stickler but you do a child no favors by not instructing her correctly. In the end, it was adorable and she loved it! Can’t wait for next week.