Give up dance class?

[Teri7489]

My daughter started going to an acrobatic/lyrical dance class about 2 months ago but never really settled. I had to stay at the class outside as most times she would cry, not for me but just struggled with the discipline. The teacher is lovely but just general instructions made her cry. Now if I mention it she gets upset and says 'no dance class'. She initally learned a lot and can now do tumbles, the fulls splits and partial kart wheel but now struggles to focus. Should I just stop it? I don't want her to see she can just give up things she doesn't like but she's just turned 3 and I don't want her upset over a silly dance class.

 

[CaptainMummy]

I would pull her out tbh. When my dd1 was 2.5 she started dancing and initially loved it and was amazing. Once she turned 3 she went all clingy/shy and didn't want to do it. I was gutted as it seemed like wasted talent but she would cry every time we went so we stopped. She just started a new dancing class in September (at her request, she waited over 6 months for a space) and what a difference in her! She has so much more confidence now than ever (has been slowly coming out of her shell for about a year now) and she absolutely loves it. Her teacher commented on how confidently she dances, and my dd1 is not a confident or outgoing girl. I am glad I waited until she wanted to go, because I'm pretty sure there will be no going back now!

PS i also started my 3yo who again was really good and is a great dancer...but she wasn't interested at all and I think found it a bit boring, so she doesn't go anymore

 

[sheebee]

If pull her out too, is not a necessity and stress clearly finding it quite distressing. One to try again when she's ready maybe?

 

[Scout]

I'd take her out. My dd had a major meltdown just taking her to the first class and then cried every time I mentioned dance class during the following week (I was trying to 'talk it up' and get her excited), so we stopped going. When she wants to go back, we will, but for me it's not worth the upset she feels, especially not at this age, to force something like an activity.

 

[staralfur]

I'd take her out and leave it for a bit. My LO went through the same thing around that age and it just made all of us miserable.

She started doing yoga about 7-8 months after we pulled her out of dance and it was a world of difference, she was much more comfortable. Once she was used to the yoga we tried putting her in dance again and she loves it now.

 

[george83]

We're going through the same with my 5 year old and football, when he's there he's not too bad but getting him there is becoming the issue. He spends all morning moaning that he doesn't want to go. I think I agree with the others and its best to stop at least your lo is young enough to try again later if you want

 

[Eleanor ace]

DS is super keen to start an activity, loves it at first and then decides he doesn't like it anymore and wants to quit. He's done this with gymnastics, swimming, dance and now football. I say that he has to wait until the appropriate time to stop (end of term/end of the course if it's a short course) and then he can. If it was really causing him to be upset or he wasn't enjoying it because someone was being mean, for example, I'd pull him out sooner.

 

[Teri7489]

Thanks everyone. We decided just to stop the class for now. We were due to pay for her next block so handy timing. She was so pleased when I said no more dance class so was the right choice. Will try her again another time. Thanks for all the advice, I worry so much about causing my kids problems but you've all made me feel better x

 

[MindUtopia]

I would just echo what others have said that I would find something else that works better. My understanding is that's she's only 2? At that age, I would definitely expect you to still be in the room and participating as necessary and supporting her if she needed it. That still seems too young to be expected to tolerate a class on her own even with you outside. Mine is 3, coming up on 4 in February, and I would say she's only really getting to this point now. We've done classes, but they were always one's where one of us stayed with her or participated with her. I think find something else that's a better fit for her right now or just give it some time and try again with this one in a year.

 

[Teri7489]

She has just turned 3 so yeah still little. We weren't allowed to sit in the class, was a general rule as it distracts the kids. Her grop was age 3-5 year old so parents could stay outside and I always did. Will wait until she asks again, may be in a year or more but I don't mind