Structured play for toddlers WDYT?

[MindfulMama]

We went to the first week of a 3 week Kindyroo trial today - an activity based playgroup for toddlers (I think it's called Gymbaroo in other places?). I've come home undecided & wonder if I'm being too precious about things so would like to hear others perspectives ...

The sessions are 45 minutes. To start there is playtime on the fabulous equipment - lots of wooden climbing things, things to tumble around on, tunnels to explore, puppets to play with etc. For some of the equipment the facilitator shows the toddlers the "right" way to use it. Good boy/girl is used in exuberant abudance

Then a bell is rung & children have to go into another room, where they do singing & movement activities (like row your boat). The children are expected to sit in a circle (with parents) & do the activity (our DS is more of an explorer & just wanted to check out the stereo, which was booming very loud music!). Again, there is a learning or neurological development point to the activities. For example, when playing with the maracas, instead of doing whatever with them (DS wanted to shake his) the children were meant to bang them together in time to the music, move them from side to side etc - all to promote brain development, coordination etc.

There is the "theme" which this week was fox where there is a story about a fox (this was good) & all the children pick out their treasure item about a fox from the bag (which parents bring eg picture, toy fox). They are shown a picture of a fox with the word & the children are stamped with a picture of a fox on their right hand & foot (DS not so sure about this given we ask him NOT to draw on himself ). The idea is to teach visualisation of words to promote reading.

There is then more time for play before a bell is rung & then more structured time with song & activities.

I'm probably not doing a good job describing it because I'm rushing to get this done before DS wakes! I guess what I liked about the session was the chance for DS to explore some play equipment designed for toddlers, and for me to learn some new physical activities to do with him. But the "learning" aspects of it bother me - with all the structure and "right" way of doing things. Plus it felt a little condescending ....

Kalen liked playing on the equipment (although he is currently going thru a period of not liking to play near other children & is very possessive & aggressive of toys that aren't even his). The rest of the time he did not want to participate (in part I imagine because it was all new & overwhelming, and in part because it's not a way of doing things that he is familiar with as we're a bit more laid back in our approach)

What are your thoughts?

[0BleSseD0]

I think once in a while would be okay so long as it is enjoyed by the toddler subjected to it.

I prefer letting my kids curiosity lead them from activity to activity.

[sweetchili]

as long as he is enjoying it, i dont think there is too much problem with the structure.. and i dont think the staff would expect all the children to always join in. (I have started taking CJ to a playgroup for children with "special" needs and it too has a lot of structure too.)

When i worked in the toddlers room at child care, we had structured games, activities, music and story times, however we never worried if a child wanted to do it their own way, interupted or wouldn't join in at all.

You might find after a few sesions that ds might start to follow along and really start to get involved in the music time. I found that after observing from a distance for a while most children would end up joining in and have a great time!!

[hanabi]

I don't know. It seems like an acceptable form of early institutional training to me. "Now you'll learn to do as you're told, do as you're told, do as you're told," (to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb). The concept is great, but the implementation perhaps isn't optimal for the child's holistic wellbeing. Then again, if it's only once a week, the impact isn't great, and perhaps the learning outcomes for the parents are where the real success of the program lies?

I used to take my kids to a Steiner playgroup, and even that was too structured for most of the toddlers who attended.

[marchbean]

We went to Gymbaroo when my lo was 6months - 1year, then we moved so stopped. Towards the end it was getting difficult to keep to the activities because he was wanting to be off exploring. Our teachers were very relaxed about that sort of thing so it wasnt a big deal. I am not a big fan of structured play, but I saw it as a way to interact with other babies, learn some new activities and because it was only 45 mins, bubs didnt get bored or cranky. I'm looking into going to a Monti playgroup now (he is 16m) and that also seems to be quite structured - one activity at a time, pack away when finished (we try that at home, he thinks its very funny ) For me, because its only a small part of his week, I don't have a problem with it. It was also something I enjoyed too. But I would hate for his every minute of every day to be planned.

[MindfulMama]

Originally Posted by hanabi

It seems like an acceptable form of early institutional training to me. "Now you'll learn to do as you're told, do as you're told, do as you're told," (to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb).

Jodie - will have to remember that little ditty! I think this aspect is what is troubling me about the group - I don't want DS to be "taught" how to do things (unless it's a safety issue) & prefer for him to explore the world in a way and pace that suits him.

I was mainly thinking he would enjoy the physical activities (& they would give me some ideas) and that it might be a chance for me to meet some mums with little boys he could play with (all his friends are girls), but perhaps this might not be the option for us. I will go along to the next week and see how that goes tho!

(oh, and jodie we have been on the waiting list for the steiner playgroup for 6 months now, with another 6 months to go from what we've been told - by the time we get there ds might be a "good" age for the rhythm of the group )

[emd]

"Now you'll learn to do as you're told, do as you're told, do as you're told," (to the tune of Mary Had a Little Lamb).

You are evil. That is going to be stuck in my head all night.

[hanabi]

Kim, I thought about putting Mira on the list for that playgroup, but instead, I've decided I'll start my own. Let me know if you don't get into Monique's (which I'm told is lovely, hence, very popular) and you'll be most welcome to join us.

[MindfulMama]

Thanks Jodie, that sounds wonderful What side of town are you?