Baby/toddler class struggles

Anyone else not enjoying structured classes as much. Finding this age really hard when the structured classes move from one activity to another, pulling out props for 10 minutes for kids to play with then forcing them to "tidy them away" for the next thing. It was so much easier as with a baby whose attention span was so short they couldn't care less about having the item taken from them. And the slightly older kids understand that putting the prop away means the next fun thing is coming, but these new toddlers are finding it really tough (my toddler is not the only one). I'm just wondering if I should take a break from these classes or if i should persevere. It can feel quite embarrassing even though everyone is going through the same. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think this is good practice, or just a bit mean if the toddlers don't understand why the toys are being taken off them.

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I stopped taking my son to structured baby classes because he hated it and wouldn’t engage but other toddlers at the classes seemed to follow instructions and take part better, he much prefers playgroups etc where he can just do his own thing, think it just depends on the child whether they enjoy more structure/free play

@Sian you know i think ill finish these next 4 classes and do the same. It's not as enjoyable anymore and when researching it, this is normal toddler behaviour and they are very young and if they aren't following the instructions that's normal to.

We did a sensory class while at centre parcs and it was only a short structured Intro and then a free explore: and my goodness my little one hated it she wouldn’t sit down or follow the instructions, she was wild compared to all the other little ones lol: I much prefer baby and toddler groups where the children can just explore the different toys around them and maybe join in a story/song time x

@Emma haha yeh my little one is always off doing his own thing now. Dips in and out of the class. Funny he always comes back for the same songs he seems to like 😂

I think I’m going to stop too! My baby kicks right off when it’s time to put the things away and just doesn’t have much interest in the singing and dancing 😫 he much prefers to play with the doors, the fire extinguishers and anything else he’s not supposed to mess with 🥲

Might just be the wrong classes. We had some awful ones where she was the only toddler to be running wild and touching everything and it felt so stressful so I stopped going. We went to "moo music" recently and it was incredible. The lady that ran it didn't care if my little girl ran up to her, touched things or didn't interact as the activity was set for as lots of the kids were the same. She encouraged where she could but it wasn't regimented. So much better than the others. And the tidy up exercises were generally to post letters or coins into slots so it was a fun activity itself instead of a put it away one

@Jade omg it's the fire extinguishers and radiators fo us 😂 yeh the toys going back is a drama we just don't need lol

@Claire it is moo music we go to. I love it and he has enjoyed it up until the last few weeks. We are allowed to hold onto the shakers but the other toys that come out have to go back it's a drama every time. Our class leader is wonderful too but not sure if a break is needed for more of a free play session or something.

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