I got DD into a 45 minute long ballet class for 3-5 year olds a month ago, when she was 25 months. She loves dancing, and my gut said she was ready for something structured and might be really engaged by a challenge like that (esp since older children might be more vocal and have better coordination.)
I had to sort of fudge her age to get her in, but she is loving it. She does every step the teacher teaches them, she listens and behaves well- she doesn't even care when I leave the room and the door is shut (she used to get hysterical with strangers so- yay!)
She does cry a little when it's over and asks for more. So having a 45 minute attention span for something like this and then begging for more at 26 months is something. This is the first time I've seen her so engaged for so long (besides puzzles and certain educational shows)- probably because a teacher is leading it and keeping her interested in new steps.
I think the quick pace and precise "rules" about how she needs to do something "the right way" (she seems extra concerned about things being done right lately) are attractive to her.
So, not a preschool class- but it's still something structured that is working for my two year old. She'll do art for maybe 45 minutes to over an hour at homeschool co op with the other kids, but it's just free art. She gets bored at times and I give her different supplies.
Edited to add:
Our house is fairly messy and we aren't big on things being done a certain way and her new interest in doing things right seems to be a developmental stage. Putting everything back on the shelves where they belong, making sure her garbage goes in the can, having to have clean hands, needing to do certain things in what she things is the correct order... making sure her outfits are complete, etc. I know I was that way, too, when I was small.
Last edited by islandofapples; 01/29/13 10:30 PM.
