This spring I signed Martin up for a class through Community Ed.  Since he's been out of daycare for quite awhile now, I figured it would be good for him to interact with other kids and be asked to pay attention to another adult.  There were only two activities for kids his age - Tiny Tots and Karate.  I discarded the idea of Karate right off the bat - I don't think he's ready to be the kind of listener that discipline requires, and I'm pretty sure the only thing he'd get out of it would be learning new kicks that I would see employed on all our furniture and Sophie.  So I opted for Tiny Tots. 

Here's the description from the Community Ed guide:
"Children will learn to skip, hop on one foot, balance on their tip-toes, and perform many other stills through music and fun games.  This is a great class to meet friends, dance and build coordination."

Here is my interpretation of the description:
"Children will learn to skip, hop on one foot, do somersaults, run, jump and wear themselves out through music and fun games.  Since this class is offered right before naptime, your child will have the best naps of the summer.  This is a great class to meet friends, dance and build coordination."

Here is what the actual description should have been:
"Nineteen girls in little leotards and two invisible boys will learn routines to prepare them to join the Hutchinson High School Dance Team."

Yesterday was Martin's first class and he did pretty well for the first half.  He stayed in his spot which was marked on the floor with a sticker and followed all the moves.  He stretched his hands above his head, he hopped, he touched his toes and followed the leader.  Then, when they started walking on tip-toe with ballerina arms, Martin looked at me with disgust and said loudly "I don't want to do this momma" and marched over to me. 

For awhile, I tried to encourage him to join the rest of the class.  I got him to return to the group for the Chicken Dance by going with him - making me the oldest member of the group as the mom's of the other 20 children looked on.  When it was over, he grabbed my hand and marched us over to the edge of the gym and sat down.  When the class was over, we left and I asked him if he liked the class.  He said that he did, and that he wanted to come back the next day.  Also, that the drinking fountain was really cool and that his shirt got only kinda wet.

We returned today for Class 2.  I sought out the instructor and introduced myself and Martin, thinking that if she knew us, maybe she'd feel more aware of his presence and try to make him feel included (guess it turns out I'm going to be that kind of mother).  I asked what kind of activities they would be doing over the next few classes, and if they'd be doing any kind of tumbling or games that might appeal to him.  She said with the snide kind of tone I haven't heard since junior high, "Um, this is a dance class."  I said thanks, and told Martin to go ahead and play in the drinking fountain.

We sat on the sidelines together and I encouraged him to join in if he felt like it.  He sat fairly still for most of the class, then decided to try out his sliding skills on the slippery gym floor.  He ran and slid for awhile, having the most fun in days.  Unfortunately, I could see a few sparks of interest in the eyes of the other kids as they looked on, seeming to think that it looked like more fun than the advanced dance routines they were currently learning.  I pulled Martin out into the hall and he said he was ready to head home.

There are two more days of the class and I'm not yet sure if we'll go.  Martin said that he wants to go, but that he just wants to play with the other kids.  I'm thinking maybe it would be better just to head to the playground.  After I call the Community Ed office and request a tumbling class for the fall session.  In the gym, so they can do some sliding.