itsheresomewhere Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 "I am surprised that you put him in lessons at his age. Because children after the age of 5 can't learn these things." Said to me by a mom at skating lessons. Is it bad of me that I smiled that after his first lesson he can skate without the walker thing but her son was has been in lessons since September can't. I felt bad for the her son as he just kept crying and saying no skating, hugs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 That mama needs to go shopping for a new filter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kathryn Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 How did you respond? I think I would have been really confused and asked "can't learn what things?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 This is what she is conditioned to think, and this is how she justifies putting her little one through misery for months. Glad your son is skating! How old is he, btw? My 5 yo and 8 yo are starting lessons next week and even my 10 yo want to try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKL Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 PS, thanks for the reminder to take my 6yos to learn skating . . . . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parrothead Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 What? How bizarre. Her poor kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Florida. Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Well, let's all just stop learning then, shall we? Can't learn what things after age 5? Sheesh. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 How did you respond? I think I would have been really confused and asked "can't learn what things?" After looking at her like she was either the most uninformed person or a itch, I said " Oh I am sorry you have been misinformed. There are lots of things that a child should not do if they are aren't ready or have the proper muscles formed to do it. You really might want to talk to your ped to get the correct information." I know my face just showed my thoughts. It peed me off more she said this in front of DS. He just said later in the car " I feel sorry for her kids." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 This is what she is conditioned to think, and this is how she justifies putting her little one through misery for months. Glad your son is skating! How old is he, btw? My 5 yo and 8 yo are starting lessons next week and even my 10 yo want to try. He is 10. Loves it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 What? How bizarre. Her poor kids. Bizarre. I was recently at a party where the mom of a 2 year old signed her up for skating, but was lamenting that the child didn't like it. I'm sure there are exceptions, but I can't imagine any of mine, at the age of two, enjoying themselves in bulky clothing, tight skates and helmets, on ice. What's the point, really? And yet because there are so many lessons to 2 year olds offered, many think that this is when they should start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 He is 10. Loves it. Oh, awesome!!! After your post I was a little worried about my 10 yo! I thought, well, the 5 year old, that's fine, she is the one who is begging for lessons. The 8 year old is probably fine. But maybe 10 is too old??? I learned at 18, but was never very confident. I could do a couple of circle around the rink, wobbly and scared. I wish I had a teacher or a friend to teach me, though, instead of just going by myself. I wouldn't try it now, as I have horrible knees. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Huh. What an interesting point of view. Peggy Fleming began skating at the age of 9. Dorothy Hamill began at the age of 8. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trillian Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Oh, awesome!!! After your post I was a little worried about my 10 yo! I thought, well, the 5 year old, that's fine, she is the one who is begging for lessons. The 8 year old is probably fine. But maybe 10 is too old??? I learned at 18, but was never very confident. I could do a couple of circle around the rink, wobbly and scared. I wish I had a teacher or a friend to teach me, though, instead of just going by myself. I wouldn't try it now, as I have horrible knees. DsS just started this year at 10 at well. He loves it. I don't think 10 is "too old." How rude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JennyD Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 What a depressing perspective. I took my very first ice skating lessons at age 28. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elinor Everywhere Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 That is so weird. The attitude is often prevalent in Suzuki violin circles, where the kids start very young, my dd included. But I've seen kids start late, in junior high, and zip through so quickly that in a couple of years they are caught up to the kids who started at 5. Some things can be learned BETTER at a later age. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Some people are so desperate to start a conversation, they say the first thing, no matter how odd/dumb, that comes to their mind. I've been on both ends of that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 That is so weird. The attitude is often prevalent in Suzuki violin circles, where the kids start very young, my dd included. But I've seen kids start late, in junior high, and zip through so quickly that in a couple of years they are caught up to the kids who started at 5. Some things can be learned BETTER at a later age. Even violin? Wow, that's awesome. I thought violin one had to start young--not necessarily Suzuki-young, but still young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susan in TN Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 That is so weird. The attitude is often prevalent in Suzuki violin circles, where the kids start very young, my dd included. But I've seen kids start late, in junior high, and zip through so quickly that in a couple of years they are caught up to the kids who started at 5. Some things can be learned BETTER at a later age. And often with less frustration, depending on the personality. :D Dr. William Jones, now the Director of Orchestral Studies at the University of Iowa, never picked up an instrument until he was in college (he was a baseball player). Within 4 years he learned violin, bassoon, piano, and conducting and has studied at the U of W, Juliard, North Texas, etc. etc. He's one of the most brilliant conductors I've ever had the priviledge of playing with. Not typical, maybe, but certainly he didn't start before he was 5yo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrookValley. Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 That's bizarre. I agree--her poor kids. My son just started skating lessons and he does happen to be 5, but the only reason we did it was because it was his idea. He had never been skating, but before Christmas he said that he wanted to take Daddy ice skating as his Christmas present. :001_wub: We did, and the kiddo LOVED it so much we signed him up for some beginner lessons. He's having a great time. The only rink within an hour of us seems (to my uneducated self) to be a pretty serious operation with a lot of intense figure skating stuff going on. The youngest they start kids in lessons is 4; they have a beginning skills program for 4 and 5-year olds. It seems to be well-run and well-thought out, but it's also fun and low-pressure. The instructors are great. And they're not starting any kids under the age of 4, so...not to say that's necessarily a bad thing, but obviously it's not necessary for someone to go on and be serious about skating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laundrycrisis Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I feel sorry for her son. I'm glad you encouraged her to seek better information. That is so weird. The attitude is often prevalent in Suzuki violin circles, where the kids start very young, my dd included. But I've seen kids start late, in junior high, and zip through so quickly that in a couple of years they are caught up to the kids who started at 5. Some things can be learned BETTER at a later age. When I was looking for a new instructor for DS1, I had the owner of a local Suzuki school laugh at me because I had a "pre-twinkle seven year old !" and say, "Well, I guess I could put him in the class with the three year old girls. But at his age, he will always be in a group with children much younger than he is." Right, because at the ripe old age of seven, he was already all washed up by being four years behind. (I went on to find an excellent Suzuki instructor with a mind open enough to actually think with, and at 9, he's a very commited book 2 student who learns each song thoroughly, and enjoys it very much.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 laundry, I find that so sad, good for you for finding another teacher. I started Suzuki at the ripe old age of 19. I played for a few years and was just starting book 3 when I quit because I had kids and didn't have time to practice. My oldest plays violin, she started at the old age of 6 :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skimomma Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I get this sort of comment with 9 yo dd and team gymnastics. She started at the positively ancient age of 7. People are probably right that starting that late does rule out being an olympian or getting a college scholarship. But, that does not happen for MOST gymnasts regardless of when they started. And who wants that anyway? I even had a distant acquaintance on FB tell me I was being cruel to allow her to participate as she must be "the oldest Level 4 in the state" at the age of 9. Ummm....no, she has teammates who are older....which just led to jabs about her gym being "obviously" inadequate. And again, who cares? She is happy and having a good experience. FTR, I see lots of older kids and adults in the beginning skating lessons at our rink. I also see a lot of crying 3 yos who are just confused and uncomfortable. We have classes that are just for beginning adults, teens, and older kids. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Even violin? Wow, that's awesome. I thought violin one had to start young--not necessarily Suzuki-young, but still young. Not at all! One of my dds started violin when she was 13 or 14, and did quite well with it. Maybe it's too late if you're planning on a concert career (dunno about that!), but it certainly wasn't too late to learn enough for it to be a joy to her. anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PachiSusan Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 The lesson I want to teach my daughter is that it is never to late to learn something new. That woman's comment made me very sad. LIFE is learning - seeing the beauty and doing it every day you can. She's missing a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dancer_Mom Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Huh. What an interesting point of view. Peggy Fleming began skating at the age of 9. Dorothy Hamill began at the age of 8. THIS!!! I have a degree in dance education, danced all my life, and while I am certainly no phenom I started at age 8. I agree that because classes are offered for children that young, people start to believe that 8-10 years old is ancient to start developing a talent. Too bad really because then your child might miss out on finding something that they love to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laundrycrisis Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Not at all! One of my dds started violin when she was 13 or 14, and did quite well with it. Maybe it's too late if you're planning on a concert career (dunno about that!), but it certainly wasn't too late to learn enough for it to be a joy to her. anne I started at 40 !!! I am unlikely to ever play in any kind of orchestra, unless it's a very casual hobby-oriented one. There is a local private college that has a community orchestra that is open to anyone who can play at the high school level. I'm still years away from that, but maybe someday I'll get there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PachiSusan Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 THIS!!! I have a degree in dance education, danced all my life, and while I am certainly no phenom I started at age 8. I agree that because classes are offered for children that young, people start to believe that 8-10 years old is ancient to start developing a talent. Too bad really because then your child might miss out on finding something that they love to do. M. wants to start gymnastics now. She's nearly 10 and we don't have the money for it right now. I told her that I would send her to some classes when we do have the money and she can try it out. What can it hurt? She's not going to go for the Olympics or anything - she just thinks it's going to be fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belacqua Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 The lesson I want to teach my daughter is that it is never to late to learn something new. That woman's comment made me very sad. LIFE is learning - seeing the beauty and doing it every day you can. She's missing a lot. What a lovely thought. My 80-something MIL just started taking singing lessons, so I have no chance of using the "I'm too old" excuse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songsparrow Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 There is a belief that Olympic-level figure skaters must begin before age 6 in order for their muscles to develop properly for them to be able to skate at that level - you'll often hear it mentioned regarding Johnny Weir being the exception, as he did not begin skating until he was 12. I don't know if there's any validity to the idea or not. But certainly anyone of any age can learn to skate for fun. I let my younger daughter try lessons when she was 3 (the youngest age our rink offered them) because she wanted to skate like her big sister. She came off the ice after the first lesson asking, "Can you ask them to make the ice less slippery next week?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aelwydd Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Ridiculous. There are several NHL players that did not begin skating until 10 yo or older. Curtis Joeseph started at 10. Dan Cloutier started around 12. So, you know. Pure ignorance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gardenmom5 Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I've a friend whose son didn't learn to swim until he was 12. He became a world class swimmer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mytwomonkeys Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 that's such a bizarre statement! not to mention i disagree with it completely. i learn new things everyday. we aren't dogs, lol (and of course i know old dogs CAN learn new tricks!) :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redsquirrel Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Her poor kids. Weird and just plain wrong. The wrong is worse than the weird. I hope no one else believes her Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elinor Everywhere Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I had the owner of a local Suzuki school laugh at me because I had a "pre-twinkle seven year old !" :lol: :lol: :lol: Love that "pre-twinkle seven year old". The horrors!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wendi Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Never heard that. Weird! I'm 45, and just started horseback riding lessons last summer. I don't plan to compete, but I love every minute of it! I wouldn't hesitate to take any class I wanted to try, or sign ds up. I also still want to try the cello someday. And possibly Celtic dancing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest submarines Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 For the sake of educating the ignorant public, maybe the OP could gently point out her skating 10 year old to that mom during the next lesson. Or she could start the conversation with "I am surprised that you put him in lessons at his age. Because children under the age of 5 can't learn these things." :smilielol5: OP--please report back! At least on your son's skating progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 How silly. Is it bad of me that I smiled that after his first lesson he can skate without the walker thing but her son was has been in lessons since September can't. How old is her son? She must have started him after he was 5. Otherwise, he would have mastered it by now, I'm sure. :001_rolleyes: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belacqua Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 :lol: :lol: :lol: Love that "pre-twinkle seven year old". The horrors!!! Does that make me a pre-twinkle 45-year-old? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Some people are so desperate to start a conversation, they say the first thing, no matter how odd/dumb, that comes to their mind. I've been on both ends of that... Yup. And the worst is listening to something coming out of your mouth that you not only wish you could take back as you are saying it but that isn't actually your position on the matter at hand. Social anxiety sucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itsheresomewhere Posted January 18, 2013 Author Share Posted January 18, 2013 How silly. How old is her son? She must have started him after he was 5. Otherwise, he would have mastered it by now, I'm sure. :001_rolleyes: :rofl: . Her son was 3-5 years old class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebel Yell Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Ugh! babyBaby QUIT skaing lessons at age 7 BeCAUSE of all of the 4 & 5yos in her class who just flopped down on the ice and screamed. :cursing: Yeah- kinda hard to learn how to skate backwards when you're tripping over some other kid. (And when the coaches tried to escort the child off the ice, the parents got beligerant and demanded the child continue the lesson. Gosh- wish *I* had $20 to waste every week like they did... :glare: ) Oh- and I started sance lessons at age 36. Did my first recital at age 39. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Both Evan Lysacek and Johnny Weir started past age 5-6. They seem to skate ok. I love the quote from that movie Juno about her much younger sister being taken to a tiny tots ice skating lesson "When will you guys learn that tots CAN'T ice skate?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reflections Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I have two words: Grandma Moses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 That is so weird. The attitude is often prevalent in Suzuki violin circles, where the kids start very young, my dd included. But I've seen kids start late, in junior high, and zip through so quickly that in a couple of years they are caught up to the kids who started at 5. Some things can be learned BETTER at a later age. :iagree: My kids both do Suzuki and started at 4 and 5 and that was late by standards at our school. There are kids that start at 2 or 3 and whiz through material and are amazing. BUT I'm sure these kids would have been amazing had they started later too. My kids are beyond most of their peers that started 1-3 years sooner. And I've seen kids come in late, be highly motivated and have some natural ability, and get past their average peers in a year or 2. One kid started at 10 when my daughter started. I think he was through book 3 within a year. He's like 13 now and he's late into the books, and heavy into orchestra, mainly with high schoolers. Our Suzuki piano teacher has actually put his foot down and won't take kids before age 5 or 6. Our violin teacher loves beginners of all ages. What a whack-a-doodle mom! I always think moms who say stuff like this have some deep seated insecurity about their own choices. Maybe that just keeps me from talking smack back to them. LOVE your response. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Even violin? Wow, that's awesome. I thought violin one had to start young--not necessarily Suzuki-young, but still young. Not at all! One of my dds started violin when she was 13 or 14, and did quite well with it. Maybe it's too late if you're planning on a concert career (dunno about that!), but it certainly wasn't too late to learn enough for it to be a joy to her. anne My brother started violin in 7th grade (in school, not suzuki), had earned concert master for his youth symphony and took lessons from the concert mistress in the state symphony. He had the talent and he worked hard. He seriously considered pursuing a music career but decided that wasn't the lifestyle he wanted after all. All that to say it's never too late. You might discover a talent you didn't know you had! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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