Music teacher says my 2.5 year old HAS to sit on them

[ms_fluffy]

Is it just me, or does it seem unreasonable?

My dd started a new music group yesterday, and the two instructors told me that next week, she will not be allowed to play the drum/xylophone/ whatever unless she sits on their laps.

My little one is very slow to adapt, and didn't feel comfortable sitting in their laps (fair enough!), and was squirming to get back to me, so I just took her back, let her sit on me, and guided her to play the instruments.

Apparently, she is "pulling strings" and she needs to learn the "correct" way to play. I mean, she is 2 years old, for crying out loud! She wasn't being manupulative. DD really takes a while to feel comfortable in new situations, and allowing her to take her time to warm to something works best. I explained this to them after class, and asked if they could give her a few weeks to get used to them, but they said "bad habits will form if she is allowed to do what she wants" and "all the other kids had to do it this way".

I just want her to have a bit of fun, and realise that music is a great way to unwind and express herself. Somehow, their attitude doesn't seem to support this. I'm so tempted to tell them to stuff it. The only reason I haven't already done this is that this school has a really good program (DD loved it when we attended a trial lesson with the lady who developed the program). Problem is that these other instructors just don't seem to be willing to accept DD and her cautious personality.

*sigh* HAs anyone ever been in a similar situation, or is it just me?