How to Choose a Dance School for Your Young Child

by Elsa Posey, R.D.E.

Choosing a dance class for your child is not as easy as it sounds. There are many dance classes to choose from; here in the Township of Huntington we have close to one hundred dance programs offered to young children. How will you choose the best program for your child?

Question: How can a find a dance class for my child?
Answer: Ask, observe, and learn about dance programs suitable for your child. Don’t just go to the neighborhood school with a friend and sign up without knowing more about the school, the teacher and the program.

Choose your child’s first dance experiences carefully. Whether a child may choose to become a professional dancer has nothing to do with it, anymore than learning to read means someone will become a professional writer. Dance is a part of our culture; it is us. It is how we express our feelings and emotions physically. Children move because it feels good! (Let that be your first clue about choosing a good school!)

Question: Should you (the parent) be able to watch your child in dance class? Answer: Yes. How else would you know what is going on? Most schools have a window or a television monitor so you can watch your young child in class. You should not be allowed in the studio. That would be too distracting. Don’t drop your child off and leave until you know what is going on.

Children should have a wonderful time in their dance class. Once they overcome initial shyness and get to know what is expected of them they dance passionately or maybe your child will just quietly observe for awhile before joining in. Every child is entitled to be themselves; don’t compare your child with other children in the class—every child is different!

Question: What should a young child’s dance class look like?
Answer: Children’s dance (like children’s art) begins to take shape slowly; but you know when your child is thoughtfully creating a picture and not just scribbling! In dance class children are moving freely, paying attention to the teacher and each other and learning.

When you observe a child’s class it should be orderly with the teacher clearly in charge. It may look as if every child is doing their ‘own thing’ but that is the creative process—exploring, discovering and doing. Notice how the teacher commands their attention without raising his or her voice. Don’t accept chaos. A good dance teacher should dance with your child some of the time, but not all the time.

If young children are placed in a line, told to follow the teacher for the purpose of learning a “cute” routine that is to be performed in an annual recital—you haven’t found the right place. Find another school. Children’s dance is not about practice and repetition.

Question: Should my young child participate in a dance recital?
Answer: No. Not before the age of seven, and then only when the child has an interest in performing.

True, young children are so cute in fancy costumes. Let them have costumes for dancing at home, but avoid recitals if you can. For some children recitals can be a traumatic and unpleasant experience, not a happy one.

Dancing involves a graduated sequence of movement experiences that fit the age and ability of the child. It involves learning the form of the art, being involved in the creative process rather than memorizing a routine. Performance is important, but not until later—usually seven or older—and is not for every child. Many dancers are content to dance just for themselves or for those they love—not in front of an audience of strangers.

Question: My child loves to dance. Should I encourage him or her to dance?
Answer: Absolutely. Find a wonderful teacher for your child but dance at home as well!

All children love to dance, until they have the unpleasant experience of someone laughing at they way they dance. Or someone tells them that they will never be a dancer because of their gender, body shape or weight. Maybe that happened to you—don’t let it happen to your child. Dance is too important to a child’s well being. If your boy or girl dances for you—enjoy it—don’t criticize what they are doing. Encourage them to explore many ways of moving by playing music with different rhythms. Find your inner child, and dance along! Through dance and movement children mature physically, emotionally, socially and cognitively; dancing bodies develop keen minds and well-balanced personalities.

Question: How much does it cost?
Answer: Dance classes are less costly than many other activities in which children participate, but beware of “hidden costs.”

You should be told directly the cost of tuition and any other expenses for the school year when you enroll. Ask if there are any other required expenses such as dancewear, music, video, books, photographs, recital costumes, buying tickets for the recital, and so forth. Young children may dance barefoot in shorts and tee shirt but most enjoy wearing special clothes for dance class.

More questions? Call me at 631-757-2700, or email EPosey@Optonline.net.