Twelve Things Your Child’s Dance Teacher Wants You to Know

Teaching dance is one of the most gratifying professions out there. Dance teachers get to share their passion with the next generation and watch them learn and grow. Seeing our students shine is one of the best rewards for the hard work we put in. As with any profession, there are things we struggle with behind the scenes. Here are a few things your child’s dance teacher wants you to know.

1.     We love dancers who are on time for class!

Being a little bit (or a lot) late every week is detrimental to your child’s experience in class.

Set your dancer up for a great experience by making sure you are on time for class. In fact, arrive a little bit early so that you can change shoes and get settled. If the class lines up outside the studio door, this is a part of class that your child will be missing if you run in late. Your child will pick up on your energy if you are rushing in and ushering them through the studio door while class is in progress. Its not a great way to start class for your dancer, and it is a distraction to the students who are already immersed in class. As the instructor, of course we will do everything we can to get your dancer settled and get back to teaching. We realize life happens and sometimes it can’t be helped, but when it is the same dancer week after week, we get frustrated.

2.     Attentive caregivers in parent/child classes make our job so much easier.

Parents should guide their children in mommy and me settings. During a parent/child class, the role of the caregiver is to direct the dancer while participating in a structured activity. We know these classes are a great opportunity to meet other parents and make much needed connections, and that is definitely part of the experience. Class is also a great way for you and your child to have some one-on-one time and share in an activity. When parents get distracted, start chatting over the instructor or using their phones instead of being fully present with their child in class, they are missing out on this great opportunity to bond.

3.     We appreciate it when our dancers have the right equipment for class.

Bargain brand dance shoes make our job a lot harder… and aren’t doing your dancer any favors. This one is near and dear to dance teachers everywhere. Please see what type of shoes your studio prefers and purchase accordingly. Bright pink, cute satin slippers with glittery tiaras on them are rarely well-made, good quality dance shoes. You are spending the time, money and effort to provide your child with a professional dance education, so please provide them with the right equipment to be successful in class. To read more about this topic, please click here.

4.     We love our job, but we are still professionals who deserve to be paid for our work.

So many times, we get requests from parents to go over steps for a child who has missed class due to family vacation, birthday parties, or extended illnesses. We will work hard to make sure your child gets up to speed during class time. If your child needs additional one on one time, this should be handled as a private lesson. You would not ask your accountant or other professional for free services. Even though we enjoy our profession, it is still our job and expecting free lessons isn’t appropriate.

5.     We love it when our students arrive dressed well for class!

When a dancer walks though the door in proper leotard and tights, with hair securely pulled back looking ready for class, we are overjoyed! There are practical reasons for the dress code your studio requires. Well-fitted garments help us to see a dancer’s alignment and offer appropriate corrections. Hair secured to the head will allow your dancer to execute turns without being hampered by the weight of a swinging ponytail or hair in their eyes and face. As with any activity, dressing the part helps students get into the correct mindset for class.

6.     Our preschool dancers learn so much more than basic dance steps and technique.

When your dancer participates in their first class, they are learning how to follow directions, take turns, work in a group, and so much more. We make lots of necessary progress in class that may not be obvious to the untrained eye or immediately translate into becoming a polished, experienced dancer. A good, solid foundation in dance begins with being comfortable in the studio and learning to love movement. The rest will come in time. To read more, click here.

7.     Your child’s hair accessories and jewelry may be distracting during class.

This is a big one for preschoolers. Many times, the dancers want to show us their fancy headband, bracelet, or ring. And we love to see all of the things the dancers are proud to show us! But during class, these items can be a distraction and are better left in the dance bag. In general, jewelry and hair accessories are not appropriate in dance class even as the students age. Anything that can come loose or fly off during turns and leaps creates a hazard for the dancer and others in the room. Headbands can get in the way during tumbling in a preschool class. When its time for dance class, leave the jewelry and extra accessories at home.

8.     Using the restroom in a leotard takes practice.

This is another one for the preschool set. Unlike preschools and daycare centers, we are not able to help your child in the restroom. So, if you leave the building during class, please be sure that your child is able to take off her leotard to use the bathroom, as well as get the leotard and tights back on when she is done. Even children who are fully potty trained have a hard time with these garments and could have an accident while trying to get their leotard off. Once off, the leotard and tights can become tangled together making them hard to pull back up. If your child needs assistance with this, please stay on site so that you can help.

9.     We really appreciate holiday and end-of-season gifts.

Everyone loves to hear that what they do makes a difference. A note or other small token from your child during the holidays, teacher appreciation week, or at the end of the season is sincerely appreciated. We treasure the heartfelt notes from tiny dancers, teens and parents more than we can say. Most of us have a scrapbook where we save these gems.

10.  We cry backstage when our students do well!

We work with your children for months. We see their progress and we take great pride in how far they’ve come by the end-of-year performance. When we are standing in the wings watching the dancer who wouldn’t even come into the studio on their own in September dancing their heart out on stage, we are filled with emotion. We truly love what we do and this moment makes the whole year’s work worthwhile.

11.  Our hearts break every June when the teens go off to college.

Especially when we’ve known your dancer since the preschool years, seeing their final performance with the studio is very emotional for us. Our students become part of our lives. When we see the same dancers several times a week for years, it is hard to let go. We do it with a smile on our face and well wishes for a successful future… but inside our hearts are breaking. And when we return to the studio in September and your dancer is not at the barre, their absence is tangible and bittersweet.

12.  We appreciate your trust in us!

As educators, we understand what a privilege it is to play a part in each dancer’s story. Those tiny dancers are getting their first impression of dance and deciding if it will be a life-long passion. This is a great responsibility and we take it very seriously. Each dancer along the journey is allowing themselves to be vulnerable and creative in the safety of our guidance. It is an honor to help shape these young students into the dancers they will become.