Dance 101

Starting your child in dance

As the end of the summer draws near, the beginning of the school year brings with it the beginning of extra- and co-curricular activities. As you think about the activities you’re enrolling your child in, consider putting them in a dance class.

There have been many studies on the benefits children reap from participating in the arts, as well as in dance specifically. Dance provides physical, social and artistic benefits to your child. By participating in dance, your child will gain muscle strength and flexibility and improve their balance, agility and coordination. If your son balks at the thought of participating in dance classes, re-assure him that professional football players, soccer players and other athletes all participate in ballet to assist them be the best they can be at their sports. (see athletes dance) Also point out to them the many cool male dancers on such shows as So You Think You Can Dance, Dancing With The Stars and America’s Best Dance Crew, as well as the performers in Billy Elliot, both the movie and the musical.

By studying dance your child will also learn teamwork, develop self-esteem and the joy of using their imagination and creativity. Studies have also shown that children with an involvement in the arts have increased educational achievements.

After deciding to enroll your child in dance, the next step is to choose which type of dance and which studio to join. Choosing the appropriate style of dance is dependent on your child and their personal preference. If they’re quite young – under five years old – you might wish to consider enrolling them in a general creative movement or kinderdance class. If they’re slightly older, consider a ballet class. Ballet is the foundation for many types of dance and therefore is a great introduction to the world of dancing.

Once you’ve selected the style of dance your child will study, it’s now time to find a studio. Wanttodance.ca’s online dance directory  is a great way to find a studio near you that offers the style of dance you’re interested in. If possible, before enrolling your child, consider visiting the studio to get a sense of it in person. Meet the staff and talk to them about their classes. It’s useful to know things like class size, the dates of recitals and, if you are the type of parent who likes to be involved, does it encourage parental involvement, or have a parent-teacher committee? You can also find out some basics, e.g. if there’s an option for carpooling with other local students. You’ll also want to get a sense of what the school focuses on. Are they a competitive environment that focuses on training students for competitions and performances? Or are they a school that stresses teamwork and the learning experience? Do they require their students to wear a uniform, or can your child wear what they’re comfortable in? Finding the answers to these questions can help you decide in which environment you think your child will be the most comfortable. And making them comfortable in their dance studio means their experience will be a positive one, encouraging them to continue to love dance, and incorporate the arts and creativity into their lives as they grow.

Once you’ve enrolled your child in dance class, the next – and final – step is to encourage their interest in the activity. Children are incredibly perceptive, so you should be sure that whoever takes them to and from dance classes is supportive of the endeavour. And be sure to share dates of recitals and performances with extended family and friends. While your child will be thrilled to be on stage in front of you for the first time, as a parent the thrill of watching them participate in something they enjoy is incomparable.

By Katharine Harris
(published September 2010)