Munchkins & Mommies's Blog

by April Lafargue

Many children love to dance and boogie around the house, but now it’s time to begin that first dance class!  Here are a couple of tips for a smooth transition into a great dance season.

• Attend an open house or visit the studio your child will be dancing at before your child’s class begins.  Familiarize your child with the room they will be dancing in.  Let them know where they will wait to be picked up at.  They may even get to meet their teacher at this time.

• If this is your child’s first activity.  You may want to consider a Mommy and Me Class.  Some of them have a program that helps transition little ones into their big kid class during the last month.

• Get a list from your studio of all the dancewear, shoes, and any supplies they may need.  This is important because often studios will have the students wear the same style shoes and tights to class that they will wear at the end of the year.  You want to make sure it is the right color and style.

• Shop local.  Often times local dance boutiques will have a list already of what your child will need for their class.    Dance shoes fit differently than normal shoes, so you want to make sure you are getting a proper fit.  They will know exactly how to fit your child’s foot.

• Label your child’s shoes with their name.  Too often studios end up with a big lost and found pile of really nice shoes!  Some studios have sharpies on the first day for parents and children to label shoes with.

• Designate a special bag or backpack for your child to keep shoes, cover-ups, and water bottle in.  This keeps all your little ones belongings together making things less likely to get lost.

• Make sure your child can go to the bathroom independently and put their dance attire on themselves.  If they are not yet potty trained dance class may be a great incentive!

• Let your child go into class on their own for their first dance class.  Children tend to do best when they are not distracted with mom or other parents.  This helps build their independence and boosts their confidence.  Check with your studio to find out when visitors days are and let your little one know that there will be a special day when  family and friends will get to go and watch.