considering a dance class - input from btdt's please!

apies · Guru

considering a dance class - input from btdt's please!

Tiffany · Senior Member

Ava was not into the dance class at first but grew to love it at the end. There were many of the kids her age who were not flawless and the teachers dont have high expectations out of kids at that age. It might be good for her to explore her abilities and practice. We are going to sign Ava up for dance again this fall and soccer as well. So we will see which one she clicks with more or do both who knows. Point is, it's always good to try different things with your kids and see what they end up loving to do. I think Emily will be so cute with her curls and in a tutu anyhow! :)

Sonya · Guru

I don't know anything about dance classes (something to think about for Josie this year) but we did put Char in a gymnastics class and that might be something to think about. The kids were younger but the skill levels were varied and something like that might give her a chance to work on her gross motor skills.

But I think she'd like the dance class.

CoffeeQueen · Guru

April, at this level it will not matter. It may actually be very good for her.

Do you have anything there called creative movement? Usually it is taken before pre-ballet. That is very low key and a bit more unstructured. That is what I started Allie off with last year.

Check out the studio or see if you can find someone who goes there. Some are more intense then others.

It cannot hurt. See if you can get money back if she does not like it.

apies · Guru

CoffeeQueen wrote:

April, at this level it will not matter. It may actually be very good for her.

Do you have anything there called creative movement? Usually it is taken before pre-ballet. That is very low key and a bit more unstructured. That is what I started Allie off with last year.

Check out the studio or see if you can find someone who goes there. Some are more intense then others.
It cannot hurt. See if you can get money back if she does not like it.

thanks for this melissa - the schedule says that the 3-4 year old class is called "creative - intro to dance" so maybe it's the same?

one of the 2 owners teaches the 3-4 year old class. if matt is on board with this, i'll go over there and talk to her and get her input. if i get the impression that they won't be able to work with em, i'll look elsewhere.

thanks!

crystal · Guru

even if she is behind a little, at least the kids will include 3 year olds too. i wouldn't think they take this too seriously at this age, and she would probably love it. i'm sure at this age it is mostly for fun, right?

-- Edited by crystal on Wednesday 26th of August 2009 12:41:52 PM

Supafly · Guru

April, IDK about dance classes, but we are signing Anna up this year as well.

Since she has never done it and IHNI how she will like it, I am signing her up for a class through our county's parks and recs-IDK if you would be interested in something like that (or if you have something like that), but her class is going to be $45 for 6 weeks. It is a beginner level and is more for fun than anything else, but they also have full on ballet, tap, etc classes at various locations around the county that range from $85-110/12 weeks. They also have recitals.

Just something to think about before you pay to put her into a dance studio! If Anna loves it, we'll look for something more formal, or try one of the more formal classes through parks and recs, but this seemed like a fun introduction.

ETA The class Anna will be taking is called Ballerina Princesses, and they focus each week on a Disney princess. Kids are encouraged to wear dress up clothes, if they want, and they learn the basics of ballet. It will be held at our local senior center, and they have two sections-one for 3-4yo and one for 4-6yo. They told me she could be in either.

-- Edited by Supafly on Wednesday 26th of August 2009 12:47:12 PM

CoffeeQueen · Guru

apies wrote:

CoffeeQueen wrote:

April, at this level it will not matter. It may actually be very good for her.

Do you have anything there called creative movement? Usually it is taken before pre-ballet. That is very low key and a bit more unstructured. That is what I started Allie off with last year.

Check out the studio or see if you can find someone who goes there. Some are more intense then others.
It cannot hurt. See if you can get money back if she does not like it.

thanks for this melissa - the schedule says that the 3-4 year old class is called "creative - intro to dance" so maybe it's the same?

one of the 2 owners teaches the 3-4 year old class. if matt is on board with this, i'll go over there and talk to her and get her input. if i get the impression that they won't be able to work with em, i'll look elsewhere.

thanks!

That sounds like it is creative movement. She will love it. They incorporate very basic dance step and kind of get them to learn following order and they play fun music. If it is a good teacher she will be a-ok. There were all kinds of kids in Allie's class coordination wise.

kdrew · Guru

April most 3 and 4 year olds can't dance and they are totally unaware of the kids around them. I wouldn't worry at all.

I would ask if they have a free trial class and try it out first.

I had Sarah signed up for a session at a dance studio and they were doing older girl/sexy dances.

It made me uncomfortable so I put her in gymnastics when it ended. 5th graders from the same studio did a dance at our school carnival and I seriously wanted to tell all the dads to shut their eyes it was way to sexy for 10 year olds to be doing.

I'm not prude in any way but when it comes to my daughter....

Anyway, this was just the place that I went, I talked to JenM about Jilly's dance place and she said it's not like that at all. Just something to think about.

Also, the costumes can be expensive and beware that lots of the moms like to get the girls all glammed up at the salon with full makeup before the recitals which could be fun but might not be your cup of tea.

sbucking · Guru

Kaylin did a 6 week session this spring and loved it. It really had no real ballet. More movements than anything and there was a wide range of abilities. Some of the kids were very coordinated and others, not so much, but everyone had fun.

I think Em would do just fine. Plus, if there are younger kids then she may even be more ahead than you realize. Seeing them in their little leotards is just priceless!!

daisy · Guru

most of the 3-4 yr old classes i have seen are still creative movement.
the kids wear tutus and all, but they are "acting out" stories and pretending to be animals and stuff.
i think it's a lot of instruction-following.

R hasnt taken dance yet. she totally rejects the idea so we're doing yoga instead. as far as i can tell, the 3-4 yr old yoga classes are similar to creative movement, but without the tutus. haha.

i think em will do well. i'd try and get more info about what exactly they'll be doing. i wonder if you can just pay for half the year and see how it goes? definitely see if it's refundable.

apies · Guru

kdrew wrote:

April most 3 and 4 year olds can't dance and they are totally unaware of the kids around them. I wouldn't worry at all.

I would ask if they have a free trial class and try it out first.

I had Sarah signed up for a session at a dance studio and they were doing older girl/sexy dances.

It made me uncomfortable so I put her in gymnastics when it ended. 5th graders from the same studio did a dance at our school carnival and I seriously wanted to tell all the dads to shut their eyes it was way to sexy for 10 year olds to be doing.

I'm not prude in any way but when it comes to my daughter....

Anyway, this was just the place that I went, I talked to JenM about Jilly's dance place and she said it's not like that at all. Just something to think about.

Also, the costumes can be expensive and beware that lots of the moms like to get the girls all glammed up at the salon with full makeup before the recitals which could be fun but might not be your cup of tea.

whoa.

that is NUTS.

thanks for that input.

supa - my town does not have anything like that thru parks & recs. just soccer & t-ball etc (stuff we will have jake in in the spring, but emily probably still won't be ready).

apies · Guru

sbucking wrote:

Kaylin did a 6 week session this spring and loved it. It really had no real ballet. More movements than anything and there was a wide range of abilities. Some of the kids were very coordinated and others, not so much, but everyone had fun.

I think Em would do just fine. Plus, if there are younger kids then she may even be more ahead than you realize. Seeing them in their little leotards is just priceless!!

this is exactly what i'm hoping - that with 3yos in the class, she would blend a little more coordination-wise. it's just too bad she's going to look like a 6yo in there.

apies · Guru

daisy wrote:

most of the 3-4 yr old classes i have seen are still creative movement.
the kids wear tutus and all, but they are "acting out" stories and pretending to be animals and stuff.
i think it's a lot of instruction-following.

R hasnt taken dance yet. she totally rejects the idea so we're doing yoga instead. as far as i can tell, the 3-4 yr old yoga classes are similar to creative movement, but without the tutus. haha.

i think em will do well. i'd try and get more info about what exactly they'll be doing. i wonder if you can just pay for half the year and see how it goes? definitely see if it's refundable.

under the FAQ of their website, it says that you can apply for a refund by january 31st. they also allow trimester payments - so we'd only have to pay 1/3 up front. if she doesn't like it, we should be able to withdraw her for a refund, but i will definitely doublecheck on that first.

thanks!

(i totally wish we had a yoga class around here for her. she REALLY needs to chill and that might help. lmao.)

daisy · Guru

apies wrote:

daisy wrote:

most of the 3-4 yr old classes i have seen are still creative movement.
the kids wear tutus and all, but they are "acting out" stories and pretending to be animals and stuff.
i think it's a lot of instruction-following.

R hasnt taken dance yet. she totally rejects the idea so we're doing yoga instead. as far as i can tell, the 3-4 yr old yoga classes are similar to creative movement, but without the tutus. haha.

i think em will do well. i'd try and get more info about what exactly they'll be doing. i wonder if you can just pay for half the year and see how it goes? definitely see if it's refundable.

under the FAQ of their website, it says that you can apply for a refund by january 31st. they also allow trimester payments - so we'd only have to pay 1/3 up front. if she doesn't like it, we should be able to withdraw her for a refund, but i will definitely doublecheck on that first.

thanks!

(i totally wish we had a yoga class around here for her. she REALLY needs to chill and that might help. lmao.)

the yoga descriptions talk a lot about working on balance, which would be cool for em but also maybe frustrating. maybe when she's in K there will be a class. i'm thinking R might be more interested in ballet when she's in K, but then again, i'm fine if she never takes it kwim?

JenM · Senior Member

I just have a second, but watned to write real quick.

Jillian has been in dance for a year now. She does 1/2 hour of dance (alternates between Tap and Ballet) and 1/2 hour of gym once a week.

She LOVES it. It has been SO good for her. When we first started, she cried every single day. They started out very simple, and even in the recitals, they did moves they could really do.

Anyways, after a year, they are just starting to "advance" on now. I really think the class has helped Jillian to open up and really come out of her shell.

I agree with Kristi, see if you can do a trial class, and she how she does. Most classes this age aren't really structured dance, because it's hard for kids this age to do proper moves kwim?

I bet she would love it!

Picture-Perfect · Guru

Hannah just started her 3rd year of dance and she has come a loooong way. She loves it. She wasn't that good at first, I think like anything else it takes some time. I think Emily would do great. The teacher at Hannah's studio has the patience of a saint. Seriously, I don't know how that woman does it, and the girls do so well. I totally think you should try it, especially if you can get a refund or withdraw if it's not her thing yet. Oh and in regards to recital here it's a $50 recital fee (includes a dvd and one year a t-shirt) and the costume was $65 the past two years. Pictures (only if you want to buy them) cost me $35 for a really good package. Oh and the class tuition is $50 a month.

Erin · Guru

kdrew wrote:

April most 3 and 4 year olds can't dance and they are totally unaware of the kids around them. I wouldn't worry at all.

I would ask if they have a free trial class and try it out first.

I had Sarah signed up for a session at a dance studio and they were doing older girl/sexy dances.

It made me uncomfortable so I put her in gymnastics when it ended. 5th graders from the same studio did a dance at our school carnival and I seriously wanted to tell all the dads to shut their eyes it was way to sexy for 10 year olds to be doing.

I'm not prude in any way but when it comes to my daughter....

Anyway, this was just the place that I went, I talked to JenM about Jilly's dance place and she said it's not like that at all. Just something to think about.

Also, the costumes can be expensive and beware that lots of the moms like to get the girls all glammed up at the salon with full makeup before the recitals which could be fun but might not be your cup of tea.

Totally. Funny experience... I had two meetings in one day where there was a lot of downtime and we got to talking about kids. I mentioned to the women in both groups that I was thinking about putting K in a dance class, but hadnt decided where, etc.

In first meeting, this woman was like, "oh, definitly go to Studio A, they are much more respectable, none of that hoochy dancing stuff like Studio B. Studio B is alla bout sexy moves and cheerleading, and stuff. Not Studio A, they focus on technique, offer ballet, jazz, etc. and the girls have particular things they can wear in class, etc." I was like, oh, sounds good.

Then in my second meeting, totally unsolicited, this other women says "ugh, well, dont go to that Studio A, they are so stuffy and boring. We go to studio B, and my daughter loves it - its is so hip and they learn actual hip hop moves and go to dance competitions (like dance team)." I was like oh, um, good to know.

We are at Studio A- which is more of a ballet studio than a "dance studio". lol. Just my preference, but, it hadnt occured to me they would have differnet vibes. Another one in our town is very "musical theater" oriented, and the one K was in before was very gymnastics oriented.

who knew?

-- Edited by Erin on Wednesday 26th of August 2009 03:17:09 PM

kdrew · Guru

apies wrote:

kdrew wrote:

April most 3 and 4 year olds can't dance and they are totally unaware of the kids around them. I wouldn't worry at all.

I would ask if they have a free trial class and try it out first.

I had Sarah signed up for a session at a dance studio and they were doing older girl/sexy dances.

It made me uncomfortable so I put her in gymnastics when it ended. 5th graders from the same studio did a dance at our school carnival and I seriously wanted to tell all the dads to shut their eyes it was way to sexy for 10 year olds to be doing.

I'm not prude in any way but when it comes to my daughter....

Anyway, this was just the place that I went, I talked to JenM about Jilly's dance place and she said it's not like that at all. Just something to think about.

Also, the costumes can be expensive and beware that lots of the moms like to get the girls all glammed up at the salon with full makeup before the recitals which could be fun but might not be your cup of tea.

whoa.
that is NUTS.
thanks for that input.
supa - my town does not have anything like that thru parks & recs. just soccer & t-ball etc (stuff we will have jake in in the spring, but emily probably still won't be ready).

It's crazy too because most of the girls in Ryan's grade go to this studio. Their moms recommended it. And these moms I DO consider prude.

Supafly · Guru

apies wrote:

kdrew wrote:

April most 3 and 4 year olds can't dance and they are totally unaware of the kids around them. I wouldn't worry at all.

I would ask if they have a free trial class and try it out first.

I had Sarah signed up for a session at a dance studio and they were doing older girl/sexy dances.

It made me uncomfortable so I put her in gymnastics when it ended. 5th graders from the same studio did a dance at our school carnival and I seriously wanted to tell all the dads to shut their eyes it was way to sexy for 10 year olds to be doing.

I'm not prude in any way but when it comes to my daughter....

Anyway, this was just the place that I went, I talked to JenM about Jilly's dance place and she said it's not like that at all. Just something to think about.

Also, the costumes can be expensive and beware that lots of the moms like to get the girls all glammed up at the salon with full makeup before the recitals which could be fun but might not be your cup of tea.

whoa.
that is NUTS.
thanks for that input.
supa - my town does not have anything like that thru parks & recs. just soccer & t-ball etc (stuff we will have jake in in the spring, but emily probably still won't be ready).

April, what about your local gym? Anna took her yoga class through our gym, and it was like Kelly described-it was acting things out, being animals and such. She adored it. I know my gym also offers ballet and other dance classes and they are more than the parks and recs stuff, but a LOT cheaper still than going to a dance studio or through a private instructor.

Either way, I am sure she will love it-and ITA that there is such a wide range in terms of coordination and such-just thought I might throw out a few money saving ideas. Could be something to look into...

I know even our local community college has kid-based courses. They are a lot more limited, but there are some.