How Do You Know When It’s Time to Enroll?
One of the questions I hear most often from the parents or guardians of prospective dance parents: How do I know when it’s time to enroll?
Deciding when to enroll your dancer into classes is a very personal decision that you and your dancer should make together. Some of the factors you might consider include:
Is your dancer able to listen to simple instructions?
Does your child like moving to music?
Is your dancer able to interact with and participate with a small group of other children and/or parents?
How old is your child, and what classes are offered in their age range?
Of the classes offered in your child’s age range, do they sound like something your child would be interested in trying and capable of being a part of? What expectations does the teacher have?
If both types of classes are available in your area for your child’s age, do you believe your child would fare better in a class with you participating as well (think like a “Little Leapers and Me” or “My Grown Up and Me” type class) or on their own (without you participating)?
Is a free trial available for the dance class you’re interested in enrolling your child in?
If your child has an interest in dancing or moving to music, is able to listen to basic instructions, and can participate with or without you in a class setting, it’s worth a shot! If a free trial class is available, take advantage of that opportunity to get a better feel for the studio, teacher, and expectations as well to determine if your child might have an interest in joining.
The bottom line is that there is definitely no harm in trying if your child has some level of interest! If you feel like it’s not a good fit, you can always try again when your child is a little older. Dance is such a great way to meet and interact with other people, learn basic dance skills, and have fun with new friends.
Have questions or experiences of your own with this? Let us know what you think!
See you next time!
Heather
