How to Choose The Right Dance School For Your Child

When your child loves dancing at home, or expresses interest in learning to dance, a parent typically does an online search "Dance Schools Near Me". This is a great idea, but it only lets you know the schools in proximity to your home. It's important to do more research to determine if it's a good fit for your child. Most kids stay with their dance school 4-10 years, possibly costing you more than a brand new car over time. So, it is definitely worth the time to look into the many factors to consider when looking for a dance school.

The most important things to consider are the style or dance your child is interested in learning, the qualifications and values of those instructors, and the school's ability to help your child safely and confidently reach their dreams.

There is a 6 step process when choosing a dance school.

1. Decide what type(s) of dance your child wants to learn.
2. Find schools that appeal to you, through online searches and recommendations.
3. Research the schools through websites, social media, and trial classes.
4. Compare and assess the teachers, facility, costs, class sizes, and programs.
5. Ask questions about recitals, evaluations, competition, uniforms, and safety.
6. Choose your school, enroll, and watch your child grow.

Here is a comprehensive list of things you should consider before enrolling into a dance school.

1. TEACHERS

Did you know that Dance Schools are NOT government regulated or require licensing to teach dance? There are no formal qualifications required to open and set up a dance school. So it's very important for parents to do their own research to make sure that the instruction is safe and they have the credentials, experience, and knowledge to create a healthy long-lasting relationship with you and your child. Look for a school whose teacher qualifications include the following:

• Teachers are certified or have a degree in dance from accredited institutions.
• Teachers that have a history of working as a dancer which can be authenticated.
• Teachers who are continuing their professional development for best practices.
• Teachers who have gone through an extensive background check and fingerprinting.

It is important to make sure that any teacher you are taking your child to is aware of safe dance practices, first aid, understands general work and safety laws, give age-appropriate dance lessons and develop a positive and joyful experience for your child. And be mindful that young dancers pick up both good and poor technique in their training early on, so find the right teacher at the beginning and they will soar.

2. Choose The Dance Style That's Best For Your Child

Some dance studios may solely focus on one style of dance. Other studios might operate like a school, with many teachers offering many classes in different disciplines. Most children start dancing BEFORE the age of 6. Their dance journey will expand and shift as they grow. So it's important that you find a school that will allow them to do that.

The most common dance styles searched for online are Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Tap, Contemporary, Musical Theater, Song and Dance, and Acrobatics. These styles of dance are found at a multidisciplinary dance studio. Other styles you might find are flamenco, belly dance, street or breakdance, African, heels, aerial and many more. These are often found at specialty schools. Take time to find the style(s) that your kid enjoys and they will thrive!

You want to find the style of dance that will excite your child to develop the passion and joy for dance. They may be inspired to learn hip hop or aerial from a show they have seen. Once your child gets serious about dance, it's important to get enrolled in ballet. Ballet provides the strength, flexibility, and technique needed for all other dance forms. Adding on other classes to enhance their progress and ability is always something you can look into in the future.

3. Performances

It's very exciting for your child to show off the learning and progress achieved throughout the year in an annual performance. The performance opportunities at each dance school are vastly different. Some schools focus on performance through competition, others do in-class demonstrations. One of the highlights for your child is getting under the lights, in a fun costume, and hearing the applause of the audience. Schools that offer performances provide the opportunity for your child to build their confidence in being in front of others. The fear of being in front of others affects 4 out of 10 adults. When children develop the confidence to perform in front of others at a young age, they are far less likely to be affected by this social phobia. Doing a performance at least 2-3 times per year helps your child's cognitive and social skills as they work with others towards a common goal. The common goal of a finished dance on stage has very rewarding results.

4. Curriculum and Lesson Plans

A dance curriculum is a learning structure that has been developed to advance a student's skill, technique, and performance in some form of progressive sequence. Look for a school that follows some type of syllabus or curriculum and a structured process for advancement. Many dance schools incorporate students' capability to pass some sort of test or evaluation. Evaluations usually do not commence until a child is of school age. Parents of students in a preschool program may be provided awareness of their child's progress, but not a formal exam. What's important for a parent to know is that their teacher and child are being held to a high standard of safety in their training.

5. Class Sizes

Some schools have strict student to teacher ratios. Others do not. Consider how many students are permitted in each class when choosing a dance school. A large dance school with class size limits means the school is able to offer a few of the same classes over several days. This gives you the option to enroll in different classes and still get the adequate attention they need. Dance schools with set class sizes means you may be told a class is almost full. This is generally not a sales ploy to get you to sign up on the day, but an indication that you will need to make a decision sooner rather than later.

6. Uniforms / Dress Code

Most dance schools have some sort of dress code standards within their school. This may range from general outline or standard of the types of attire to specific school uniforms with specific hair requirements. Different disciplines have different training needs for a student's dress code. For example, a hip hop class may have a more relaxed approach to the dress, so that students can express themselves. In aerial, students need specific unitards to prevent excessive skin rubbing on the apparatuses the students are using. In ballet, a tight bun is necessary for learning rapid turns without getting their hair in their eyes. In most cases, you will also have to buy specific shoes such as ballet or tap shoes. Many schools do have second-hand shoes available as students outgrow them or choose to follow different paths. Uniforms and shoes are definitely another cash outlay that you need to consider when choosing a dance school.

7. Facilities

Look for a dance school that has a facility where your child can safely learn. Inside the classroom, you want to make sure that it's a large unobstructed area that allows several students to be in a lesson without trampling over each other. Some rooms need high ceiling clearance for lifts, jumps or other tricks such as in acrobatics or partnering class. Every room needs full length mirrors so that the dancers are able to see the placement of their bodies.

Flooring needs to have sprung subfloors and a non-slip top surface designed for dancing. This ensures that your child can train safely without slipping or rigidity. The floor needs to aid in their training, whether it is ballet, tap, or acrobatics.

Sturdy barres. Ballet barres and stall bars are necessary for all styles of dance to help build certain techniques and stretches. Some barres are portable and others are fixed to the walls. Either way, make sure the facility has the training tools your child needs to learn effectively and safely.

You want a dance school that also has an area for pick-up and drop off, clean and accessible bathrooms, and water stations for keeping your child hydrated. You want to have a place to observe your preschool age child, a place where hallways and lobbies that are neat and tidy, and staff always available to assist your child outside of the classroom. Most importantly you are looking for a dance school that tells you this is a safe place where you feel confident leaving your child.

8. Competition

Another thing to consider when looking for a dance school is their involvement in dance competitions. Some studios place great importance on participation in dance competitions, and winning trophies for their studio. This can create a highly competitive environment. Other studios don't participate at all. Competition CAN help your child focus on their goals with like minded students. Make sure your child is serious about dance before looking into these competition programs. If that is what your child is ready for, find a studio that values the POSITIVE BENEFITS of competition rather than just the results of competition.

If you're not sure about competition, consider these factors:

• Competitions give dancers the opportunity to perfect their performance skills and when working in a group can develop great camaraderie, friendship and teamwork within children.
• Competition can add pressure or expectations. Your child must already have a deep joy and passion for dance. Once they add competition to their training, time is now spent on perfecting timing and unison of dance routines, in addition to developing strong technique, strength, and flexibility. Look for a studio that balances both.
• Competitions generally also mean extra time, money and effort from all involved. More costumes, extra lessons, road trips and weekends to neighboring towns and sometimes states are all part and parcel of the dance competition life.

After you have considered all factors for your child it's time to choose your school, enroll, and watch your child grow.

We know that your child's development is your top priority. It's ours too. Join our award winning school, voted Best Studio for 15 years in a row, and CHANGE YOUR CHILD'S LIFE THROUGH DANCE!