Another dance question

So, I took the girls to their first ballet lesson, just to see how they liked it; they were allow to participate and everything. Sarah, my dancer, loved it. She did all the moves and was just really upset that she wasn't in a skirt like the other girls. Allison, on the other hand, just kind of watched and really wasn't that in to it..which she has not been as interested in dancing like she was just a few months ago. She did a little bit, but mostly just stood there and watched. I really want Sarah to be able to enjoy the lessons, as she is really loving it, but I don't want to force Allison to do something she isn't in to or ready for. Do you think she may get into it after a while or should I just hold off until next year and wait until they are both ready? I know a lot of you have girls that love it, but do they both love it equally as well?

 

I would put the one that is interested in the class and hold off on the other. She may change her tune once her sister begins, but if not, I wouldn't worry.

If she shows interest later, even a year later, she can try again. At this age, it's not like she's going to be behind her sister or anything.

Personally, I would have fun with the one that wants to go to class. Buy her a cute outfit and enjoy taking her to class. While she's in class, enjoy the 1:1 time with your other girl. My DD is in dance class and I love buying her cute outfits and fixing her hair and all that girlie stuff. I also love the 45 minutes I have with just my boys while she's in class (for my DD's age group, the parent's are supposed to stay - outside the dance studio in a waiting area of sorts). Sometimes they play like crazy, other times they just want to sit with me. I LOVE this time for my boys and my girl!

 

I agree with the PPer. Put the one who loves it in the class, and not the other one. When my boys were a little younger than your girls, I had one that did swimming on Sat. with daddy, and the other did gymnastics during the week (I had a friend who volunteered to watch the other one). I did it because one loved the water, and the other loved tumbling. I know next spring will be crazy for us, because Jon is really into baseball, and Marcus is really into soccer. Next spring is the first time that Marcus can do spring soccer, while Jon will do baseball. It will be crazy for me, but it will be doing what is best for each child.

 

I know my girls are younger than yours but I still wanted to share. When we started lessons this year I was in the same boat. One of my girls got into it right away and the other stood in the shadows not as interested.

It all changed though!! She may just need time to get familiar with what is going on. Now that we are several months into it, my DD who started off not seeming like she cared about it is the one who participates more!!

See what they withdrawal policy is. I personally would just give it a little bit more time.

 

I would give it more time to see if she is really interested in it and was just overwhelmed with the new environment. I have one DD who is takes a little longer for her to feel comfortable, but then once she does, ooh watch out!

Slightly OT: How young can you start them in your schools? My girls love doing their ballet (they say "Mommy I'm doing my ballet!") because our sitter's daughters are dancers. I'd love to enroll them this summer, but thought they'd be too young. But hmmm... maybe not. Now to convince DH

 

Leighann, some places have "mommy and me" classes at 2. But most won't take them as a "true" dance class until they are 3.

 

QUOTE(Leighann @ Apr 17 2009, 06:58 AM) [snapback]1277055[/snapback]
Slightly OT: How young can you start them in your schools? My girls love doing their ballet (they say "Mommy I'm doing my ballet!") because our sitter's daughters are dancers. I'd love to enroll them this summer, but thought they'd be too young. But hmmm... maybe not. Now to convince DH

My girls started a Toddler Time class at 2. Most other places around here don't start until 2.9.

 

jazz loves to dance but her lately jessy just stands there in class. Jessy dances all the time at home so I don't know. We are switching to tumbling for the summer

 

QUOTE(Leighann @ Apr 17 2009, 05:58 AM) [snapback]1277055[/snapback]
I would give it more time to see if she is really interested in it and was just overwhelmed with the new environment. I have one DD who is takes a little longer for her to feel comfortable, but then once she does, ooh watch out!

Slightly OT: How young can you start them in your schools? My girls love doing their ballet (they say "Mommy I'm doing my ballet!") because our sitter's daughters are dancers. I'd love to enroll them this summer, but thought they'd be too young. But hmmm... maybe not. Now to convince DH


The ballet school I took my girls to does a "Mommy and me dance" for 2 year olds. Then at 3 they start the classes without mommy.

Thanks for your replies. We have been outside today and both of the girls have been doing their little moves that they were taught last night. I am just so surprised at the way Allison was so shy last night. She is normally my go getter, but she most certainly wasn't last night. I guess she was just out of her element. She has asked several times about going back to dance, so I guess she really did like it after all.

 

That's good!! Keep us posted for sure!! :good:

 

the 1st year my girls started ballet I found out after about 3 classes that Jessica had just been sitting and watching, jorja was fully participtating. I asked Jessica did she want to keep dancing and she said no. So Jorja did dance for a year and jessica went to gymnastics. The following year jessica decided she wanted to do it and they both went together, this year they are both in tap. I think she was not ready for it the 1st year.

Could she maybe try it for a couple of weeks and if it doesn't work out try again next time?