Dance Classes

I know it depends on the Dance place, the age requirements, but I was just curious when people put their little ones in dance class. I think DD would really enjoy them and it would help her get out a lot of energy.

What kind of classes are they in?

 

My oldest daughter in now 9...will be 10 in May and has been dancing since she has been 3. If Bella is ready..I will put her in when she is 3..this is when our dance studio starts them out. She is also starting pre-school...so I will see if she is ready to take on dance also.

 

My girls take ballet. Here, they have to be 4 before they can start.

 

mine are four and are starting in the spring

 

Kayla has been dancing since she was about 2. She LOVES it! We have her in combo tap and ballet. The thing about starting young is the dance instuctors expectations. At some studios you won't be allowed inside the classroom, so she will need to be able to separate from you. You can watch from the window so she can still see you though.

The first studio we went to, took things a little too seriously. It was very, very structured. We switched studios when Kayla's little friend was kicked out of the class. The teacher said her friend couldn't follow the rules and was a distraction. Now we are at a studio that makes it fun for the girls. They use wands, musical instuments, etc.

Most studios will allow you a trial class. Sessions are normally about 6 weeks (Toddler is 1 day a week for 1/2 hour). As they get bigger, the pre-school class is 45 min one day a week. If your not sure you want to start at a studio, you could always try parks and rec. They may even have a dance class that you could take together! HTH!!

 

My daughter is my mom's only granddaughter, so my mom has been all excited to see LuLu take dance. Our local Y offers ballet for 3 and up, so my mom signed her up for a 6 week session as a b-day present. I had a hunch LuLu was not ready, but my mom had her heart set on it.

It was a total flop!
LuLu lost interest during every class. She kept poking her head out the door to talk to her brothers and begging me to go play in the gym (which is in the same building). Needless to say, I didn't sign her up for the winter session. Maybe some kids can handle it at 3, but I knew LuLu just wasn't ready!

 

I haven't tried any with my little guys... but when my dd was little they had a mommy and me class we went to starting at 1.5 years. You have to do everything with them- but it was very fun. I am friends with the instructor who said she has twins in her class now and the mom takes one and she takes the other...good thing it isn't triplets :icon_biggrin: Anyhow- I think 3 or 4 is right on unless you can be in there with them...
Lanie

 

Katelyn takes a dance class through our city programs. It is specifically for 2-3 year-olds. She will be starting her second session next week. It is so cute to see them and the teacher specializes in young children, so she is teaching them through play.

 

I did a Mommy-n-Me class when DD was almost 2. It was really hard to get her attention. The class was for ages 2-4 and I could tell a huge difference in behavior for 3 and 4 year olds... they were much more attentive. I think it depends on the child. I may do the same class when my 1 year old is 2- she'll be 2.5 when it starts. I will judge her at that point.

 

My girls started taking ballet and tap about 2 months before their 3rd birthday. They absolutely love it!!

 

I've seen places where they allow 2 year olds but most are for 3 and up. My girls tried it at 3.5 years for a few weeks and then we switched them to gymnastics because dance just didn't use up enough of their energy. They took the class again from 4-4.5 years but jumped at the chance to switch back to gymnastics when the class was over.

My girls have tons and tons of energy so dance just wasn't the right outlet for them. Gymnastics allowed them to run around alot more and climb on things.

 

Our pre-school does folk dancing. So they started that--very non-intensive when they were 2.
I was going to start them in pre-ballet at three, but the class was for 3 to 5 year-olds, 5 days a week for 90 minutes!!! I thought that was a little too much so we choose music class instead which is 50 minutes, 2 days a week.

If your looking for something to release energy--we have a yogakids video. It's absolutely amazing what 3 year olds can do. I love it. It keeps me sane on rainy weekends.

 

Mine started a ballet/tap combo class at 2 - one of them loved it and one of them ended up spending each class out in the waiting area with me, so I pulled her out. Now, at 3 they both love it. DON'T buy the shoes until you're sure they're both into it - especially tap shoes since they're expensive. Our dance studio has a great box of lost/donated shoes that parents can borrow from.

Best,
Mia

 

My husband and I own a Dance Studio....in Orange County......We start the kids off at 2.5 years old. (Creative Dance) Once they are 3 years old they can begin other classes. Creative Dance is just a pre-dance class - dexterity, following instructions, rythum, hand-eye coordination....The kids love it, and if they are not shy it is great for them to make friends. Here is our website. www.laderaranchdance.com

 

I have been trying to find something in my area that is during the evening because I work full time. Ashley is doing headstands in her crib, so I was thinking a gymnastics class would be great for them.

 

Where my oldest DD used to take it you had to be 2.5 years old to start. I have seen some dance classes for 2 year olds, but nothing around here for under 2. My DD was a little over 3 when we started her.

 

Our local scool does a mommy and me at 18 months and regular classes at 3. The girls will be starting at 3 and I'm so excited. Note: I am not athletically inclined at all. I am very lucky that I can sing and play basic songson the piano

 

My oldest started when she was 3yo. with pre-ballet, 1 day a week for 30 minutes. Parents couldn't watch due to being a distraction but they did have observation days. I think her class had 7 giggly s and as parents we were just glad they all stood in a line for their recital and didn't run off! BTW - the younger classes are so darn cute with what they do they will always steal the show! Now she is 4yo and in a 45 minute ballet/tap combo. Their teacher is excellent and realistic I think. She makes it very fun and keeps things moving. HTH!

 

Sorry I don't have an answer for you but I can't wait until dd is old enough for dance classes! I think she'd really like it and it will be so cute.