Jack Seager School of Dance

If your child has an interest in dance it can be natural as parents to want to encourage this as much as possible, however sometimes this can go too far. We can all do it, seeing our child has talent and so we push them to improve, but for those dipping their toes into the first dance lessons, this can be a lot of pressure and have the complete opposite effect. Instead, try some of these tips to keep it fun but focused:

1. Lighten up!

We get it, you’re having visions of your child going off to the Royal Ballet School, us too! But let’s not scare them off. For them to pursue dance they have to enjoy it, and to ensure they keep enjoying it, it has to be fun! So try asking them things like:

• Any new moves to teach me?
• Wanna try some of those new moves after dinner?

It can turn practice into having fun with you, helping you build bonds over dance and create happy memories that will keep them going during the tougher moments.

2. Create a dream practice space

We all built a clubhouse or den, all wanting a space that was ours. Give your child a space in the house for their dance, help them decorate with some ballerina posters or get more creative with a costume rack or two. The point is to have somewhere they can go to practice their dance where they feel safe and secure.

3. Practice is a sprint, not a marathon

Long practice sessions can be beneficial, don’t get us wrong, but that’s what their lessons are for. At home keep practice sessions to ten minute bursts, so if you want them to practice for 30 minutes that day, do 10 minute sessions. This will ensure they don’t get bored and have enough breaks in between to enjoy their time.

4. Learn from them

A lot of children enjoy relaying what they’ve learned, and love an opportunity to play teacher. Take an active interest in their lessons by asking them to teach you some of their moves, this gives them an opportunity to reinforce what they’ve learned in class.

5. Give them some structure (if they need it)

Some children thrive on structure and some enjoy being little balls of chaos, either is fine! But for those who enjoy structure try giving them a dance journal, after class and practice sessions at home they can write what they liked and didn’t like, what new moves they learned or what they wish they were better at. Or anything at all. This will help them get their thoughts processed and can give you a way to engage with us as your dance teachers without having to put your child on the spot to explain.

So what do you think?

Do these tips sound good to you? If you have any other suggestions feel free to drop them in the comments, I’m sure other parents would love to hear them! In the meantime if there is anything you would like to discuss with us please click here to send us a message.