Welcome to Ballet! How to help your child settle in: 4-5 years
Term 4 is underway and we are already having so much fun! I hope you have enjoyed meeting me
Here are some tips to help your little dancer settle into her new ballet classes, especially for 4-5 year olds:
* Talk to them about coming to class. Children do better when they know what to expect. Speak to her about what she is going to learn in class, count down the sleeps to her first lesson, show them some pictures from our group, let them know how much fun they are going to have!
* Get a special dancing outfit for her that is just for dancing. This helps build the excitement and helps her to feel like a real ballerina. At this age, children can feel self-conscious if they are the only one in class without an outfit. You don't need to spend much money- have a look at our FAQ page on places to find dance outfits.
* Be on time, or better yet come 5 minutes early, to the first class. This gives them time to warm up to the room in a quiet, calm way before the rest of the children arrive. It can be very unsettling to rush into the room late when everyone else has already started.
* Teach them the teachers name. We use manners at ballet so encourage them to tell the teacher their names, their age, and to say "Thankyou!" when it's time to go home.
* Make sure to do a toilet stop before class. When your child is nervous, she may need to go to the toilet more than usual. Leaving class half way through to go to the toilet can be disruptive so encourage your child to go before class starts.
* Let your child know where you will be sitting. Doing anything for the first time can be scary! Your little dancer will feel reassured if she knows where you will be sitting. She may come over for some reassurance- this is very normal, especially for the first few lessons! Give her a quick hug and send her back to have some more fun.
* If you are not staying to watch, please make sure your child is comfortable before you go. Bring her to sit next to me if she is feeling a little nervous and let her know that you will be back soon.
* If you are staying to watch, please be courteous and keep noise to a minimum. It's such a treat to be able to watch your little one dancing- I hope you enjoy it!
* Communicate with the teacher. Please let us know anything you'd like to share about your child. What is she like? Has she been in a group activity before? Is she particularly shy? Does she have another wee friend in class that she would like to stand by?
* Encourage any budding friendships. Having a friend to do ballet with makes class even more fun! Ask your child who she likes to stand by or dance with, and let the teacher know if your little dancer has a favourite friend. Friendships help build confidence, self-esteem and enjoyment in ballet class.
* Ask your child to show you their moves at home. Better yet, make a game out of it: she can be the ballet teacher who is going to show you what to do! This consolidates what they have learned in class and also gives them a big boost of self-confidence.
How can I tell if my child is ready?
The best indicator is if they leave with a smile on their face!
Confidence, concentration, participation and listening skills will grow as your little ballerina feels safe, learns the routines of class, and builds relationships with her teacher and new friends. If she is happy when she leaves and talks about coming back, then we count that as a win!
Even if your child has just watched for most of the class, you would be surprised how much she has taken in.
Parents often tell me that even with children who have not joined in much, when they go home, ballet is all they talk about. They show off their new moves, practice at home, and ask when they can come back to ballet class!
After your first lesson, I will come and have a chat with you about how your child has done, what you thought of the class, and which parts of class your child liked the best. Most of the children have a great time and are keen to sign up! You can fill out an enrollment form or get in touch after class to confirm your spot for the term.
I hope this has helped you with some tips on your child's first dance lesson with Amelia's Ballerinas. Please get in touch if you have any questions, you may have. I look forward to seeing you soon!
