When should I start my child in dance?

This is the question I hear most often: "What age is best to begin dance lessons?" In order to answer this question, parents should ask a few others. Would introducing dance at a young age be too pushy? If I introduce her when she gets older, would it put her at a disadvantage? The answers to these questions are unique to each child and so important to think about when it comes to your child's self-esteem. I have a little advice on this topic and would love to hear from other moms who have been through it.

How young?
It’s hard to pick a specific age because every kid is different; it all depends on the child. I have taught two-year-olds that did very well and I have taught six-year-olds that were definitely not ready. There are so many things that contribute to how well your child will do in a class that it is definitely a trial-and-error process. You should first look into how early the studio you are interested in will take a child. Most will take them after they are potty trained (which I don't understand because diapers are much easier than having to stop a class to clean up an accident). When you feel like you want to try your child in a class, that is when you should begin looking around.

Shop Around.
You need to shop around different studios and find one that has the procedures that make most sense to you and your child. There will not be one studio that is best for every family. Try a class before you sign up. Some studios will allow you to try a class for free and some studios will charge a small fee for the trial class. Most have a non-refundable registration fee, so be sure the class will fit your child's needs before making the commitment.

Reasons.
If your child was not comfortable, or didn't seem ready for the class, ask yourself "Why?" Was the teacher too strict or not strict enough? Was the music too loud? Were the lights too bright? Did another child say something to her? Do she not like her dance clothes? Did the class progress too quickly and cause frustration? There are many questions we can ask ourselves. Your child may want to dance, but other factors about the class may have caused her to become embarrassed or afraid. If you find the cause, you might be able to speak with the teacher to see what can be done. I'm sure all instructors would rather know what they can do to help the child progress than to have her quit.

Sometimes, nothing you try helps and you must conclude that "maybe my child isn't quite ready". Try your best to have open communication with your child so she can feel comfortable in telling you how she truly feels. Let her know that you will be proud of her whether she decides to dance or play soccer. Some children force themselves to do a certain activity because they are afraid of disappointing a loved one. Let them know that you will always love them no matter what. This will be the best way to build their self-esteem now and avoid frustration in the future.

What next?
If you have decided a dance class will be too much for her at this point, don't give up. I feel that children need something to help them learn important life skills, such as: communication with peers, listening to teachers, obeying simple commands, taking turns, etc. By participating in some type of extracurricular activity, they can gain these skills as well as feel a sense of accomplishment, pride, self-worth and much more. If you think your child may like dance in the future you could always try gymnastics or along those lines. They would be able to play on fun equipment and learn cool tricks at the same time as learning how to act in a more structured environment. I have heard great things about The Little Gym and Kindermusik. Both these companies can help your child build on her love for music and movement without feeling pressured or pushed into an environment she isn't ready for.

No matter what our children choose to do, we need to show support toward something that will help them feel accepted and appreciated!