Angelina Ballerina is a bit of a hero at
our house. A love of the little dancing mouse has sparked much twirling and
leaping about and with that an insistence on taking a dance class.
Extracurricular lessons of any kind are wonderful for developing children’s
social skills, confidence and concentration. Dance in particular is wonderful
for refining their motor skills and developing an appreciation for music. While
the benefits of a dance class is clear there is usually many different options
in each town- and in the city the possibilities are endless. How do you decide
which dance style or school best suits your little Princess or Prince? Pretty
Princess has prepared a guide to help you make the best decision for your
child’s introduction to the world of dance.
What
Style?
There are five different styles of Ballet-
and the dance world doesn’t stop there! Even Angelina Ballerina enjoys hip-hop
and jazz. How can you best decide which style will suit your child? Pop some
popcorn and settle down to watch some YouTube clips of different styles with
your little one. Explore jazz, ballet, tap, hip hop, modern, ballroom and
anything else that is available in your local area for children their age. If they are really wowed by what they see in
one particular style then investigate studios that offer that dance variety.
Which
School?
Teaching
Style
There are so many! Visit the school during
a class if you can. Some classes are very strict and form based others are more
relaxed and focus on expression. Some schools will work to examinations and
levels while others will not offer any formal measurement of ability. You know your child best and will be the best
judge of which kind of environment they will thrive in.
Cost
Don’t forget to get the whole picture on costs
before you sign up. Class fees vary wildly between schools and there are
sometimes hidden costs. Remember to ask:
·
Is there a sign up fee or
yearly fee?
·
Will we have to buy costumes?
How often?
·
Do we purchase tickets to
recitals? How much do they cost?
·
Will there be extra time and
financial commitments expected at performance times?
·
Is there a specific uniform?
How much does it cost?
A school that looks very cheap initially
may quickly become expensive with a lot of side fees!
Values
Do you know your dance schools values? You
will need to consider what kind of music and dance moves your comfortable with
for your child. Some schools are very progressive and may use music that
includes swearing and/or adult themes. If you aren’t comfortable with that be
sure to check what kind of music the school has used in the past and how they
choose their music and moves- do parents get a say in it?
Most schools require children to wear a
little makeup for recitals, some require a spray tan and hair pieces! Decide where
your limits are and make sure the school you pick lines up with your budget and
family values on cosmetics.
Classic ballet costumes are reasonable
predictable but some other styles may use revealing costumes. Check the schools
costume policy and look at photos of past performances to check that you will
feel comfortable with the clothes your child is expected to wear and perform
in.
A
Successful Start!
If your child tends to shyness then
preparation is everything! Think about watching a class and meeting the teacher
before they start officially. Listen to similar music at home and watch some
more YouTube clips in their chosen style (or maybe some Angelina Ballerina!).
If the school doesn’t have a specific
uniform be sure to choose comfortable soft clothing to practice in. Some brands
available are beautiful to look at but stiff and uncomfortable to move in. That
doesn’t mean you have to compromise on looks though. Pretty Princess stocks the
beautiful FLO dancewear. Designed by former ballerina Felicia Leoncelli these
pieces are soft to touch, beautiful to look at and perfect for ‘playing
dancing, or resting!’ Check out the perfectly pink Jewel Cap Leotard, made from
a luxurious breathable fabric it won’t cause itching and fidgeting! Pair it up
with the divine Diamante Tutu for the perfect Ballerina ensemble without the
stiff unmovable skirt.
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| Flo Dancewear Jewel Cap Leotard |
 |
| Flo Dancewear Diamante Tutu |
Happy Dancing!
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