Advice for dance parents

Woo-Wee! Baby and Me!

by
toddler activities in Cedar Rapids

Do you have an adventurous toddler at home that wants to explore everything in sight? How about one who loves to play pretend? What about a shy toddler who is itching to break out of their shell and conquer their fears? Bring them over to our Baby and Me class, one of the best toddler activities in Cedar Rapids!  

Our Baby and Me classes are a fun-filled learning time for children 12-36 months. At that age, we know they are still SO young, which is why many families don’t think to sign them up for any activities just yet. But we are here to tell you about the MANY benefits of signing your baby up for a dance class!

Top 4 Benefits of Baby and Me dance classes at Prestige Dance Studio:

1. Improved Motor Skills

Toddlers all move through the stages of child development at different rates. In our Baby and Me classes, our students get the chance to leap, twirl, tiptoe, and crawl through obstacle courses. From balance beams to colorful tunnels, your child will feel like they are on a playground! Little do they know, they are working on motor skills that will speed up their development and enhance their coordination later in life.

2. Socialization

Many toddlers don’t get the chance to socialize with other kids their age. Our Baby and Me classes give students the chance to meet other kids and learn how to operate in a classroom setting. Sharing, turn-taking, and being kind are all concepts that we use during Baby and Me classes. Practicing these behavior standards at our studio will likely make their transition to pre-school and elementary school much smoother! 

3. Dancer-Parent Bonding Time!

As a parent myself, I can attest to how fast those toddler years come and go. Your child is only a baby for so long, and once they grow up, you can’t get those precious years back! Our Baby and Me classes are packed with pretend-play and games that are sure to bring TONS of precious smiles. The special bonding moments we see in class each week are priceless! Spend some quality time with your toddler before they are old enough to want to do things WITHOUT you! Oh no! 😉

4. Confidence Building

Seriously though, the transformations we witness in our toddler classes are kind of crazy! The first week of class, many toddlers are paralyzed with shyness, clinging to mom/dad, or even nervous to enter the room. It’s normal for a little one who is just getting acquainted to a new environment! But by the end of our Baby and Me classes, our toddlers are leaping through the air, diving onto our obstacle courses, and dancing for joy as soon as they hear music. We watch them go from nervous nellies to brave young movers who are willing to try new things. 

As a dance studio offering classes for all ages, we are proud to offer toddler activities in Cedar Rapids that are not only fun, but also educational for children. Our Baby and Me classes are packed with tools that will help your child grow and develop as people.

Ready to join the fun? Our Baby and Me classes take place at our Cedar Rapids location on Wednesdays at 9:30am and 5:30pm. We are still accepting enrollment and we would love to meet your tiny dancer! Head over to our website to register online today! 

4 Tips for the BEST Dance Year Ever!

by
Best Dance Studio in Cedar Rapids

It is back to dance time at Prestige Dance Studio. It has be SO fun to welcome dancers and their families back to the studio over the past month. We are ready to kick off our 7th season of dance classes in Cedar Rapids and Marion.

We know that the start of a new school year can be overwhelming for both kids and parents. There are new schedules, LOT of notes home, school supplies, lunches to pack… the list goes on and on! We want to help take a little of that mental load OFF your plate.

A little preparation at the start of a new dance year can go a long way! Our team has put together 4 tips to help set your dancer and your family up for success this school year. Ready for your BEST dance year over? Read on to learn more!

4 Tips for the Best Dance Year Ever:

Reflect!

Take a few minutes to reflect about last year. Think through the logistics of getting ready for dance class. What felt hard? Where were the struggles? Common issues that we see at the studio are getting the dance bag packed, getting hair done, and keeping your dancers fed. Encourage your dancer to think about they their progress in their dance classes. Did they reach their goals? Were they happy with their work ethic? A few minutes of journaling is a great idea for older dancers!

Tackle the Logistics

What could you do to make getting your dancer to the studio and ready for class easier? Simple wins might be buying an extra brush and gathering a second set of hair supplies that live in their dance bag. Maybe you keep some quick snacks in your car for the commute to the studio.

Think through your child’s schedule and review the dress code. Would a few extra pairs of tights eliminate stress on dance night? Can you pack their dance bag for the week on Sunday? Maybe a checklist would help your dancer take ownership of the “getting ready” process. Taking a few minutes to think about the logistics might reveal a few simple solutions! 

Set New Goals

Helping our students develop a growth mindset is SO important to our team at Prestige Dance Studio and one one of the reasons we are the best dance studio in Cedar Rapids! Setting aside a few minutes to discuss goals for the coming year with your dancer reminds them of what is possible! Encourage your dancer to write their goals down and put their list somewhere where they can look at them often.

Time to Take Action!

Go back to the list of goals and break each goal into actionable steps. What could they do in the next month to work towards their goals? If they are working towards mastering a new step, maybe they could devote an extra 10 minutes before class towards practicing. It doesn’t have to be complicated! Make a date to check in on their goals in a month. We having a feeling you will BOTH be surprised at how quickly small changes can lead to big outcomes.

Are you and your dancer ready to kick off your BEST dance year ever? We greatly appreciate ALL our dance families do to help set our dancers up for success. The support you offer your dancer makes what we do inside the studio even MORE impactful.

If you haven’t registered yet for the 2019/2020 school year, we would love to have your family join us. We are still accepting enrollment as space allows. Act quick! Many of our classes are already full. Our dancers are going to do great things this year and we can’t wait to see their growth! 

Ready to Join the Prestige Family?

by
Open House event

We are busy gearing up for another GREAT year of dance here at Prestige Dance Studio. Registration is open (and filling quick!) for the 2019/ 2020 school year session of dance classes. Even though it is only June, NOW is the time we encourage families to think about their plans for next year and reserve their child’s spot in a class.

Today, we wanted to break down our simple registration process. We do our best to keep things easy for families! Read on to learn how your family can spend the 2019/2020 school year at Prestige Dance Studio. We’d love to have you join us!

How to register for a dance class at Prestige Dance Studio:

  1. Review the dance class schedule. Read through the schedule and get a feel for the types of classes we offer. If you need a little bit more information about our classes, be sure to read through our class descriptions. Start talking to your child about which class (or classes!) they might be interested in. Looking through our gallery is a great way to give your child a visual of the different dance styles!
  2. Attend an Open House Event. We have several open house events planned over the summer. Attending an Open House event is a great way to see the studio, meet some of our teachers, and get a feel for our program. If you are ready to register, one of our helpful staff members can handle your registration in person. This is a great opportunity to get your questions answered and make sure your child has everything they need for class! Upcoming Open House Dates: June 25, July 24, and August 5
  3. Schedule a Trial Week. Need a little bit more help choosing a class? We understand! A trial class can be a great way to make sure your child LOVES dance and make sure our studio is a good fit for your family. We offer one week unlimited dance for $10 to families mid-June through November. Try a class (or several!) before committing. Sign up for your trial week HERE. One of our staff members will be in touch to help you find the best classes for your child!
  4. Time to enroll! Once you have chosen the best class for you child and picked a time that works for your family, it’s time to enroll! Registration is simple via our parent portal. You will be prompted to create an account if you are a new family to Prestige Dance Studio. If you run into trouble, we are happy to help!

After you enroll, it’s time to get excited! We LOVE welcoming families to Prestige Dance Studio. When you enroll in a dance class at Prestige, you are getting SO much more than just dance classes. We take pride in our commitment to not only creating beautiful dancers, but to shaping future leaders and strong people!

We hope to see YOUR family at one of our upcoming open house events. The future is VERY exciting here at Prestige Dance Studio and we’d love to have your family be a part of our journey.

Sharing our “Why”

by
Values at Prestige Dance Studio

It is an exciting time at Prestige Dance Studio! We are less than ONE week away from our Spring Recital. This is hands down our favorite time of the year. Seeing our students shine on stage and share their love of dance with their family and friends is SO rewarding.

We know that recital week requires a lot of energy and time from our dance families. We greatly appreciate ALL our families do to make our recital a success. In the midst of this busy week, we thought this was the perfect time to share a little behind the scenes. Today we are sharing  WHY we do what we do here at the studio. Read on to learn more about our studio values at Prestige Dance Studio!

“My goal, for every dancer that we see at the studio, is to provide them with amazing dance lessons. MORE importantly, we will teach them accountability. We will teach them commitment. We will help them identify which things are in their control.” -Jess Novotny

Accountability, commitment, and resilience are skills that will not only lead to success in the dance studio, but success in life! As we develop new class offerings, programs, and get ready for our spring recital, this goal is ALWAYS a part of the discussion.

Dancers have lots of opportunities to strengthen their resiliency throughout their dance journey at the studio. When dancers face challenges, studio owner Jess Novotny encourages students to think about what is in their control and what isn’t. Knowing what you can change and and what you can let go of is a powerful skill for our dancers to have in their tool belt! Life will always have struggles and hurdles. Our goal is that our dancers learn to take those struggles in stride and have strategies on hand for facing them head on!

We want to build strong kids that understand the value of hard work and go on to become successful adults. Of course, we hope along the way they become incredible, passionate dancers, but when we really break it down our number one priority is helping kids in the long run become good little people!

We could not be MORE proud of our dancers at the studio. It is a privilege to be a part of their journey and play a role in shaping their future. Thank to to ALL our dance families for trusting our vision and supporting everything we do. We are looking forward to an incredible 2019 Spring Recital and can’t wait to celebrate ALL our dancers have accomplished this school year!

 

 

Navigating the Recital: A Guide for First-time Dance Parents

by
first time dance parents

We are getting SO excited for our Annual Recital! Our students will be taking the stage Sunday, June 2 at the Paramount Theater. Watching our student do what they love on stage is one of the BEST parts of what we do at Prestige Dance Studio. Putting on a full production is a lot work! We greatly appreciate everything our staff, dancers, and dance families do in preparation for the big show. 

The first dance recital can be full of nonstop surprises for the first-time dance parent. Dance has its own culture of expectations and traditions, and they all converge on recital day.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, the following insider tips can help you make the most of your first dance recital, whether your dancer is a toddler or a teen. Read through our tips carefully, and if you need help or clarification, ask! Our dedicated team is happy to help. We want ALL our dance families to feel prepared and confident as they head into the performance. 

Insider Tips:

Bring snacks and activities. Recitals can seem long to young children, around an hour and a half of dancing in each show. Be prepared to stay and cheer for every number, and, more importantly, prepare for your dancer to be happy when he or she is back stage. Send some things to entertain your child; card games, a sketch pad or stuffed animal can make the wait much shorter. Also plan for your dancer to be hungry. Recital times often coincide with snack or meal times, so bring non-messy foods, such as dried fruit and nuts, cheese and crackers, or granola bars are good options. Avoid sodas and juices- just a cold bottle of water is perfect!

Costume tips and tricks. You may have several costumes to manage. When you pick up your child’s costumes, avoid the temptation to let her wear them before dress rehearsal. They should look fresh for the performance. Costumes can be itchy, too. Sequins and glitter come at the cost of comfort sometimes. All of our hairpieces are worn on the dancer’s right side. It also helps to keep accessories for each costume in a zip lock bag inside of each costume bag. And whatever you do, don’t forget your dancer’s shoes!

Come equipped. Planning and preparation are key. Bring tissues, make-up supplies, plenty of bobby pins and hair elastics. A comb and hairspray are crucial additions to your recital bag. And don’t forget a fresh new pair of tights!

About the hair. Speaking of bobby pins, a little bun know-how can go a long way. Check out our recital hair video here. Dance buns can seem daunting at first, but with a few practices and some insider knowledge, you’ll master them in no time. First, wet or damp hair is much easier to work with than dry hair with all its flyaway action. Texturizing spray is also a great tool to tame and prepare your dancer’s hair. Brush her hair out and pull it into a tight ponytail.

At this point, if your dancer has shorter to medium-length hair, you can use a bun-maker—also known as those squishy nets shaped like doughnuts and invest in some high-quality hair pins to secure the bun. A hairnet will help keep everything looking slick and smooth. Look for pins that are the same color as your dancer’s hair and tuck them in tight. Keep in mind that your dancer is going to be jumping and twirling, arms moving every which way. Building a hair-pin and hairspray fortress will help to keep that bun in place through all the action and in the short time that they wait backstage.

Don’t forget your tickets! All attendees are required to have a ticket for admittance (with the exception of the dancer). Our seating is general admission, so arriving early to secure seats is encouraged.

Plan for a gift. Recital gifts are a strong tradition in dance. You can pre-order flowers through the studio that you can pick up at the event. And if your dancer is not the flower type, they may love the annual recital animal this year! Younger dancers love receiving stuffed animals to help them remember their first recital for a long time to come.

Save the memories. If you can be at the dress rehearsal at the Paramount, consider taking photos and video there. The crowd is less…crowded, the children are in costume, and this frees you up to just be present and celebrate your child during the actual performance. Cameras are not allowed to be used during the recital performance. Even easier: just order the DVD that we produce. It’s an extra investment that pays for itself and your dancer can even enjoy watching the show at home.

Most of all, remember that our children are little emotional sponges. It’s normal for parents sometimes to feel anxious or nervous about their children’s first events. But work to avoid channeling your nerves to your child, who is just excited for a fun experience. Remind yourself of what’s most important (your child’s enjoyment of the show experience), take a deep breath and cheer for your dancer. If you observe that your dancer is nervous, remind him or her that everyone is there simply to celebrate a great year of dancing and to enjoy the show!

It is going to be another GREAT performance!

ps. Additional recital details, order forms, and schedules can all be found on our recital page! 

 

Get Your Shine On & Audition for our Performance Teams

by
Competitive Dance Team

One of the MOST rewarding parts of dance studio life is watching our kids learn to shine. We love watching our kids grow into captivating powerhouses that can command an audience. We see them make baby steps each week in class within our studio walls, but the here is so much value in giving our kids performance opportunities, which is why we have Performance Teams at Prestige!

Our studio is home to two different teams: our P.Co team and our P.Com team. Is your dancer loving dance and wanting more than just a weekly class? Are they itching to perform more than just once a year at recital? Both of these teams are a great way to give your dancer MORE opportunities to get their shine on this upcoming school year. Not sure which team is the right fit for your dancer? Let’s break down what each team is all about.

P.Co

Dancers on our P.Co team hit the stage at four regional dance competitions, one national competition, and attend dance conventions. Competing in all dance styles, P.Co dancers learn teamwork, responsibility, and sportsmanship.

This competitive dance team is perfect for dancers who are excited and energized by the idea of competing against talented dancers from other studios. It requires hard-work and a year long commitment to their team as they prepare for the exciting and fun-filled competition season.

P.Com

This team is Prestige Dance Studio’s community expo team. Performing 4-6 times per year in the Cedar Rapids area, these dancers learn hip hop and jazz routines and spread their love of dance throughout the community. This team is for our dancers who are itching to perform. Dancers learn discipline, teamwork, and showmanship. 

Do these teams sound like something that would get your dancer eager to hit the stage? We have three important dates for you to get the ball rolling! If your dancer is interested in joining one of performance teams for the 2019/2020 season, mark your calendar!

Good luck to all auditioning. We are looking forward to another amazing season and getting to know another talented group of inspiring dancers! 

Company/Community Parent Information Meeting – April 29th from 7:45-8:15pm

Don’t miss out on our Company/Community Parent Information Meeting! Get all your questions answered and make sure you are in the know about all things performance team related before audition day.

Performance Team Audition Prep Clinic – May 10th

Ease the nerves and come get a step up on what you need to know for 2019-2020 Company/Community auditions! We will be working on technique, flexibility, turns, leaps, and choreography. Clinic times are divided by age group:

Ages 4-6 4:15-5:15pm
Ages 7-9 5:15-6:30pm
Ages 10-12 6:30-7:45pm
Ages 13+ 7:45-9:00pm
$15 per dancer

Audition Day! – June 10th

Come tryout for a chance to join our team! All are welcome in our supportive audition environment! The transformations we see our team dancers make every single year and the relationships that form are inspiring! There is something about performing, it really brings out a kid’s inner superstar. Come join the fun!

Ages 4-6 4:15-5:00pm
Ages 7-9 5:00-6:00pm
Ages 10-12 6:00-7:15pm
Ages 13+ 7:15-8:30pm

Spend Your Summer with Prestige Dance Studio!

by

Who else is officially OVER IT when it comes to all things winter, snow, and cold? Us too, which is why we are already thinking about how we can make our dancers’ summer their best one yet. We have so many fun opportunities in the works! Not to mention how important it is for dancers to keep up their hard work over the summer months. It’s discouraging to come back in the fall feeling like all your hard work has gone out the window after 3 months of lounging around! Make sure that doesn’t happen this year! We have taken some time to tell you all about the many options we have for Summer 2019. Check it out!

Summer Classes – June 17th-July 24th

We offer a 6-week class session with offerings for all ages and dance styles. We have broken down the schedule by age and it is available online now!

How do I know this program is for me?
Our summer session is for dancers looking for consistent classes over their summer break. We highly recommend it for ALL of our dancers because it the BEST way to make sure they don’t lose the skills they work so hard on during the school year. Coming back to dance after 3 months off is hard on their bodies and minds, but our summer session is the perfect opportunity to keep dancing and set them up for success in the Fall.

What to Expect
Expect the same high-quality dance instruction that we deliver all school year long!

The Intensive – August 10th and 11th

Back by popular demand, The Intensive gives our dancers the opportunity to learn from guest teachers and choreographers that are flown in from all over the United States. We love it because it brings diversity and superb dance instruction to our talented students each year.

How do I know this program is for me?
The Intensive is for our students who want to take their dancing to new levels this school year. It is for our more serious dancers who are inspired by the idea of learning from fresh, new teachers. More importantly, our dancers who are interested in becoming a well-rounded dancer who is well-versed in many styles will thrive in our Intensive environment.

What to Expect
Two action-packed days of challenging classes from all dance styles with parent showcases for each level on Sunday.

The Ballet Experience – July 11th-13th and July 18th-20th

This ballet-focused workshop emphasizes technique and artistry. Hosted over 2 weekends in July, dancers are divided based on skill level for 3 days of ballet, ballet, and more ballet!

How do I know this program is for me?
This program is for our dancers who are looking to hone their skills this summer and keep their technique in check during their few months off.

What to Expect
3 days of inspiring instruction, classes focused on skill building and technique, an improvisation workshop, choreography workshop, and a parent showcase on the last day.

Magical Unicorn Camp – July 15th-18th

A mystical adventure for our young energetic dancers at Prestige Dance Studio.

How do I know this program is for me?
For ages 3-9, our magical unicorn camp will be sure to impress your young dancer who can’t get enough of sparkly unicorns. The camp is perfect for kids who are looking to make friends, be creative, and get some exercise over summer break.

What to Expect
An energetic, fun-filled week of rainbow obstacle course rides, structured movement activities, and glitter-filled crafts. Snacks included!

Tumbling Camp – June 3rd-6th

Don’t let summer break turn your flip into a flop! Join us for 3 days of tumbling where you are free to take risks in a safe environment with skilled instructors.

How do I know this program is for me?
This camp is for continuing tumbling students ages 3 and up looking to hone in on their tumbling skills and get some exercise over their summer vacation. Perfect for dancers looking to take their skills to the next level.

What to Expect
Divided by age and skill level, the athletes will move through a series of challenging drills and exercises. Equipped with spotters and safe assistive equipment, our students will feel free to really go for it. Each day will also include extensive stretching and technical drills to condition our tumblers’ bodies.

Turning Camp – June 3rd-6th

Turn your double pirouette into a triple this summer at our 4-day turning camp! Focusing on technique, coordination, and flexibility, this camp will make sure your turns are still on point when the Fall rolls around.

How do I know this program is for me?
This camp is another one recommended for our students who want to use this summer to take their technique to the next level. It’s also great for those that are dying to nail those 32 fouetté turns… now is your chance!

What to Expect
Turning drills, individual tips and corrections, and conditioning exercises.

Putting this list together has made us SO pumped for summer dance classes in Cedar Rapids! We are ready for the sun, pool time, and DANCE! We hope you are too! If you have any questions about our programs, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Register online today for all of our awesome summer dance programs! We can’t wait to see you there!

5 Reasons Why Dance is One of the Best Activities for Kids! Dance Makes You Smarter, Healthier, and More Confident!

by
best activities for kids

As a parent, we know there are TONS of activities for your kids to do. Of course, we are a little biased, but we truly feel that dance is one of the best gifts a parent can give their child. All of our staff members here at Prestige hold dance near and dear to their hearts. There is SO much value in dance that goes far beyond just learning the steps. Here are 5 reasons why dance is one of the best activities for kids!

1. Dance improves memory retention.

In our classes, our students are constantly learning sequences: warm-up sequences, across the floor sequences, and whole 3 minute dances. Our teachers help them with a technique called “chunking,” or grouping pieces of information together to make memorization easier. This is an essential technique that our dancers can take with them to school as they are studying for an exam. While a lot of other activities for kids involve physical activity, memorization skills are what makes dance all the more valuable.

2. Dance helps kids stay healthy.

It’s no surprise that our classes are a work-out! We challenge our dancers every day to push their bodies and challenge themselves physically. Dance requires strength; it takes muscle to hold your leg in the air while turning! Dance requires flexibility, which makes our students’ muscles and joints healthier as they move through stages of development. And cardiovascular health is a must-have in order to get through a 3-minute dance on stage. Our classes help kids stay healthy, and we love seeing them get up and MOVE!

3. Dancers learn incredible coordination and are pros at multitasking!

Ask any dancer and they will tell you that we are CONSTANTLY thinking about at least 6 things at once. One pirouette requires about 10 different actions that must all be completed in half a second. We are often reminding our students to point their toes, straighten their knees, bring their shoulders down and back, use their plie, strengthen their arms, chin up… the list goes on! When kids have the ability to think about many different things at once, their brains are better equipped to accomplish complex tasks and handle the stressors of everyday life.

4. Dance cultivates multiple styles of learning.

At school, education is often tailored to auditory learners or those who can hear words and turn those words into knowledge. But the fact is, that is NOT how every kid learns. In dance class, kids must use visual learning techniques to watch their teacher and translate movement into their own bodies. It also gives them a chance to explore their creativity. Dance works a child’s brain in ways that they don’t always have the opportunity to explore at school. Don’t believe us? Check out this article on why dance is just as important as math!

5. Dancers learn to be confident in their own skin.

This one is SO important for kids as they move through different stages of development. Perfecting a routine and performing for an audience makes kids step out of their comfort zone and show people what they can do. We really see students come out of their shell during performance season. Even in class, we watch our students become comfortable with their bodies as they realize all of the beautiful things they can accomplish. Dance (and teaching dance!) is SO rewarding.

Dance is FUN, and we know that holds value in and of itself. But parents, don’t worry. Behind all that fun is a whole set of valuable skills that are making your kid smarter, healthier, and more confident. Trust us, we see the wheels turning every single day.

We are still accepting enrollment in some classes if your child is looking for MORE dance! Check out our Cedar Rapids Schedule and our Marion Schedule. Just contact the studio to learn more! Happy dancing!

Why We Love Improv at Prestige Dance Studio

by

Improv Dance at Prestige Dance Studio

Dance improvisation (improv for short!) is the process of creating movement without a choreographer planning out the dance before it happens. It requires active and quick thinking on the dancer’s part, as they make decisions in the moment and express themselves with limited guidance. At Prestige Dance Studio, we love improv!  It is an essential tool for training smart and expressive young dancers.

Want to see our dancers in action? Check out this video we posted on Facebook of one of our dancers performing her improv. Beautiful!

We know that improv may not be everyone’s favorite part of class. It can be nerve-wracking and scary to have to think on the spot, especially when others are watching! For other dancers, it’s their time to shine and they LOVE it. Either way, it is so important for dancers to consistently work at their improv skills. A dancer is not a well-rounded mover if they can only perform choreography that others give to them. Their range of movement and sense of expression must also come from within themselves. Executing technical skills is just part of the equation. Dancers must be able to think and create as well!

Improv is an important skill as dancers to prepare to move beyond Prestige Dance Studio. All future teachers and choreographers will need to be extremely comfortable with improv! When improvising, dancers can often find themselves creating innovative moves or thinking of something that they’ve never done before. Everything you create while improvising then becomes part of your choreographic toolbox. Sharpening your improv skills is the first step in becoming a phenomenal choreographer!

Improvisation also teaches a dancer how to think on their feet, a skill that is CRUCIAL in the dance world. Whether it be a costume malfunction, a tiny stage you’ve never rehearsed on, or an injury that flares up in the middle of a dance, the show must go on. Improvisation gives your brain AND your body the skills to keep moving and make split-second decisions.

Lastly, we find improv incredibly freeing, and we love sharing that with our dancers. Because improvisation comes from within yourself, it is often seen as the best opportunity for dancers to express themselves. No one is feeding you the moves, it’s up to YOU, and only YOU. It is your time to shine and let everything inside be free. After improvising in front of people, it is almost inevitable that a dancer will gain confidence. It feels good to discover what you are capable of on your own!

We love watching our dancers improvise! We incorporate time for improv in our lyrical, jazz, and hip-hop classes as well as in our performance team rehearsals. The growth we see over the years as our dancers find their voices is so rewarding. Let yourself be free and find out what YOU can do with improv!

Setting Your Preschool Dancer up for Success This School Year

by
Preschool Dance Classes

Sending your preschooler off to dance class is a great milestone! We are so happy you’ve decided to share your child with our staff at Prestige Dance Studio and we can’t wait to teach them their dance class basics! Check out our 7 tips to set your preschool dancer up for success this school year:

  1. Dress the part!

Tiny dancers can get distracted easily if they have the wrong color shoes or if outfit malfunctions occur. Before class, make sure your dancer’s ballet slippers are tied tightly and their elastic bows are tucked in under the top of the shoe. For all other dance shoes, be sure that the laces are double knotted and there is little chance of them coming untied during class, as this causes a safety concern and a distraction. Make sure their hair is pulled up tightly off their face so they can see their instructor and stay focused. Lastly, take some time to review our dress code online, making sure your dancer has everything they need! 

2. Make sure your dancer is fed.

As parents, I’m sure that you’re all well aware of how CRABBY children can get when they are hungry. It’s hard for a preschooler to focus on ANYTHING and their hunger may be a buzzkill for not only them but the entire class. A healthy snack before class is a good idea!

3. Take your dancer to the bathroom right before class starts.

Potty breaks during preschool dance classes are inevitable- it happens! We understand and will always bring your child out to you when they have to go. However, it is often contagious with preschoolers! When one has to go, they ALL have to go. Plus, your dancer will miss a portion of class, taking away from their experience. We recommend taking them before class. 

4. Practice good health habits and teach your preschooler about germs.

This is especially important when flu season rolls around! Encourage your dancer to keep their hands out of their mouth/eyes, wash their hands effectively and frequently, and cover their mouth while sneezing/coughing. Additionally, if your preschooler has a bug, we encourage them to stay home and make the class up at a later date. We allow makeup classes anytime within a month of the date they missed.

5. Talk about what will happen when they arrive and plan your “goodbye” ahead of time.

This is a great way not only to get your dancer EXCITED for preschool dance class but also to make sure there are no surprises that may cause a meltdown. Explain to your dancer that they will learn new dance moves, play games, and meet other friends who like to dance too. The car ride to dance class is a great time to remind your young dancer that moms and dads aren’t allowed in dance class, reducing the chance of tears and tantrums when it comes time to say goodbye. Tell your child that you’ll say goodbye with hugs and kisses when the teacher is ready for class to start, and you can’t wait to see their new dance/tumbling moves after class.

6. Celebrate their victories, and remember just finishing an independent class is worth celebrating!

Even if your child didn’t quite nail their tendus, or their 1st position looked more like 2nd position, they still deserve all the positive reinforcement they can get. Preschool-aged dancers are all at different stages of development naturally, so participation is the key element that we look for when evaluating their success. If they finish class, listen to their teacher, and treat other dancers with respect, be sure to congratulate them! If their tendus are beautiful, that may call for a special treat! 🙂

7. Point out role models.

Prestige Dance Studio is buzzing with beautiful dancers that your preschooler will probably be in awe of. Remind your dancer that most of those dancers started just as young as them, and may have even had the same teachers. Use the older dancers as examples and incentives for learning and growth!

If you are thinking about signing your preschooler up for dance classes, you’re in luck! We are still accepting enrollment, but hurry! Space is limited and many classes are full. Check out the weekly schedules and get registered today. We would love to see your preschool dancer in class!