first dance class

Woo-Wee! Baby and Me!

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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! 

Setting Your Preschool Dancer up for Success This School Year

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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!