What Should Your Child Expect on Their First Day of Dance Class?

Just like the first day of school, your child may be nervous about attending their first dance class. Maybe you, as a parent, are too. Unless you have been inside the world of dance before, you may not know what to expect and how to help prepare your little one.

You should expect your child’s first day of dance class to be structured in a way that includes a warm-up, learning new (and practicing) dance techniques, and wrapping up with a quick, short combination. There are also steps you can take to ensure you both are prepared for the first day.

To help prepare you and your child for their debut into the world of dance, we have put together some key tips to help you. Keep reading to find more information on what to expect on the first day, what to bring to class, tips on how to prepare your child, and information on deciding if you should stay or drop them off.

What to Expect on Your First Day?

Dance class teaches your child various dance techniques depending on the type of dance class they are signed up for – ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, etc. The dance teacher is there to guide your child through new techniques and skills needed for dancing and performing, as well as providing a fun and positive environment for your child to grow.

All dance classes typically consist of the following:

Warm-up: The dance teacher will start the class out by leading dancers through different warm-up exercises. During the initial class, this is a great ice breaker to get your child familiar with the room, teacher, and other dancers. Stretches warm up the dancers’ bodies, get their heart rate going, and get them excited and ready for the duration of the class.
Center of the Floor: Just like the name implies, this is when the dance teacher will lead the dancers in technical exercises in the center of the floor. In a ballet class, this might also consist of exercises at the barre.
Across the Floor: This part of class also is just what it sounds like. Dancers will line up, usually in two lines, at one end of the classroom. Then they take turns traveling across the floor practicing techniques that require a larger area or bigger range of motion – kicks, leaps, jumps, etc. The dance teacher will usually demonstrate and then coach dancers as they move across the floor in pairs of two.
Small Combination or Routine: To wrap up the class the dance teacher will teach dancers a short little routine or combination. The dance teacher will demonstrate the routine step-by-step, for the dancers to learn. This helps dancers establish performance skills, memorization skills, and to learn to dance to the beat of the music.

Depending on what studio your child is attending, who their dance teacher is, their age and skill level, and the type of dance class it may be structured a bit differently. The above is the standard structure of a typical dance class that you and your child can expect.

What Should You Bring to Class?

Being prepared for dance class will enable your child to focus and be comfortable during class. The most important to bring to your first day of class (and every class thereafter) is proper clothing.

Studios will often put together a list of what your child should wear to class. Most studios have a dress code. This is often given in a welcome packet or email when signing your child up for classes. If you have not received any information about attire, you can always contact your studio.

Purchasing the appropriate footwear for the type of dance class your child is taking is extremely important. You can’t attend tap class without tap shoes, right? Appropriate footwear also provides comfort for your child while spinning and jumping during class. More on how to prepare your child’s shoes for the first day in the next section.

The best way to make sure your child brings everything they will need for the first day (and every other class after then) is to create a dance bag. This can be a small backpack or a little duffel bag. You should fill your child’s dance bag with:

Bottle of water
Small light snack – your little one may be hungry after class
Extra hair ties, elastics, or scrunchies
Extra bobby pins
Extra outfit – especially for little ones in case they have an accident
A light jacket and/or sweatpants – something easy and warm to throw on over dance clothes in case it is cold outside before or after class

Keep a specific bag dedicated as your child’s dance bag and keep it stocked with the above. This will ensure your child will be prepared for class every week. If you are planning on dropping your child off and picking them up after, then they will have everything they need in case something comes up while you are gone.

How Can You Prepare Your Child For Class?

Your child may be nervous, excited, skeptical, etc. about their first day of dance class – or likely a mixture of feelings. Regardless here are some tips to prepare them for their first class:

Before the First Day

Talk to them about the day. The reason you signed them up for class was that they expressed interest in dance. Build off of that interest and get them pumped up and excited for the day.

Answer any questions they may have. Now that you have a general idea of the structure of a dance class you should be able to answer any questions about the class. If not contact your studio for additional questions. They are there to help!

Take your child in for a tour of the studio. Ask your studio if you and your child can come in and take a tour before their first day of class. This may help your child become familiar with the place beforehand, meet some staff and dancers, and get them excited seeing other dancers in a class.

Break-in your child’s dance shoes. Have them walk around the house periodically for a week or two to break them in. This will get them comfortable wearing their dance shoes and prevent any blisters from forming on the first day of class.

On the First Day of Class

Make sure your child is well-rested. Try to schedule classes around your child’s nap times and bedtime. You want them to enjoy the class and have the energy to learn and dance around with their friends.

Feed them a light snack before class. A little snack will give them a boost of energy before class and avoid them becoming hungry during class. Make sure it is light. No one wants a large meal right before partaking in any physical activity.

Get dressed before coming to the studio. Sometimes this may be difficult if you are coming from school or other activities, but putting on tights in a rush is never an easy task. Trust me.

Arrive early. This will help you and your child to check things out before class, introduced yourselves to the teacher, and break the ice with the other dancers. Being late will fluster your child and add to the first day jitters.

Should You Drop Off Your Child or Stay?

Deciding on whether to stay or drop off your child and pick them up later is completely up to you and your child. Do what is best for you both and fits both of your needs.

If your child is nervous, then it may be best for you to stay for the first week or so until they feel comfortable with you leaving. If your child is comfortable with you leaving, then many parents find it a great time to run errands or other tasks.

If you decide to stay, studios usually have a comfortable waiting area for you to wait in. Some studios have giant windows so you can see inside your child’s class and watch them. This may give your child, especially the little ones, peace of mind to be able to see you and know you are there.

Class observation policies are dependent on what studio you attend class at. Most studios do not allow parents in the dance room while class is in session because it can be a distraction from the learning. Sometimes the dance teacher will call in parents at the end of the class to watch a routine or combination.

Conclusion

Now you have a better understanding of what to expect on the first day and how to prepare your child for class. Hopefully, some of the anxiousness has faded away. Remember that the studio’s staff members are always there to answer any questions or provide any additional information you may need.