People who dance love it! Regardless of the style of dance, you and your child will develop skills for social interaction, spatial awareness, coordination, problem solving, concrete & abstract learning, development of gross & fine motor skills, music and rhythm and master so many life skills, which they can leverage throughout their lives.

Not all children go on to a career in dance, but you can often pick the ones who have spent time at a dance studio as they are well-rounded and thoughtful thanks to years of discipline and focus.

The following are some of the other life skills learned from dance:

Good posture

Knowing how to stand up straight is a skill for life and a straight spine makes you appear confident and can prevent the risk of back problems.

Dancers also get to know the names of their muscles and bones from an early age, something most children don’t start learning until they are in late primary or early high school.

Introduction to French

Allégro, Arabesque, Jeté and Plié are just a few of the French ballet terms that students will come to understand as they practice. Understanding French terminology can help when learning other languages or even studying English in detail.

Introduction to Music

Dance and music go hand in hand, so a student who wants to play an instrument will have an understanding of musical timing if they have experienced dance. Similarly, a student who learns music will have an advantage if they want to take up dance lessons.

Persistence

If at first you don’t succeed…

Dance is a lesson in patience as you do not go from your first class to Prima Ballerina status. Going over the same exercises can sometimes feel tedious, but dance classes teach that hard work, patience and persistence pays off, with the thrill of improving or mastering a new movement or by dancing an excellent performance.

Resilience

Sometimes to get the best from a dancer, the teacher may push them out of their comfort zone . This usually with gentle persuasion and encouragement, which helps build resilience.

Cultural awareness

Taking up dance opens the door to a whole world of cultural experiences. Young dancers are encouraged to learn different styles, and appreciate the artistry of each one.

As well as being closely tied to music, dance is connected to the visual arts. Photographers and painters all love to capture the movement of a dancer and your child is likely to be surrounded by beautiful images at their studio.

Good nutrition

A good dance school will encourage students to understand which foods are important for them, to help fuel the body and give it the energy it requires to dance well, as well as teach them how nutrition and hydration can aid recovery.

In the spirit of promoting a healthy, balanced studio which students and their families love to come to, here’s how to be a great dance parent

Be engaged (just not too engaged)

Your child’s emotional and physical health are important so chat with them after classes about how they did and how they are feeling. Dance can be challenging so they need to know they are supported. Self-reflection is essential for growth and it is important to encourage this.

It is not generally expected that parents stay and watch their child’s dance lessons once they reach a certain age. Ask your child to show you what they learned when you’re at home but don’t expect too much as they may be tired after their class and have had enough of dancing for the time being.

Encourage good self-care

In your supporting role as a Dance Parent, you should encourage your child to become more independent. This means taking responsibility for their own shoes, uniform and costumes, having good grooming and being well presented.

As they get older, your child should be able to pack their bag with everything they need for their class, including a spare uniform, water bottle and a snack.

If your child is coming home from dance lessons in a bad mood, talk to them about why. If need be, book an appointment to speak with their teacher (the teacher may not be able to give you their full attention right after a class).

Support your studio as a team player

Good dance parents are proud and supportive of all children at the school and make time (within reason) to help out and help share the load to make things easier for everyone.

To reduce costs, dance schools often ask for help with costumes, ticket sales and supervision during performances. If you can spare a few hours, it would be greatly appreciated.

What’s more, as a good Dance Parent, aim to promote a positive attitude. Your child’s dance studio should be a fun and happy place for students to come to. If you’re not happy, the door is always open for a two-way discussion and the chance to work with the Directors to find a solution. Dance can often be seen as an all-female domain but it doesn’t have to be that way and Dads are always welcome to be just as closely involved with their child’s dance training.

Dance bags tend to get overfilled, so how much of that stuff is necessary?

Below we have listed items you should have in your ballet bag. Your go-to list of supplies will be different depending on your individual needs and the type of dance you do, however there are a few items that are commonly found throughout dancers of all disciplines and ages.

Please find below the list of must-haves:

1. Reusable water bottle
   Exercise is thirsty work and it’s important to stay hydrated, regardless of your dancers age please check that they bring a full water bottle to class. Staying hydrated throughout class or at a concert to ensure maximum performance and having a water bottle to hand during class minimises interruptions. teachers quickly become frustrated by students who are constantly asking to be excused so they can leave the room or rehearsal space to get a drink!
2. A snack
   While students are encouraged not to eat during lessons, having something in your bag for yourself or your child can be very helpful particularly for younger students. Dancing is a high energy sport and most children are ready for something to eat the moment their class wraps up. Having something healthy to hand will prevent a trip through the drive-through on the way home. It is encouraged to pack a full lunch box for concert rehearsals, so students can snack between dances to keep their energy levels up. Please check with their teachers or read concert communication to confirm foods that should be avoided as trace element’s may affect students with allergies or may not be eaten near or in costumes.
3. Hair ties
   Each style of dance has a different requirement for hair, but keeping hair pulled back is essential so there are never enough hair ties!Please keep extra hair ties and pins as they are easily lost, and it can be very distracting to have to continue a class if one breaks.Similarly, a small can of hairspray kept in your dance bag can be a lifesaver.
4. Spare uniform
   It always helps to have an extra leotard and set of tights handy as they are so important.There is nothing worse than getting ready to step out on stage, only to realise you have a run in your tights from ankle to hip.
5. Deodorant
   Not so much for young dancers… but older dancers need a sports-quality deodorant for top ups during long hours at the studio, especially during summer.
6. The right dance bag and a few extras…
   Stay organised by having a reliable, good quality bag for your dance gear.Keep your spares in it so you can grab it as you rush out the door including band aids, a stretch bandage and a power bar are some good just-in-case supplies to keep in your bag.Place a separate, soft bag inside your dance bag for shoes and one for dirty, sweaty clothes. You may even be able to find a bag with a separate compartment for these. A slightly large pair of tracksuit pants and a hoodie are helpful items for dancers in a hurry. They can be thrown on over a dance uniform before or after class to prevent the need to get changed at the studio. A warm wrap to wear between lessons or turns and a towel will also come in handy for all dancers. In winter, remember to rug up when leaving a warm studio for the Winter weather outdoors. A pair of ‘warm-up’ boots are easy to slip on after class and can even be popped on over shoes for a fast getaway.
   Wash bag
   Please remember dance-wear can be delicate so washing your clothes in a lingerie bag is very helpful. Putting tights securely in a bag like this will help prevent them from getting ladders from the washing machine. As tights aren’t cheap, this investment can get more life from them.