5 Helpful Tips
Parents want to be involved with their child’s extracurricular activities and help them succeed. It can be hard for many parents (especially those who did not do dance themselves) to navigate the dance world. Moms and dads may have questions about supporting their child and how to help them find success on their dance journey. At Nan’s School of Dance, we have compiled some helpful tips for our dance moms and dads that will be sure to help you “rock” the dance mom (or dad) role!
Empower Your Child
Dancers will have good days…and…they will have bad days. Some movements will come easier than others, and when your child has a setback, it is essential to empower them. Encourage them to speak with their teacher after class to take ownership of their dance experience and learn how to communicate. Strive to teach them to:
- Speak up for themselves
- Ask questions
- Advocate for themselves
Help Set Goals
Learning dance is a journey – there will be obstacles along the way. That is why goal-setting is a great way for kids to overcome obstacles. If there is a move or routine that they are struggling with, encourage them to set a goal. Learning how to set a goal and effectively work toward completing it is an undeniably valuable skill. So whenever you have a moment, collaborate with your child and:
- Set goals and benchmarks
- Brainstorm ways to achieve those goals
- Find ways to hold them accountable
Involvement: Find the Right Balance
Parents should be actively involved with their child’s dance while at the same time giving them the space they need. Parents need to let their children take responsibility and ownership of their training. At Nan’s dance we want our dancers to have fun and try to make the process enjoyable. Our instructors want you and your child to embrace the dance journey. So, try to listen to your child and provide support when needed.
- Do NOT micromanage
- Do NOT step in to fix everything
- Do listen and support your child
Emotional Support
The beautiful thing about dance is that it’s an art, which means it is full of emotion. Dance routines will evoke emotions from the audience and the dancers. Dancers will experience a wide range of emotions while on their dance journey. They will be overcome with joy when they have achieved their goals. On the other hand, they may be sad or frustrated if they have difficulty learning a particular move. Whatever the emotion, it is crucial to SUPPORT your child.
- Listen
- Ask how you can help
- Praise your child
Enjoy the Journey!
Throughout your child’s dance career, your child will learn and grow in ways that you haven’t yet imagined! Remember that you are along for this beautiful ride, and like most things in their childhood, it can go by a lot faster than we want! So enjoy this journey, mom and dad, because it is a beautiful one!
So Why Nan’s School of Dance?
At Nan’s School of Dance, our goal is to provide top-quality instruction at a competitive price. We encourage our students to reach technical proficiency in their favorite dance form and build self-discipline, poise and self-esteem. We offer instruction in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro, and Pre-Dance, at all levels.
We love having new members in our dance classes and will help get your child acclimated to our dance school to make them feel right at home. When your child attends Nan’s School of Dance, they will become a part of our dance family and share in our love for dance!
Don’t Forget to Register!
From ballet to hip hop, we offer dance classes for ALL ages and skill levels in a variety of styles. We place students in classes that will challenge them while offering a fun atmosphere for learning and growth. We also offer Mommy & Me classes, (18 months – 2.5 years). Register online or give us a call at 919-803-6044 to hold your spot!
Want to Read More About Dance?
Take a look at some of our other articles about dance.