How do you help your daughter choose the right kind of dance class for her?

Question

My daughter's a preschooler and has been attending baby dance lessons on Saturdays held at a local dance college which does dance courses all the way up to A Level standard. She loves dance classes (which is why she wanted me to put her in one in the first place), and from what I see they seem to mainly focus on tap dancing and ballet. Thing is, when she's 6 she will have to choose what kind of dance she wants to major in and the college does courses in "Rock School"(which is a type of ballet-like dance, not the same as the TV's "Rock School" programs about making rock music!), "Jazz Dance", "Modern Dance", "Ballet" and "Tap". I live in the UK and can't seem to find any good dance videos out there for children which showcase all the different types of dances. How do I help her choose the right kind of dance for her? (She definitely hates "Tap" dancing that's for sure, she told me...)

Answer 1

Ballet really is the foundation for everything, plus because it is harder, it is best learned young. As for jazz, many dance educators agree that it is not appropriate for children under 10 years old. And, personally, I view modern dance as a more mature style that requires a bit more life experience to convey the movement. This "Rock School" dance sounds like lyrical, which is not a valid style at all. It's fun, but not good for long-term technical development.

Ideally, it would be great if your daughter could continue with ballet and tap at this age. How long has she been studying tap? My daughter started ballet at 3 1/5 and added tap at 5. She also found tap to be frustrating at first because she's such a perfectionist. But tap is really good for instilling rhythm and setting the foundation for jazz later on.

I find it a little odd that this program forces students to make a choice and only pick one style. Must you stay with this program?

Answer 2

Have her take ballet. Ballet is the foundation for EVERY other form of classical dance. If she gets a strong ballet background, she'll be able to pick up other dance forms very easily. Without ballet, she'll only be mediocre at any other dance form. (I know some are going to disagree with me...but it's because they DIDN'T get that foundation). Ballet is the difference between dancing in high school and being truly competitive in the field of dance. My own daughter is a professional dancer who started on the ballet track. She is STILL taking ballet classes every day, although she is making her money doing videos and stage work---mostly hip-hop, jazz and tap. Ballet got her there.

Oh, and colleges do mostly modern. There is VERY little work for modern dancers (as the colleges just flood the market with them), but you have to know a little to get into the college dance depts. A year ought to do it.

Answer 3

I'd reccomend asking the college if they have a video of past performances. Sit down and watch the video with your daughter, and see what dances interest her most. Most younger children enjoy tap and jazz more than ballet (it is "too slow" for them, or they can't sit still long enough), but they do like wearing elegant ballet dresses. then again, if your daughter hates tap, she'd probably enjoy ballet. I wouldn't recommend modern dancing for younger children.

Answer 4

The only thing about ballet and some other dances is that it can ruin your feet. It takes a ton of practice and flexibility. Taking ballet is extremely beneficial, but you have to be extremely careful as with almost all other forms of dance and gymnastics. But if I had to reccomend something, I would probably reccomend ballet, because, like a previous user said, It is the basis for many other dances. Just make sure that your daughter enjoys whatever class she takes, if she doesn't like ballet, see if she'll take another class. If she decides she doesn't like dancing, then let her be, because one of the worst things a parent can do is take away their daughter or son's childhood by forcing them to do something they may not enjoy. I doubt you would force her to do take a class she didn't enjoy, but I made the last statement for any other parents that may read this.

Answer 5

My thoughts are that 3/4 year olds aren't going to retain a whole lot of technical stuff. If the dance for their recital has already been put in, then they will rehearse it so the girls don't forget. Unless you want the strict drill instructor studio, they will only do that at the beginning. The rest of the time is used to play around with dance, to have fun. So the kids don't lose interest. I would suggest either talking directly to the teacher/owner, so you can both be on the same page. Talk to one of the dancers moms, you know, the ones that are also hanging around and seem to know whats going on. Usually belonging to the older kids.

Answer 6

you should ask the dance place if she can tryout the different kinds of dance classes and then see which one she likes the best or also see if u can sit through the classes with your daughter and see which one she likes also i take dance myself and think that at the age of six she should stick with the basics like tap jazz and ballet and then choose when she is more experience so really it is all up to your daughter and which class she likes that best

Answer 7

It's odd that the school makes you choose. I have a friend who is nearly fourteen and does ballroom, ballet, modern and tap.
Anyway, if she wants to be in the theatre then jazz is good. I've heard that jazz and modern are similar and often lumped together under Showdance.

Answer 8

ballet cause if you start her in jazz because jazz is a little mixture of every thing it has certain hip hop and a little ballt in it and if she wants to move on to hip hop or ballet or something else she we will already know som steps and will be able to adapt quicker

Answer 9

Hate to burst your bubble, but asking a six year old what she wants to " major " in is ridiculous. Let her keep doing what she enjoys and most of all, let her be a child...!

Answer 10

I think it would to best what she like the most so she can, considerate more on what she like and enjoy the most.