From ballet to ballroom, there are plenty of dance styles to choose from, and learning can be a great way of making new friends.
When my daughter announced, aged five, that she did not want to go to ballet classes, I have to admit to feeling a little disappointed. I’d made the mistake of thinking she would love to learn to dance. I’d also bought her all the kit she would need, including a pair of rather expensive ballet shoes. The real mistake I made was not consulting her about the classes first. I’d assumed it was something she would really enjoy because I’d loved dancing at her age and many of her friends were taking lessons too.
Then shortly after her seventh birthday, she changed her mind. Suddenly she has become interested in dance and is now keen to start lessons. I am certain the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing has had a lot to do with it. It has brought dance into our living rooms and shown children that it can be fun, a great form of exercise and a way of making new friends. Dance also helps improve balance, coordination, discipline, flexibility and stamina.
The start of the new academic year is a time when many parents consider after school activities. As our school isn’t running a dance class this year, we are looking at local dance schools instead and considering the different dance styles on offer.
AboutDanceSchools says it is important to consider a range of factors when choosing a dance school, including:
- The experience, training and teaching background of the dance teacher
- The basic philosophy of the dance school
- Class sizes
- The type of flooring the dance school has
- The cleanliness of the dance studio
- The cost of tuition
Growingkids has interesting information on the different styles of dance taught, including ballet, jazz, tap, hip-hop, ballroom, Irish and modern.
Learning to dance also requires a time commitment which is something to take into consideration before enrolling in a class. We like the idea of giving it a try and seeing where it leads.
Do your children dance? What advice would you give someone thinking of learning?
Other posts you may like
Love RosieScribble’s post? Read more 
8 Comments
Post a comment
You must be signed in to post to Ready for Ten.
Haven’t registered? It’s really quick and simple.
editor
02 September, 2010
Hi Rosie,
We actually joined a dance class before my girls were out of nappies to help us all meet new people and make friends. Over the years they have stuck at it and have very much enjoyed it, but and it's a massive but, the cost has been horrendous. They have a show coming up and for the cost of the costumes we could have had a week's holiday. no kidding. Honestly, when I say that out loud, I can't believe it, I don't spend money on lots of things and make sacrifices/savings elsewhere so that we can "afford" this stuff but it still grates a little and I do realise that not everyone can afford it, after school street dance sessions were brilliant and free as the lady taking them was a student.
mum
02 September, 2010
Good point, Linda. I suppose as well as the cost of lessons there are all the extra costs like leotards, dance shoes and costumes, as you say. Knowing my daughter she will change her mind again after a couple of weeks and then it will all have been a waste. I like the idea of after school street dance sessions. her school ran them last year and hopefully will do again in the future.
admin
02 September, 2010
Wow Linda I'm quite shocked by your comment - holidays are not cheap so I'm shocked that it was a choice between ballet or a holiday!
My little cherub started ballet, went for about 2 months and wasn't really fussed so we stopped going and now she does swimming instead. Fortunately I'd decided to buy second hand ballet shoes on ebay for £6.00 so don't feel to hard done by that they haven't been used, but I imagine it must be hard to swallow if you've spent hundreds.
Good luck to both of you I hope your little ballerinas go all the way then it will all be worth while!
Leigh
Ready for Ten Team
editor
14 September, 2010
Hi Leigh, I'm sorry I should have made myself clearer, we didn't have to not have a holiday for the price of dancing gear but we could have done. I bumped into a friend whose girls do more dancing than mine the other week and asked her if they were going on a trip organised by Guides, which was very cheap, but she said that they weren't as they had to choose. I can see this is a sensible approach and helps teach our kids about the value of money :) But this particular show has been so expensive, I know some parents just wouldn't have had any choice. When we raised the cost of the costumes for two daughters, we were told "well they do get to wear them twice" and when we asked what choice we had re the cost, we were told that the "choice" was not appearing in the show :)
mum
14 September, 2010
@JoAustin, those figures sound extortionate. £85 for uniform plus the cost of lessons on top? Goodness. And it seems unbelievable that your solicitor friend had to pay for her own CRB check because she offered to help chaperone. What is the world coming to?
14 September, 2010
I really like ballet for my little girl too. She started when she was 18 months or so, and it was a social activity for me really as I had friends with children going. She's nearly 4 now, and I have to agree with Linda that the amount of money you are expected to spend can really add up. Our ballet school sent us an e-mail last week to say it was introducing a uniform and we all have to buy it before January. It's £85, but if we order because Sept 24th we'll avoid the admin and postage fee! We've only just paid for the classes with were nearly £100. A friend of mine has an older girl and she has just had to pay hundreds for her to be in a show - to add insult to injury, she had to pay for her own CRB check when she offered to be a chaperone. She's a solicitor, so unlikely to have a criminal record!
Anyway, I do think it's worth it, for the reasons outlined in the post. It was very good for my daughter's confidence and most importantly she has always enjoyed it.
I just wish ballet was more accessible, and it would be if the uniform was simply a leotard and ballet shoes - max cost around £20.
mum
14 September, 2010
I know what you mean about the economics, my girls have both been doing some form of dance since the age of 2 and I hate to think of the accumulated cost. The very big plus, though, has been that it keeps them active, they have made great friends and I'm hoping it will be good for their posture and general fitness in later life. And it's fun! I always pass on outgrown stuff and got their ballroom kit from eBay - it's always worth asking other mums with older kids if they have any outgrown bits
15 September, 2010
My daughter is now 10 and has been dancing since the age of 3. Whilst everyone has already mentioned the huge cost of dance classes, uniform, show costumes etc etc,(which I totally agree with!) I thought I would mention some good positives I have found along the years.
My daughter has learnt stamina, strength, good posture, balance, co-ordination, (she has recently started trampoline lessons also, and after two sessions the teacher pointed out to me what great co-ordination and balance she has!), the ability to pick up routines (whether it be dancing/trampolining etc) very quickly. It has also given her great opportunity to mix with children of all ages (during classes and shows), make friends outside of school (some friendships have lasted years - they don't go to school together but regularly meet outside of dance classes). It has also given her bags of confidence to perform on a stage, whether it be in a group, or as a solo, to give ideas of her own at school and in groups when it comes to making up dance routines of her own. It has also given her a love music, rhythm and movement. So all in all, from nurturing a pre-schooler's love of music and dance, she has gained an awful lot over the years, and still continues to enjoy dance lessons - it is something she has never wanted to stop doing.