Having your child take part in a dance studio class is a great way for them to stay active. Being physically active will also help them be more focused and attentive in school. Perhaps your child is already taking a dance class or ready to begin their dance education. Either way, you’re likely in the market for a dance studio program that caters to children and offers the best dance instruction. Choosing the right dance program for your child is vital as there are many things you will want to consider when making this decision. Here is how to choose the best dance studio program for your child.
Look for a Dance Program With a Good Reputation
The thing you should do is look at reviews online. You can usually find reviews on Google or Yelp if there is no official website where people can leave comments. If there are any negative comments, you need to know what they are to decide whether they are valid. If the issue was caused by something out of their control (like the weather), it may be okay to overlook it since they did everything they could to ensure everything went smoothly despite the circumstances. If there were issues with improper instruction or poor teaching methods, this could be a sign that this is not the right place for your child.
Talk to Other Parents Who’ve Had Similar Experiences
One of the very best ways to find out if a dance studio is worth your time and money is by asking around. Ask friends, family members, and other parents who they use for their kids’ dance classes. You may even want to ask the instructor or owner of the studio. If you have children in different age groups simultaneously, ask them about their experiences too! This will give you a great idea of what it’s like to work with this particular studio.
Keep an Eye on Fees for Classes
You want to choose a dance studio program for kids with reasonable class fees and cover all other expenses such as costumes, shoes and tights, makeup if necessary, etc. If additional fees are associated with competitions or performances, ensure these are included in the total price quoted by the dance studio. Hence, you know exactly how much money will go out each month.
Ask About the School’s Policies
Before signing up for the dance studio classes, ask about the school’s cancellation and refund policies. Some studios charge a fee if you cancel within 24 hours of the first class meeting. If this is not acceptable to you, ask if they offer an option that doesn’t charge this fee. Some studios also have no refund policy and will not offer any refunds even if they close due to weather or other issues beyond their control.
Consider Finding a Qualified Teacher
A qualified teacher has been trained in dance and music, knows how to teach students properly, and has years of experience working with kids. They should have an official teaching certificate from an accredited institution such as a university or college. You can also check this by contacting your local school board office or looking at their website online. If they don’t show credentials on their website, you should avoid them altogether, as they may not be qualified enough to teach children.
Research the Dance Classes They Offer
The other thing you should do when looking for a dance studio is research what classes they offer. Do they only offer ballet classes for kids? Or are they more diverse with classes like hip-hop and jazz? You should also check if they offer classes at different beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. This will help you determine if they cater to all ages and skill sets, making enrolling your child in classes that align with their abilities and interests easier.
Find a Dance Studio With a Good Community
Dance studios are like small communities. They need to be welcoming and supportive for kids to feel comfortable enough to learn new skills and grow as dancers. Look for open studios where kids can ask questions or work through their fears with other students and instructors. The best studios also offer parent participation opportunities, whether helping with class preparation or bringing snacks for the recital party.
Conclusion
Choosing a dance studio can be difficult. There are several factors to consider, and you have to be able to determine which programs are worth your child’s time and money. If you don’t have experience with dance programs and are unfamiliar with how they work, selecting the best studio for your child can be hard. What matters most is what the teachers teach, their philosophies on dance, the programs they teach and how effective their students are on stage. From there, it’s simply about being patient and doing your due diligence to find the best fit for your child. The internet has made it very easy for parents to access information about various studios, and hopefully, this blog post was very helpful in your research.
