dance class?

[linda_loo]

Does your child* take dance class? Let's discuss.

Just curious if she or he does, and wanted to have a little discussion about it. I think that my dd (4.5) would enjoy class, but I have some reservations about getting her involved in the activity. Some of which are cost-related but more of them are worries about my daughters being in an activity where body-issues can be problemmatic. I know that many women enjoy the dance-class-recital *culture*, but I don't want my child in make-up and sexualized costuming at an early age. I don't want her to wish to starve herself to be thinner than another girl in the class. While I realize that such isn't the norm (and hopefully not even an issue at the age of 5), I taught enough bulemics and anorexics over the years to worry about this possibility. I would love for my child to have education in the arts and to honor and respect her body. I would just feel better about avoiding the pitfalls that can occur with it.

There is a studio near here, that advertises that their classes are focused on fun. The teacher/owner has a BA in dance, and I have heard wonderful things about her, so I feel pretty confident that the fun is educational.

* I put this in the 4 and up category forum, but I am really thinking 5 or even 6 and up. I am thinking less about preschoolers, but more about children that are school-age... aware of their body and the size of it... ones who have social connections with others their own age... and specifically ones who have made the conscious decision and/or expression of interest to take a dance class.

[dancn226]

Hi, i just wanted to say that if your intrested in getting your 4 year old in classes (did I mention I teach dance, and studied dance for 23 years) to try and start off with a park district. This way, its more cost effective, and its a lot about fun.

I teach at a park distrcit, and I know from experience, that a lot of the costuems for this age are nothing but adorable. The older you start getting with your child I woudl start questioning it. Some of the older costumes get pretty risque. But I also think if you find the right person that has a good enough knowledge of how they want to present there dancers they will know the difference. Personally, I don't like to put any of my girls in costumes that you can see the stomache.

As for weight issues, this is something that has come a long way. I have danced for 23 years, and have never been told to loose weight, or to get on a scale. I truley believe that there are so many different body types in life, and there are also so many different styles of dance in life, that no matter what, you will find something that you lvoe to do and also that fits you. So I really wouldn't worry about that right now.

I love the fact that the studio you discussed is all abotu fun. To me, that is what dance should be about! Go to one of the dance recitals, and just check it out and go from there!!

Good luck!

[blondegirl]

DD is now 7, and has been in dance class since she was about 4.5 years. She just finished her last dance class in May, and started doing soccer instead!!

Her 1st 2 years were at a dance class done through the city, not a formal dance studio or anything. The last dance class was a studio that advertises focus on fun, like you posted. We have never had any issues like the ones you mentioned. DD is an average 7 year (and always has been) - not stick thin like some, but by no means overweight - just jealthy. Make sense?? There has always been a variety of body types in her classes, and weight never came up in any discussions about the other kids in the class. She always had so much fun at the recitals. And it was our call as to how much makeup we put on, if we didn't feel comfortable using to much, we didn't have too. And the costumes always seemed pretty "age appropriate". I think alot of it depends on the type of dance studio you choose.

[princesse]

Hey you, I can't believe we have not talked about this. I have found in both dance schools that DD has gone to that it has really been a non issue. First of all all of the teachers she has had have been a very healthy weight, if not over weight. They do not pay any attention at *all* to what the kids look like. I think the only way that this creeps in is if you have the kids go to very professional school that is run by a professional ballet company where the teachers are all practicing professional ballerinas and the student teachers are also professional or serious students heading to performance schools. I have found both dance schools to promote incredibly healthy body images for all girls....all the way up to the high school age classes where girls of all body types continue to take advanced classes.

Vive la dance! I think the most important thing is that the kids are loving it and having a great time. If that is happening there is going to be a healthy environment. I think you will find most dance schools to have standards like you would expect from music. Gymnastic places I worry a little more about.....

[EJH]

Interesting topic, and one I think about a lot, even though my DD is only 15 months right now.

I was a dancer for 17 years -- started when I was 3. I loved it. I refused to branch out and try other things, because if I played X (soccer, bball etc), I might miss a dance class. It kept me in great physical shape for those 17 years, and we didn't watch what we ate, per se. Everything was negated by diet coke ;) . I never gave a thought to my weight until I quit dancing, and kept eating what I did when I was dancing 6 days a week (7 doing show season). For me, I never thought about my body when I was dancing, I never thought about dance as exercise, but it was and it was so good for me.

That said, I did dance with several people with body image issues, who would go on cabage soup diets to try and get super thin in hopes of getting the best part. (One of the girls I danced with for many years made news when she died of a heart attack because the director of a big time/big city ballet company suggested she lose 15lbs off of her 100lb frame.)

In terms of costumes etc. In my hometown there were two big studios. My studio/director didn't believe in competitions or sexually provocative costumes for the youngsters. The other studio did. It completely depends on the studio you pick, I think.

Dancing is a great way for kids to be active. We will put DD in dance as soon as she's old enough, she loves to dance already. I would love for her to be as into it as I was, but knowing what I know about the dance world, I will keep a close eye out for things I find questionnable. For me, dance was fun. That dance studio was my second home. I hope my DD is able to find something she loves so much.

I know my post is all over the place -- but I have so many thoughts and feelings on this issue!!

Erin

[firefly]

We're thinking of putting dd(4.5) into dance but we're waiting a little bit more probably next school year. (mostly for scheduling/cost) issues.

found out that the cheapest closest dance studio loves to do the sexy dances, lots of girations and 'thrusting', skimpy costumes etc.

the most expensive, worst scheduled class times (mainly during school hours or at bedtime) are the most classic instructors and feeds into the local professional dance schools.

the others I have no reviews on.

I like you want it to be a fun, experience. I loved ballet as a kid, and I was never the skinniest. I never noticed until 5th grade when it was pointed out to me so kindly by a peer that I was a fatty. I didn't want to do ballet after that year. :(

anyways. it was never the teacher she was a wonderful lady who's costumes were all built off of leotards. (we had to make our own. boy did the moms love that :rolleyes:

anywhoo.

I guess I just wanted to say that I feel your pain

[polydactylcat]

Our dance class experience has been pretty positive - even though it's not through the park district, the cost has been reasonable and they offer "non-performance" courses through various ages. I wasn't really sure if my DD was ready for any sort of performance and was also worried about the whole "costuming" aspect so soon so we kept her in a lower-key class. I feel the instructors have really emphasized the fun in dance. The girls and instructors we see in the other classes (elementary through high school) all have varying range of body types as well. I agree that it really does depend with the studio itself and what their philosophy is.

[princesse]

The costumes for the most part I have found are really just adorable. In my studio even the older girls wear appropriate costumes that I don't consider to be, well, skanky. Dance costumes show some skin, that's just how it is, but they aren't racey or nasty.

They little girl costumes are so sweet. One thing I just love about my studio is that I detest about some others is the make-up thing...... for our shows they have the girls wear a little bit and pull their hair back and that is it. There are other studios where I know they have the girls just pack it on then slop on the glitter. On top of that they have the girls all wear "phony ponies" so that they all have the same hair. That gets really obnoxious. Again I have seen this more in gymnastics/cheer studios than in most dance studios.

All in all I would say it is a very positive experience for the girls.

[linda_loo]

princesse - we have only talked a little about this, I have been quietly watching you for a couple years. I remember you talking about the "other" school at a parade (more dance/cheer, IIRC). We can talk about this later, but I also have concerns about taking classes where we live. You know, it's like Fox Chapel or Mt. Lebanon and ... oh, I don't know. I guess I just don't want to throw my kids into the situation where they are in one of these trophy-wife-run places, because we will never be able to keep up with those Joneses. I would rather put all my effort into putting them in something where we can keep up. Maybe they'll both want to play clarinet? ;) (but yeah, I know that we live here and they have to get used to it some time) It's hard to describe. We'll talk.

polydactylcat & blondegirl - it sounds like you have found good fits for your children, that is really good to hear.

firefly - from what I have heard, I think "finding out" is earlier than when we were kids... and I know you know my own feelings about these size topics, right? We should chat about this some time.

EJH - the big studio in my hometown had a pretty big repuation (or at least from everything I heard) for pressure to lose weight. For 5 years, I worked with the HS marching band, where we had close to 80 dancers (it was a big band). I taught music, not dance, but I heard enough about the young women in that group (and enough about the ones that were in the group when I was in HS). There was always a handful of girls that we were worried about. Ones who were constantly dieting, making bathroom trips right after eating, etc. Word was that they had a lot of pressure from their studio. Sad.

dancn226 - what is a "park district"? Here is the school that I was talking about... can you get an impression of them, based on their website?
http://www.melissanemetzschoolofdance.com/home.nxg

[firefly]

Linda I think your right about kids noticing that. Thankfully my kid specifically isn't interested in body stuff yet. she recently told me that her best friend (who's Black) has different skin than her but then kept on going about T's clothes... so i'm not sure if it was that T had brown skin or that her clothes were different. *shrug*

I think keeping it in sight (for the parents) is important to keep it a non issue(for kids) . ykwim?

I think it'll be more of an issue for our younger ones. because of the older kids experiences and influences.

[mamax2]

I don't have a child of this age yet, but my 3 y.o. is already asking to go to dance class. I've thought of this issue for all the same reasons you mentioned and recently discussed it w/DH's cousins who have 9 y.o. triplet girls, all in some form of dance throughout their lives. They highly recommended going through a YMCA program because of the more 'wholesome' nature. The don't do any costumed recitals (just a leotard and skirt of some sort - parent/girl's choice). They've also had a lot of success with Irish Step Dancing and all three girls now participate in that form of dance which doesn't really have the 'ballerina complex'. A parks and recreation program (as previously mentioned) would probably be similar. Your county or town recreation office could point you in the right direction.

[LyLMyssChaos]

This is a topic that I will be watching as my 3 year old is constantly BEGGING me to let her take dance lessons. We put her in a short term class(twice a week for 3 weeks) last summer through our community education program. This class was more about teaching body awareness (walking backwards, doing a "bear crawl," "ballet walks" aka walking on your toes, etc.) My daughter was not fond of the class( she wanted to do "real dancing"), so we decided to wait another year or so before trying again. The other kids, however, LOVED it. They actually have some other mini-classes for ages 3-6 this session and the next session where they learn a dance from one of the Disney Princess Movies and their costume is them dressed as that character. My daughter was very excitd to do that class, but I didn't think she was quite ready to actually participate and follow the structured steps, so I decided to hold off a little bit longer. For what it's worth, my daughter has the "natural ballerina frame" so I'm hoping she keeps it as she has told us for the last year that she is going to be a ballerina when she grows up and was dancing as soon as she could walk. I'm so worried that I'm going to have to deal with a broken hearted ballerina if her body shape changes.

[bea_mama]

My 3 year old DD has recently started the "Tiny Dancers" ballet class at the YMCA. So far so good, and she really likes it. They do recitals once a year, but we haven't gotten to that point yet, so not sure. But it seems to be a quality program and I'm happy with it - if it veered at all to the over-sexualized/skimpy dance costumes, I'd avoid it.

I wanted to let her do dance classes b/c we're in the stage with her of letting her try all sorts of different activities so she can pick the one(s) she likes the best. I do worry about body image issues, just b/c I want her to feel that her body is strong and healthy and not worry about being fat. But, in my mind, the best way for her to feel good about her body is to become skilled - at swimming, dance, or whatever other activity she is happy doing. I was always very thin as a child and adolescent but never really found anything athletic that I really liked and was good at. So, she asked to do dancing and we're giving it a try.

I think that finding a quality program - where the emphases are body movement, gracefulness, musicality, fun - is key to maintaining good self image. We'll see.:)

[ManteoChik]

I danced for 10 years, starting at age 3, and would have danced MUCH longer had an injury not stopped me. In fact, I probably would have gone into dance professionaly and I'm still considering getting back into it, although only for personal reasons .

For me (and the other students), dance was never about body image or skanky dances and costumes. I agree with others that you really have to do your research when it comes to different studios. Visit them all, and not just when they open - but go see one of their classes and if possible go to a recital. You will get to see the dances, costumes, and student interaction.

My little sister, now 8, has been doing gymnastics since she was about 5. She expressed an interest in dance, since her big sister (me) had done it and she'd seen all the pictures. Her mom (my stepmom) completely brushed it off because of her own personal opinion about little girls who take dance class...without ever researching the issue. Instead, she put my little sister in gymnastics. She enjoyed gymnastics and has done it for the past three years. Her gymnastics teacher is also a cheerleading coach and has a little girls class. When my little sister expressed interest in taking cheerleading and her mom wasn't exactly happy...again, her own personal opinon about cheerleaders. She ended up letting her take the mini cheerleading class and she LOVED it. After her mom put a little bit more research into it she has realized that she was too quick to judge from what she had seen on TV.