Dance teacher has asked DD to stop all other clubs and up her dance...

[ZippyLippy]

DD is still so young.

She attends a dance school (not an actual school) but she does so many classes with them (all the ones she can do for her age) she is there all day Saturday, at the moment - doing ballet, tap, musical theatre, conditioning, tumbling, etc. etc. she is there from 9 am - 6 pm. It's bloody long, but she loves it.

She also does swimming, football, parkour and art club. These are all in the week though.

Her dance teacher has suggested she drops all these and attends some other (invitation only) classes in the week. Things like junior ballet scholars class, etc. and has asked her to join their junior competition team (without an audition) which requires 3 extra classes a week and then a competition once a month.

Does this sound like a lot? She is young, but absolutely loves it, she'd drop all her other classes in a heartbeat for dance, but is that really a good idea?

[dodobookends]

How old is she?

[ZippyLippy]

She's 7. I put it in chat too sorry I didn't realise this would get comments

[attheendoftheday]

I wouldn't be too keen. That's a lot of hours of dance at 7!

What does your dd want?

[leccybill]

The dance school teachers obvs think.she has talent, but it's up to your DD really.

My DD is almost 7 and does gymnastics, Rainbows, drama and street dance (and Recorders at school). She likes the variety and doesn't want to drop or increase anything.

[GraceGrape]

Ask the teacher if she could continue as she is for the time being and then increase her dancing in a year or so? 7 seems very young to commit so strongly to one area, and she already seems to be doing plenty of dance so would keep up with the necessary skills. In a year's time you might have more idea of whether it's worth the commitment.

[nancy75]

It's a very difficult balancing act at this age. It could be that your child really is talented and if she wants to become a professional dancer then she probably does need to be quite serious at an early age BUT how does a 7 year old know if they are going to want to be a professional dancer?!
I presume the extra classes cost extra money, please take into consideration some coaches will encourage students of all standards to take on more for financial reasons.
I think if your daughter is very keen I would go ahead, but make it clear she doesn't have to do it forever if she doesn't want to.

[BackforGood]

IMO 7 is very young to specialise, and also very young to be putting that many hours in.
I wouldn't - I think diversity is a good thing.

[nonicknameseemsavailable]

I have two dancing daughters. the 7 year old seems to show a lot of talent (the other is good too though) but there is no way she would be asked to do that amount of dancing at this age. To me it seems way too much. So many children change their mind about their hobbies when they are 8/9ish that to cut out the others, unless SHE is asking to, seems to be possibly a bad move. Those other activities will develop different life skills and also have different social groups so at 7 I think they are important. Having said that my two just do 4 styles of dance each a week - so 4hrs in total but they have no desire to do anything else, they would happily add more dance if we could afford it but we can't and I don't think I could cope with any more and I think they need some "other" time too. Only you and your daughter can decide what is right for her but to be honest if she is that talented then leaving it another year or so before specialising won't be a problem.

[123MothergotafleA]

I know a bit about this subject having had a daughter who ended up in dance college.
I deeply regret the amount of time and money (£££££) spent on this futile hobby.
She was extremely talented,and has worked abroad and seen the world.
However, there is very little work available for a dancer in this country. Most dancers end up on the cruise ships acting as unpaid crew in their off time.
In short, please encourage your child to do any clubs that pleases her, I found that dance teachers always want more and more. It's not good for your child to dedicate so much time to one hobby.

[Musicaldaughter2]

Depends on whether you would like it just as a hobby or want her to take it to great heights: there is a lot of pleasure you can obtain from doing a discipline like dance at a high level.
My dd gave up all other hobbies apart from one club (45 mins a week) age 13 in pursuit of high level violin, piano, singing and composition. It was definitely the right choice as she loves doing a small amount of hobbies to a really really high standard (grade 8 singing/diploma level on others now)
However, I would leave the choice till she is 8/9 because children start to get more perspective by that age and you can tell if the child really wants it despite other activities.

[Out2pasture]

The problem is the instructor has a strong financial incentive to encourage your daughter.

[dodobookends]

It honestly depends on how much you are prepared to invest, not only financially, but in time and at the expense of other family commitments; and whether or not your dc is genuinely exceptionally talented or it is just an all-consuming hobby.

[FarAwayHills]

The dance teacher is asking for a big commitment from both you and DD and it just depends if you are willing to do this. It's so true as PPs have said that dance teachers always want more and more and it is very easy to get sucked in to saying yes to everything.

While it is flattering to be invited to do competitions etc., 7 is still quite young to have to give the level of commitment required. At DDs dance school its frowned upon to miss group practices so birthday parties and play dates can be tricky. You also need to consider the extra costs, travel and time involved for you attending these events. Don't get me wrong if your DD really wants to do it, it can be very rewarding and enormous fun just beware.