To think that 3 years old is to young to take dance exams or any test for that matter?

[frecklyspeckly]

I decided to let my dd (3) go to dance class.
my friend has her daughter there, and I agreed. I was told that it was purely for fun and exercise. Well, apparently not so. discovered that they are put in for public dance demonstrations and dance exams in a few weeks. To be honest she is so young she hardly listens to the teacher as she is still, well, a toddler but it seems they are cross as she gets distracted so easily. Could hear them constantly telling her off as I was waiting in the changing room (we are not allowed into lesson
)I had a chat with teacher. She has said dd can take the exams at a later date but will be expected to 'improve her standard significantly' by then.It was obvious my dd is a bit of an annoyance today to them as she keeps talking when she shouldnt and facing wall when she goes into a dream. I feel like a freak for being the only parent who thinks it should be something fun and not taken so seriously. And I have bought the uniform now which I saved up for for weeks.To make things worse my mate has started to laugh whenever they start calling my daughters name - which apart from being embarassing is also very irritating as it stops me being able to hear what they are saying to her. None of the other little girls names seem to be called out like hers.
They have all seemed to take to it fine. She has only been going for 7 weeks, I am very premenstrual - which is not helping. to me she is little more than a baby - feel like something which was supposed to be nice has turned horrible. I am contemplating removing her until she is at least 5 what should i do?

I just thought Id post to say as of today I have cancelled the dance classes.

I did only put her in there because she loves dancing along to the Comfort advert, Lazytown etc and I thought she would love it, to go to a class and do proper dancing!

But there you go, my conclusion is in future I shall just let her do her own thing unless she is much older and understands whats going on.

Thanks to all who posted...now looking forward to a saturday morning in dressing gown whilst dd waves arms in front of telly to the adverts..

But I have heard they are starting baby synchronized swimming for the under 4 next week though at the swimming pool...

My dd 4.5 does ballet tap and Jazz and did her first exm at the weekend, she wasn't pushed into it and they can not fail, all students are invited to do exams and shows irelevant of whether they pay any attention or not, dd does not. Parents are also allowed into the class to watch (wouldn't miss it for the world so cute) although this is apparently unuisal.
If you are not happy look for another class.

My daughter adores being in shows, but there has been no talk of exams so far

I agree with ranting, at that age it should be fun. Yes encourage them to take exams if they are ready, but not belittle childrens abilities.