to be irritated by ballet teacher telling the mums we can't watch any more...

[jamsandwich]

they're doing pre-school ballet FFS, none of us expect them to become professional. It's just a laugh for them (and oh, such enertainment for us); learning real ballet moves is way down the list of why she's there as far as I'm concerned. DD (3.7) started ballet last term and the mums started off in the hall and we have gradually and happily backed off into a little foyer area where we can still see each other, but they generally get on with it.
But there is one kid who does quite often come to talk to her mum, so disrupting the class, so I feel like it's just a reaction to her.

DD is anxious in social settings, selectively mute and I just think if she can't see me and be reassured by that, it's going to stop being fun for her and start being like going to nursery on her own, which she does 3 days per week.

Do other pre-school ballet mummies have to leave the building when their Dying Swans take to the floor?

I'd say generally yes.

We're lucky there is a window in the dance studio.

Tis very hilarious isn't it

I know my SIL had to once the first term was over for my niece.

Well, it has to be one or the other. Parents were never allowed to watch dance classes when we were little, too distracting. They probably have parents days sometimes when you can watch?

oh shame, is this the norm then?
Obviously it's all about me, me, me - but the idea of missing out on all those mermaid tails, good feet, ballet glue and the other nonsense they get up to...Tuesdays just won't be the same any more

Our ballet school has always had this rule and tbh I feel it is a good one. One parents' viewing a term.

yabu
I teach preschool sports classes and the kids are so much better when the parents are there. They can concentrate much better.

Dds ballet class has a no watching rule but they put on a big show atthe end of the year.

at the

YABU. It is really hard for the teacher to conduct the class when the children are being distracted by the mummies. It is quite normal to exclude parents. We are usually invited to watch the last class of term so we can see what they have been up to.

I teach preschool music and the parents have to be there. However I also expect them not to talk to each other and to join in.

I think there may be a gap in the market for a preschool dance class where everyone in the room has a go.

I think at preschool age the parents should be allowed to watch

How old are they? I think it is the norm to leave them from about 3. DS' dance teacher expects me to leave him even though he is only 2. I attempted to leave him last week like she wanted and he definitely disrupted the class much more than if i'd been standing in the doorway watching like i had the week before.

I've had to join in tap before!

They're all 3 and 4 yo. I love thirtypence's idea - we did join in the first session and it was hilarious for all concerned.
Just feels like the teachers think that learning to dance is the most important thing...

Well of course the teacher thinks learning to dance is the most important thing. She is a dance teacher conducting a dance class.

Oh, they're complete idiots about it. I pulled my daughter out of one ballet school because they threw me out of the church hall where they were doing their fannying about ballet because I stayed in the hall to breastfeed my 3mo baby. I was sitting in the corner of an L-shaped room with my back to them but this was deemed against helf n safety and an unnecessary distraction for the students .

Of course they think its important. Ballet is progressive most ballerinas start dancing at about 3 at that age they are learning the basics.
They are taking parents money to teach them ballet and that is what they should be doing. If they are a proper ballet school children will have to do gradings later on so its important they get the basics. If you just want your child to have a dance about whilst you watch then find a melody tots or music and movement something equivelant.

Proper ballet lessons only start at 3 and i wouldn't expect to leave a child under 3 anyone offering to teach ballet to under 3's are just using the name. Baby ballet for example is really a dance and movement class.

But most music and movement classes don't demand a pink leotard, pink floaty skirt and pink slippers. I think it is the outfit that most under-6s are interested in - certainly none of the children in my daughter's class have shown the least aptitude (although much misplaced enthusiasm).

Message withdrawn

dilemma where in west midlands are you?

I've been fortunate I really rang around and found classes run by a mum of 3 who admits she is far more easy going with it all since she's had her own children. so long a they're loosly joining in and enjoying it she goes with the flow.

No instance of uniform until the take exams which she doesn't insist on either.

She actually lets some children carry on who aren't good enough to take exams but move up with their friends just because they enjoy it!

our ballet teacher doesnt bother with pre-primary, just starts from primary... and often teachers skip that too as far as exams are concerned and just start with Grade 1. Children can start later too - e.g., DD3 went straight into Grade 2 lessons aged 8 yrs with no prior training. Future ballerinas do not have to start at 3 yrs, that's so young.

That's all off at a bit of a tangent I know.... Back to the point: At the pre-school age it's just a bit of fun, which makes me think maybe parents should be able to watch. On the other hand, it will probably distract the children, so on balance I think parents should only watch the specific open classes at the end of term. V. tempting to try and watch though - I often try to peek at my DD2's grade 4 lesson!

It's compulsory for parents to stay with children having a lesson at my house too (at least initially). All the research shows that those with an interested and involved parents will succeed in music. I find it very strange that a related art form should be so very different.

Ds started cello at 3 - but I was certainly expected to be there. Suzuki string lessons also teach the parent and they have to be there every week.

I take responsibility for teaching the children music and the parents take responsibility for everything else including trips to the bathroom and remembering the music.

It's interesting that most people think IABU. We live in a rural area, so if you want to dance, it's got to be ballet and this is the only person doing classes. It's nothing as grand as a ballet school - church hall, tutus and teacher. I am genuinely about the idea that at this age (3-4) the point of the class is learning to dance. I've just had a think about all the things I'd put above that - having fun/ building confidence/ making friends/ being able to relate in a non-verbal way (note that DD has selective mutism, so this is a big issue for her)/ learning to stand still and listen to a teacher/ learning to concentrate/ becoming more aware of how your body moves/ improving coordination and balance. Oh, and learning to do ballet.

I promise I'm not being facetious, it's just that it never occurred to me that the teacher would get so serious about it so early on!

Cargirl's class sounds spot-on, shame there aren't more like this.

In our class if they need the bathroom they come to the room outside where all the parents are so we can take them. I can understand them not wanting us in there - it is a small room. Just wish there was a window or something.