Too young for dance class?

[monkeymiss]

I started sending DD, now nearly 3, to dance classes just after Christmas.

She came out the first class saying "That was good fun!", and so I signed her up for the rest of the term.

However I'm worried that it's a bit too advanced for her.

The class is technically for 2 1/2 to 4 year olds. As far as I can make out, all the other children are 4 years old. The children go in by themselves. Parents can get a glimpse of what is going on through a narrow window in the studio door, but you can't really watch the whole class and so it's hard to get a feel for how well she is coping.

From what I have seen, however, she seems to manage well, and she always seems to enjoy herself. However sometimes the routines look quite difficult, and DD has passed comment outside of the class that she can't do everything. It's a reputable dance school and the teacher is lovely, although young and not a parent herself (I think she might overestimate what very young children can do?).

She is quite mentally and physically advanced/capable for her age, but I'd hate to be demoralising her.

I'd be really keen to hear from parents of older children who had similar worries when their DCs were younger, and whether things turned out fine or in fact you regret offering opportunities at too young an age.

I think as long as your DD is enjoying it then no harm. My DD started dance class age 3 and loves it, although it is quite a basic class, pay as you go and not too stressful!

It would be an idea to ask her teacher how she thinks your DD is getting on with the routines?

As I say, as long as they enjoy it what harm.

In her first term or two ( or 3), no she won;t be able to "do everything" There is progression, she will gradually learn the skills the older children have already learnt. If the whole class was things a 2.10 yr old could do already it would be mighty dull for the 4 yr olds. Some of the kids will have been in that class for 7 terms.

If DD is enjoying herself and learning new skills roll with it and see how she goes. IF she stops WANTING to go, stop classes for a term and see if she WANTS to re start later.

If she's enjoying it i wouldn't worry? Why not ask her if she wants to keep going, then if she says yes you can feel confident you are doing the right thing as she is happy there.

Not sure what the problem is if she's enjoying it and no one has said anything that implies she's finding it too hard.
dd2 and ds both started dance at 2, and although ds is quite immature I wouldn't say he struggled to do/understand what they were doing.
dd1 started at 2.5yrs and did her first show at the end of term in a full theatre. Personally I didn't think she'd go on. In reality she wouldn't come off and had to be carried off. She's loved performing ever since.

My DD started dancing classes at teh age of 3 and within the 1st 3 months she was on stage at a dance competition as part of a troupe.
10 months later she had her first solo dance and now at 6 years old she has loads of solo dances, duets and troupes.

She loves it to bits and it has really brought her out of her shell.

I would say providing you daughter keeps enjoying herself and wants to go to class then let her.

I always said that the 1st time she turns around and says she doesnt want to go adn she has had enough of doing it then that is fine by me - i won't push or force her to do it - will just support her in making her own decisions

Hope that helps x

Thanks so much everyone for all the replies. They have really appeased my worries.

I will keep sending her unless she says, unprompted, that she doesn't want to go any more. I say unprompted as I have found recently that if I ask her whether she wants to go somewhere she sometimes says no even though I'm sure that's not how she feels. I think it's part of the stage she's at, and that she's learning that she can exercise control over her life.

She said last week that she didn't want to go, but I didn't want to mention this in my original post in case it was misleading. I think she was picking up on some of my concerns about the class and also she has previously parroted a reason not to go to something that she overheard from me talking to another mum. The class is at 4pm so it is quite late for her age (it's designed for children coming out of afternoon nursery really), but there isn't a viable alternative for us. I'll give it another term and see how it goes.

The teacher actually said this week how DD was starting to really focus and join in the routines, so that's good to hear. (Or is this just what they say as the end of term approaches, to encourage renewal? Cynical I know.)

But hearing from those above who say how confident it has made their DC is the main thing for me. Thanks again.

My DD is 2.7 and has been doing a ballet class for about a term now.

She is amoungst mainly 3/4 yr olds and probaly one of the youngest. Similar to you in that parents dont go in but can spy through the door window :)
At first she would kinda keep back abit and watch or dance alongside, holding the teachers hand. Over time I have noticed her joining in more and really getting the hang of the dance moves. Some stuff she still struggles with (watching her trying to skip along is hilarious!) or doesnt really join in with but that will come. The class would probably get boring if it wasnt alittle challenging with new things to learn.

Parents are allowed to watch the class before each half term which means you can see thier progress.

DD loves going, especially wearing her Tutu!

If you are concerned, have a chat to her teacher and maybe you could sit in on a class to see how shes getting on?

Thanks Pigley. I am hoping for an end of term show! If not will be sitting in on last class of term :)

what is annoying is when you have the 4 year old in the class and the teacher's time is taken up with escorting younger ones to the loo, or managing their behaviour b/c they aren't listening or can't follow instructions. or really just don't know what to do and wander off daydreaming.........

great that your little one is enjoying and having fun, but my little one loses a lot of class time becuase of the other children I've described!

I think there are children like that bluerodeo in every class - simialr to those that are in class at school.

The dance school my DD goes to has 2 classroom assistants that can either take the children to the toilet or take over from the main teacher so I find we dont really have that problem. (lucky really!)

I would have a look round at other classes monkeymiss - most do a saturday morning one which your DD might prefer rather than waiting until the end of the day.