Advice on starting dance classes for toddler

[TheChineseChicken]

Wasn't sure of the right place for this.

DD is turning 2 soon and loves music and being active so I wanted to look at enrolling her in some dance classes. I don't have any background in this at all so wasn't sure what kind of class would be best.

In my area there seems to be a mix of eg pure ballet lessons and classes that look more relaxed and combine a variety of dance styles. The latter would I assume be more relaxed but would they actually provide a good enough training should she want to contribute as she gets older?

Hoping someone who knows about this could give some advice. Thanks

I would say that at this age the more relaxed class might suit her better, with ballet maybe at about age 4. That's just based on what my daughters liked.

Ask about trial sessions before committing.

Thanks for the advice, both. Exactly the kind of input I was looking for!

Dance classes for the very young need to be about enjoying dancing. Think of it more as music and movement, until at least school age.

Thanks, that was my instinct but having no personal experience I wasn't sure what to go for. She may well hate it, of course!

Serious ballet training doesn’t really start till they’re 7 or 8. But most children - particularly when they’re mostly pre-verbal - can get a lot from dance classes. My ballet studio director teaches the franchises Baby Ballet which is a lovely syllabus for children from 18 months to about 4. But she also runs street dance, acrobatics, tap, and contemporary dance so it’s not a total “bunhead” place. The children seem to thrive and seem very happy. So tryout some classes - what have you got to lose?

Um at age almost 2 won't any dance class involve lolloping about and ignoring the teacher? i wouldn't worry too much about the style of dance just pick a nice friendly one!!

fuzzy you mean it's too early to see if she's the next Darcy Bussell?

Lol well I'm only judging by my own two year olds..... maybe talent shows young who knows!

DD has been to some preschool ballet classes and some are very serious, for the age. The do ballet poses, flexing the toes saying bad toes, good toes, etc. DD find it very boring. Others are more relaxed and definitely more just bounce around for 45 min with music. I think definitely try them and see.

Well I can't see DD paying any attention to that kind of instruction yet so I think I'll look for something more relaxed to start with