Dance teachers

[shebird]

Are all dance teachers quite harsh and more critical than encouraging? My DDs dance teacher often makes quite harsh comments in lessons. I understand that this all part of the discipline and high standards required but sometimes I just wonder if this is the norm or are too accepting that this is just how things are?

It's how it is here, too. However, the dance school has several teachers, with different styles, so it isn't a '12 hours a week of constant criticism' scenario.

No, our dance teacher is very sweet and encouraging. There are no problems with discipline as the kids are all really engaged. There's another dance academy here with a harsh teacher and students are leaving in droves for the nice teacher.

No they're not all like that, although some dc's respond better to that approach rather than the sweet and encouraging way.

Stern criticism (backed up with very little praise) might motivate some kids to try their hardest, but with others it could destroy their inner confidence and self-belief (we learned the hard way).

If you believe your dc isn't happy, and is not thriving in the environment and might benefit from a more nurturing teacher, then it might be worth looking for another teacher/school.

ours is VERY strict and blunt but whilst my children do moan about it a bit they see to appreciate the honesty and refuse point blank to leave.

Out of schools nearby where I know children who go there is another very strict one, a couple who are in between and a couple who are really quite wishy washy, don't necessarily have any trouble with discipline but equally their corrections are as wishy washy as they are from what I gather so standards are a lot lower. I might misunderstand that but that is how it appears with what I get told.

I would say that in between is best obviously but if your child is happy where they are then it isn't really a problem. Having seen a bit behind the scenes of the professional performance side of things they are very blunt in this industry. Most children need never come across that side of it but if they want to go into dancing in the future sometimes it is best to get used to the harsher attitude so they don't get a real shock in auditions.

I think dance teachers are like school teachers, a complete mix. the difference is that you can't pick your school teacher but you can pick your dance teacher. if yours isn't working for your child then try somewhere else as you will probably easily find a personality that is a better fit.

Dd is hobby level so not sure whether it's the norm, but hers are pretty tough but fair. They don't gush with praise either, but when they do the kids know it's deserved.

Thanks for all of your thoughts. I think DD is mostly happy with her dance teacher. She is very dedicated and works hard but sometimes she comes back deflated saying the dance teacher said xyz and it makes me a bit annoyed. i think the dance teacher sometime forgets that they are children. Don't get me wrong, I quite like the discipline aspect as long as the criticism doesn't cross the line and do more harm than good.

Sometimes kids do get deflated when they receive criticism, but as long as they bounce back and don't take it to heart then no harm done.

Teachers are often the hardest on the children with the most potential after all, and most children genuinely want to please their teachers.

But - and it is a big but - it can occasionally get to the point where a promising young dancer feels that they will never be good enough, or can do no right however hard they try. They can consequently lose confidence in their own abilities and become demoralised.

I wish I'd spotted the signs sooner... it has already taken several years to put right some of the damage; and the light at the end of the tunnel is now hopefully in sight.