Pre primary dancing exams

[User4891]

When do kids generally take their Pre-primary modern exam? DD will be 5 soon and a couple of friends of similar age have been told they will be doing their exam in a few weeks but it doesn't look like she's been put forward to do it... She's been dancing since age 2. With very little feedback as to how she's doing it's difficult to know exactly what the teachers are thinking or how close she is to being ready to take any of the exams.They only do exams twice a year. I'm a bit concerned tbh that she attends every week pretty much without fail and yet isn't being put in for the exam. Am I being one of 'those parents' to ask how close she is to doing it and whether they intend to put her in next time? I just don't want this to turn into her being strung along and not being progessed as quickly as her peers as this will eventually knock her confidence. What age did your kids take pre-primary exams?

The principles are the same for all dance forms at the age of 4 ! (Are you a trained dancer?)

My dd danced to level 5 in ballet and tap never once took an exam. She did it because she loved dancing and neither of us wanted added stress of exams.

As I said, I broadly agree with you - four is too young. My DD is a professional dancer (ballet) and had her first dance lesson at eight and a half. But there’s no harm in any child doing lessons earlier if the child wants and the parent can afford it. Most children learning dance aren’t aiming to be professionals. The U.K. dance teaching industry is an exam factory, unlike the rest of the world. But that’s the way it is.

I agree with a couple of others, particularly about individual progress at a young age.

99.9% of all children taking dance classes are not 'cut out for it' in one way or another. They don't have to be. Cut out for what, anyway? The whole point of recreational dance is that it is supposed to be a fun, enjoyable activity, just like most other things. And that is what you're paying for. You are not paying for on-the-job training.

There will always be a select few who appear to be the teacher's favourites, or always get picked for main parts or take their exams early. They aren't favourites - they have greater potential or inborn natural talent. That's just the way it is. It does grate with parents, because you are all paying good money for classes, and expect your child to be treated equally. Life's not like that though.

OP, as another pp mentioned, it is far more usual for dance schools to have a watching week at the end of every term, so you can see your offspring dance, and you can see what your money is paying for. The teachers should also be happy to talk about your dc and you shouldn't be getting brushed off. You are a paying customer, and if you aren't entirely happy with what you are getting, then please consider whether she (and you) would prefer a different dance school.

Absolutely, @taxi4ballet - the OP might think about why she has her DD go to dance classes. Because this is really NOT the way to approach it:

If they can't at least get her to primary modern standard by age 6 when she's been going every week since she was 2 then I'ĺl take the hint that she isn't cut out for it.

So please, @User4891 be respectful and calm in your approach to teachers & the studio. I've seen my lovely teacher driven almost to tears by demanding & disrespectful parents, who know very little/nothing about dance, but make demands of the sort you're contemplating (although thank fully my studio doesn't put children in for exams). My studio owner works really hard trying to run an inclusive welcome place and also make it all pay - she is the expert. So treat your DD's teachers with respect and trust their judgement.

Or find a different studio that meets your needs better.

Forgot to mention (and some people will probably disagree with me) but tap dancing lessons are an utterly pointless waste of money until children are at least 6. Dance schools offer classes for kids younger than that because it generates revenue.

As I said, I broadly agree with you - four is too young. My DD is a professional dancer (ballet) and had her first dance lesson at eight and a half. But there’s no harm in any child doing lessons earlier if the child wants and the parent can afford it. Most children learning dance aren’t aiming to be professionals. The U.K. dance teaching industry is an exam factory, unlike the rest of the world. But that’s the way it is

I agree that it is possible to succeed as a dancer having started later, at around age eight or even teenagers. I can think of some famous examples, though those were not the norm or they we're doing something related like gymnastics.

In reality it's very competitive, especially for girls, if the children want to be professional and many will have been dancing and competing from a very early age. One of my DC started ballet at two years, an RB associate at eight (applied age 7).

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Are the majority of the other children taking the exam really only 4? That would be really unusual for primary grade. I didn’t think they could even be entered before age 5. School years aren’t a great indicator at the age, children born later in the school year will be closer in age and development to many in the year below

Eight isn’t late, though. It’s about the correct age to start, perhaps seven. Anything much earlier should be “music and movement” - also fine. Anything much later would be pushing it, though, for girls. Boys have more leeway. Mine hadn’t done any dance or gymnastics before starting. But it’s fine to start earlier- as long as you have no expectations that you are doing anything much more than a fun activity for small children, and it should always be seen as such. The problem the OP has is the exam system that the dance school goes by. As parents want or expect exams, schools have to deliver -hence the introduction of rosettes, and prep, and pre-primary etc to catch them younger and younger.

Dd2 is 6 and is just taking primary tap. Dd1 is 8 and took grade 1 last year.
dd2 hasn’t taken primary ballet and there is no date for that yet.
Everything is held up due to Covid they are way behind in their exams

I do think you need to chill out a bit. My daughter is just going to be taking her primary ballet exam and her class is 6/7. There are a lot of prep and practice classes and there is a lot required of the children in my view. There is no way she could have done it at 4 or just 5.

what is her concentration and pick up skills like? I have had four/five year olds that can remember a three minute festival solo routine and others that stand there staring off into the distance and scratching their backside when the music comes on in class. All children are different and learn at different rates.

I'd just ask the teacher. Find out if she's ready/ nearly ready for the exam or whether there is a possibility of moving up without doing the exam (if that's something you would be okay with). I agree it could feel like a knock to be left behind. At DD's dance school I sometimes suspect who they enter for exams or not is down to class sizes and trying to keep the numbers fairly even. Some schools only want to enter children who will get a distinction which means some can be held back when maybe it would be better for them personally to get a pass or a merit and keep progressing.

Hi OP
Your DD is so very young!!

Make sure she enjoys the class. So long she does you have a long (& expensive !!.)road ahead of you yet!!!

Young children l progress at different times at this age.

My DD was getting 100% in exams at this age, then had her class mates selected for shows and win competitions and she was left behind. As she got to her mid teens, she started to win again.
My DD is 18 now and about to start auditions for dance/MT programs.

it is a marathon not a sprint.
so long your DD keeps loving dance she will do just fine 😊

And don’t forget: Hard work beats Talent when talent doesn’t work hard’
Ask teacher if your DD should be doing any specific training/conditioning or practice at home.

But as dance Mom of older teenager,, your DD is so very young and has soooo many years ahead of her for dancing. I recommend to relax and enjoy it.