Would Stagecoach be suitable for my daughter ?

[mummyloveslucy]

Hi my daughter is 4 and loves dancing and music and is quite an actress.
She has quite a severe speech disorder, so when she sings, no one would be able to tell what she was singing. (Only if they knew the tune). I don't know if Stagecoach would be good for her and improve her confidence. I know they have singing lessons which might be difficult. She enjoys singing, but they'd have to be understanding.
If Stagecoach isn't suitable then we could try ballet or tap, I'd like her to have a hobby that's fun and will improve her confidence.

Anyone ?

Why don't you phone up the local branch and ask? Or try a local theatre company - they may run classes for children. Stagecoach is quite expensive btw....

My ds (5) does Stagecoach adn absolutely loves it - they do a mix of singing, dancing and acting (hour and a half session)... call them up and take her along

You're near me. The one that ds2 goes to would be fine. Early Stages is very laid back, lots of games as well as some singing etc.

I have read - both in stagecoach national literature and in something by our local group - that one of the best things is the ability of SC to bring out confidence. I've also read/heard stuff about encouraging the ones who might not naturally take centre stage. I was quite taken by the lady who runs our group - she said it's her biggest pleasure to see the less confident/less "natural" ones enjoy themselves, improve, have fun etc. I would definitely ring your group for a chat. tbh I suspect that stagecoah is possibly more geared to what you would like - I feel that some dance teachers do their job specifically to teach dance - whereas for SC I get the impression that it's more of a means to an end. iyswim

Thank you. I'll phone up to see what they say. Can the mums stay with the children, and how much does it cost ?

Mine will only let you stay for 30mins on the first session (they are better when you are not around!) Cost roughly 150 a term here...

That dosn't sound too bad, how many terms are there a year?
I think she would definatly behave better without me but she does need me to interperate for her.

Usually find there are 3 terms a year

That's not too bad as it's a 3 different hobbys in one. Is the dancing ballet or modern dance? She does ballet at nursery and is just starting to enjoy it.

ds2 started at 4 and was very hard to understand. He had some sort of verbal dyspraxia or disorder. I had forgotten but his teacher said to me the other day (he's 7 now & has recently taken part in his first speech festival coming 2nd) that you'd never know now he'd had problems with speech.

As long as she can understand what she is expected to do then she will be fine. You won't be allowed to sit in on lessons but you will be welcome to wait in a room outside so if she gets upset she can be brought to you. When ds2 was doing Early Stages I quite often used to work or read a book for an hour and half (hour and half of peace).

Stagecoach wouldn't be suitable for ds1 because he wouldn't understand what is expected of him.

By 'understand what she is expected to do' I mean in terms of playing games etc. If she gets on fine at nursery/pre-school she'll be fine at stagecoach.

We have a girl with fairly severe speech problems that is the result of a medical condition at our school. I can't really comment further on a public forum but she integrates well into the group, we treat her as we would any other child and I feel she gets a lot out of coming and the other children benefit too.

In a few areas there are Interact schools. Unfortuntely there are not enough funds to run them across the country every week but I can let you know a list of places where Interact will be holding holiday workshops this year. Interact is Stagecoach's charity and provide inclusive performing arts workshops.

Oh that's good. My daughter has verbal dyspraxia too. Anything that will help her speech will be well worth it.
She does go to nursery and understands what's expected, although it is very structured and she loves routine.
I'm really pleased your son has improved so much. It's good to hear success stories, as verbal dyspraxia is a very severe speech disorder, so it's good to know it can be overcome.

I loved stage coach have raved on here before about it. I love the ethos. Expensive but very very good. Gave me so much confidence.

Hi, I'm a Ballet teacher so perhaps can be helpful here!! Stagecoach is a franchise and it entirely depends upon the teacher as to whether it would be suitable. You can't talk generally as they vary so much in quality of teaching and attitudes. Phone up your local teacher and ask them directly. Just a little grudge that I have is that Ballet, Drama and Dance teachers do not have to have any qualifications at all to set up classes so beware and check them out. Best to stick with Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) teachers for Ballet IMO.

Sorry Busy BEE but there are also excellent reputable exam boards and whilst I choose to send my dd to an RAD school teachers who have trained with BBO, ISTD and IDTA have a lot to offer. I employ inspirational teachers who have trained with many different boards.

Also in thie OP's case I don't necessarily think that strict syllabus classes are what she wants.

Sorry islandofsodar I was not saying there are not good other boards. In fact I am ISDT and Cecchetti along with Rad myself. But the RAD do police the qualifications and advertising better and as I said IMO which means in my opinion.

I think strict ballet syllabus classes could be considered for op (however at 4 years old is strict the way to describe it?) I think it would be a wonderful way of expressing herself without the use of speech which would definitely increase her confidence.

would totally recommend Stagecoach - both my children do it and LOVE every minute

the dance element is jazz/modern

I should've mentioned, she also has co-ordination difficulties too. (bless her) So strick ballet might be a bit hard, but she does love dancing to music. It might do her good.

Do the girls wear ballet dresses for stage coach dance? I'd love to see her in a little tu-tu (not sure how to spell it)

No stagecoach uniform is black or yellow t-shirts with black leggings/tracksuit trousers and jazz shoes.

Oh bugger. I'm sure she'd look sweet in that too, but it's not quite the same.

There is a girl who goes to dd's old ballet school (I moved her due to distance and days) who has dyspraxia so don't discount ballet.

They don;t wear tu tus in ballet class usually though. Depending onthe school it is either leotard with voile skirt (RAD) pink leotard with attached skirt (BBO) or leotard with chiffon skirt (ISTD)

I think thebest thing to do would be to contact your local Stagecoach speak with the Principal explainaing about your daughter and her needs. They will probably suggest a 2 week trial to see how she goes on. As I said before I have seen huge benefits with children with fairly pronounced difficulties.

We have had children with downs syndrome, dyspraxia, selective mute, aspergers and even one child in a wheelchair come to our school.