4 year old - tap dance exam worries

[KeepingItReal2017]

Hi all

my daughter has been going to tap classes for a few months only & I was surprised to hear she’s been put forward for an exam along with her small class of 12.

it’s the IDTA Rosette awards - a small 5 min routine. We went to watch a practise session, she followed the moves along with missing some steps & being shy / chewing her fingers etc… I’d hate for her to fail as at 4 that’s not a nice experience… so I’m really asking experienced parents - has your kid done this exam or similar and how did they do? I heard that the dancers always pass… but we’re first timers. I thought this was going to be a fun, care free class & it’s very quickly become all about exams and hair buns….

Im sure she’ll pass… and the pride she feel would be wonderful, bur keen to hear other experiences.

plus has anyone quit ballet due to this formal nature? I might have to find a more relaxed class.. I dunno.

be kind,

worried mum

Adding a note

to be clear she kinda enjoys it, goes in happily enough etc. she hasn’t raised any concerns about the exam herself as she obvs doesn’t understand what it means.

she does say she gets tired & is maybe nonplussed about the whole dance experience in general…

The exams aren't compulsory so you can always wait until you feel she's cope better.
However I've never known a 4yr old to fail a tap dance exam (and I have 2 dancers, the oldest has just given up due to moving away to uni)

Even the ballet (which is always more serious and formal in general) should just be fun at this point. Just learning to point toes and skipping around with fairy wands etc.

IDTA rosettes are all about introducing the children to the exam system and the exam room set up, so that by the time they are ready for their first proper exam (preparatory grade) they are familiar with it. It also gives them a sense of achievement to receive their award.

There is no pass or fail as such- it’s Awarded or Not Awarded. As long as your child is dancing and making an attempt at the exercises and following the teacher, then their rosette will be awarded. Not Awarded is only for a child who doesn’t take part at all or who refuses to join in. Please don’t worry, and I hope that your little girl enjoys her first IDTA dance test.

It may also be a school that is too formal for you and your DD . I was eye rolling at similar age at being expected to buy different coloured shoes and leotard for show and exam (ballet) moved to much more laid back class that was more fun, (probably less prestigious) I didn't want it to be all about shows and competitions more about dancing

I did ballet as a child/tween. I told my mom that I wanted to quit as I was worried that another girl in the class might get a higher mark than me. I can't recall how the grading system worked, we're going back 20 years. I do remember the dance school exerted a certain level of pressure to have the 'right' shoes, leotards etc.

So for me personally as a child, I definitely felt a sense of expectation that weighed heavily! But times have likely moved on and my perspective may be redundant.

As an aside, I can still clearly recall the musty smell of the costume room! Also, one day when the class were asked to compete in a 'bridge' contest. I held my bridge shape for 30 minutes and claimed my victory. I don't have kids, but I presume that sort of thing isn't common practice anymore!

Thank you all for taking the time to comment, I’ve enjoyed reading the responses. She had the exam, all smiles, am presuming based on the feedback here and at dance school that she will receive a lovely award and a huge sense of pride very soon. When she has award in hand, we can then discuss is she wishsss to continue or move to a more relaxed dance school. THANKS SO MUCH. Xxx

I thought my daughter was in a nice relaxed dance class, but it got about the perfect buns and the exam very quickly- and she was only 5 so I wanted her just to have fun so she just did it for one year.

I would consider moving her now as there will be more exams and it will get more pressured.