Enrolling your child in ballet or other dance classes such as tap and jazz provides a variety of benefits. Along with encouraging new friendships, learning these disciplines will improve their confidence, concentration, and physical health. As a parent, you can help your little one reach their full potential by following these tips.

How to Help Your Young Dancer Flourish

1. Arrive On Time

It can be challenging to always be on time, especially if you have a busy schedule. However, being prompt for their lessons, with your young dancer ready to participate, reduces stress for both of you and will ensure your child is in a good frame of mind to enjoy class. Surprisingly, most children feel very uncomfortable when they are late for class. They won’t need to disturb the instructor and other students and will be able to learn with the class instead of catching up on what they missed.

2. Buy Proper Dance Clothes

Always send your child to class in the correct dance garments. The proper attire will help your dancer move freely and allow their instructor to observe and correct their body lines. Girls should wear leotards and tights or socks (depending on age) while boys should don black jazz pants, white socks and white crew-neck T-shirts. All students need to wear correctly fitted dance shoes and for girls, putting their hair in a proper dance bun allows them to learn certain turning skills without the annoyance of hair flying around.

3. Serve Nutritious Food

The strongest dancers nourish their bodies with vitamins and minerals. Help your child develop good eating habits by serving plenty of fruits, vegetables, and healthy proteins, such as eggs and beans. These foods will support muscle and bone development and prepare your child for the physical demands of dance as they age. Also, be sure to include a water bottle with your child’s regular dance gear.

4. Encourage Healthy Sleeping Habits

To make the most of a dance class, a student should be well-rested, alert, and attentive. Make sure your little one gets a healthy amount of sleep each night. Decide on an age-appropriate bedtime, and help your child stick to it by creating a predictable nighttime routine, limiting access to electronic screens at night, and providing a calm, dark sleeping environment.

If your child wants to take ballet, tap or jazz classes, enroll them at The St. Laurent School of Dance in Honolulu, HI. This elite studio offers classes for all ages and abilities, and the instructors are dedicated to helping their students master these disciplines. In honor of the school’s 30^th Anniversary, special offers are available. To schedule a trial class or find out more information, please email dancehi@hawaii.rr.com or call (808) 845-1291.