Signing your child up for dance classes is an exciting and fun way for them to express their creativity and burn some excess energy. While the goal of these classes is to help beginner students, getting ready for the first day ensures your child has the best time possible. Below are several strategies for what you should and shouldn't do to prepare.

Do:

Be on time.

One of the most important parts of any extracurricular activity is showing up on time. Most instructors want to start as soon as the scheduled time arrives, as this allows them to lead the children through some guided stretches and talk about the activities for the day. While you can't always avoid being late, consistently showing up after the scheduled time can be distracting for other students. Plus, this may prevent your child from getting enough preparation before the class starts to practice new moves or learn a routine. If you do arrive late, help your child enter as quietly as possible to join the class.

Label everything.

Write your child’s name on all of their belongings to make sure you can keep track of them. Make sure you label their shoes, clothes, water bottle, and bag, as they may have to put everything in a communal area when they arrive for class. This ensures other children don't accidentally pick up your child's belongings, helping you save time at the end of class. Plus, if you forget to grab something before leaving, the instructors can easily identify who they should return the item to.

Don’t:

Wear extra accessories.

Before leaving for dance classes, have your child take off any extra jewelry items and accessories that aren’t necessary. For example, they can keep their hair tied with a bow or band, but make them take off any extra necklaces or bracelets. This is necessary because the items can be distracting while your child dances. This also helps them avoid damaging the pieces if they accidentally fall.

Chew gum.

If your child chews gum, make sure they don’t take it into class with them. They could swallow it or it may end up on the ground by accident, where it could stick to someone's shoe. Generally, keep food out of the dance studio during the class. Instead, give your child a snack before they attend and plan to have dinner after, as this ensures they have enough energy.

If your child wants to sign up for dance classes, contact The Little Gym Of St. Charles in St. Peters, MO. This child entertainment center offers a wide variety of dance and gymnastic classes, as well as summer and winter camps and enrichment programs. Their highly-trained instructors are ready to teach your child strength, balance, and coordination. Call (636) 970-1220 to ask about enrollment, and visit them online to learn more about their services.