Taking dance lessons can improve your child's muscle strength, coordination, and discipline. There are also strong socialization and teamwork benefits to be gained. When it comes time to show off what they've learned, however, your youngster might experience stage fright before a recital. Luckily, there are steps parents can take. Use the following tactics to help your dancer feel more comfortable performing in front of an audience. 

How to Help Your Child Handle Stage Fright

1. Create a Performance Atmosphere at Home

If your child has only performed a routine in front of their instructor and other students, give them a chance to practice in front of family members at home. They'll feel at ease in the comfortable, familiar setting, and going through the moves in front of parents, siblings, and other relatives will let them know what it's like to have the attention of a group. 

Before each round, have them practice staring at the back of the room. This will help them forget people are watching them, which can help set fears aside. 

2. Turn Nervousness Into Excitement

When your child is filled with anxiety, their heart will race. This will happen when they're overcome with joy and excitement, too. Ask your youngster how they feel before a performance. If they mention their heart starts to pound, tell them it's a symptom of how eager they are to show off what they've learned in dance lessons. 

To help them associate a recital with excitement, tell them that the goal is to have fun and not take the performance too seriously. When they take breaks from practicing, perform silly dances together to maintain a positive outlook. 

3. Teach Mindfulness Techniques

Right before showtime, your child's anxiety might skyrocket, so they need to know how to restore calm quickly. Teach them how to become aware of their senses in the moment. Have them take deep breaths while focusing on items they can see, smell, feel, touch, and hear in the immediate vicinity. This will help them become in tune with their senses and calm down.

If your child likes to dance, Robin Dawn Academy of Performing Arts provides formal instruction for kids and teens ages 2 to 19. The Cape Coral, FL, dance school offers youth ballet, hip hop, contemporary, and tap dancing to help students improve their natural ability. Students can opt to join a class that performs during recitals and competitions or take general dance lessons just for fun and exercise. Call (239) 549-0827 to discuss enrollment opportunities and fill out registration forms online. Find class instructor and schedule details on Facebook.