If your child attends dance lessons, recitals offer an exciting opportunity for them to showcase their new skills. While you're probably eager to see them on stage, some little ones may experience performance anxiety or stage fright, which creates unwanted stress and may impact their ability to perform. Help your child overcome their fears by following these tips as you prepare for their recital.

3 Tips to Help Your Child Overcome Performance Anxiety

1. Rehearse Often

In addition to their time at dance lessons, encourage your child to rehearse their routine at home. Repetition and ample practice time will enhance their confidence in the steps and help settle their nerves. Many children experience stage fright because they are afraid of being embarrassed or making a mistake, so rehearsing at home ensures they know the routine inside and out. Make rehearsing for 10-15 minutes a part of your day-to-day routine.

2. Accept Their Nerves & Express Empathy 

Soothe your child by letting them know that stage fright is normal, but avoid judgemental or minimizing statements. If you tell your child not to worry about it, this could make them think they are wrong to feel the way they do. 

Teach your child to understand and accept their nervousness by using a statement of empathy followed by an offer to help. For example, acknowledge a time when you felt nervous in front of an audience, then practice deep breathing techniques with your child to help them relax.

3. Use Affirmations

Practicing positive self-talk can be beneficial for a child's self-esteem and confidence. Combat unhealthy or negative thinking patterns by encouraging your child to repeat affirming statements about themselves. Affirmations direct the conscious and subconscious mind to evoke positive emotions, thoughts, and behavior. When your child becomes stressed, remind them to use positive self-talk to boost their confidence and help them take the stage.

If you're interested in enrolling your child in dance lessons to help boost self-confidence and develop new skills, turn to Elite Dance Studio in Lindenhurst, NY. This dance school for kids offers exceptional instruction in a variety of genres, including ballet, hip-hop, jazz, and tap. In addition to improving their poise, balance, and flexibility, your child will learn self-discipline, structure, and leadership skills that extend beyond the dance studio. Call (631) 450-4740 or visit them online to learn more about their classes.