DD had her first Ballet/tap class

Moms View Message Board: Parenting Discussion: Archive January-June 2003: DD had her first Ballet/tap class

She was so darn cute!

We were running a tad late, so I had to dress her in the dance room. This was the first time she has ever seen a dance class. As I was trying to get her tights and shoes on, she kept trying to hold the rail and do the initial ballet moves. I could barely get her dressed before she was off w/ the other little girls!

She smiled and laughed and jumped. She moved, she watched and turn. Of course none of these motions were at the appropriate times ROFLOL. But she was trying with all her little heart.

These little girls are so cute. I wish I had had a video of her first time. It was priceless.

I am also excited because it only cost $25/month plus the rec center annual fee. The instructor is very casual about letting the girls be themselves and not get frustrated w/ trying to be perfect. I'm also excited that we wont be putting out a fortune for the recital costumes and we ARE allowed to video the recital ourselves...not purchase one which shows all the kids, not just MINE LOL.

And, she will let me bring a video to class next week to tape the lesson so we can practice at home. I've never taken dance so this will be lots of fun for both of us.

On the sad side, from first looks, DD has mommy's inability to conect what her hands are doing to what her feet are doing. I sure hope this changes.

By Jann on Thursday, January 16, 2003 - 08:33 pm:

I danced for 22 years, and loved it. Yours sounds like a wonderful program!

By Trina on Thursday, January 16, 2003 - 09:43 pm:

YEAH! Sounds like she's really going to enjoy it! I haven't looked into dance yet for my DD. She likes gymnastics so we'll stick with that for now.

By Mechelle on Thursday, January 16, 2003 - 10:26 pm:

Sounds like fun!!



I need to get my daughter into tap.
She has bad cordination (sp?) and she is flat footed, so there isn't much she can do. She has low muscle tone in her legs, I need to find something for her to do.
She goes to PT at school. For her large motor skills ( think thats what they are called)
They told me tap dancing would be the best for my DD.

By Susan on Thursday, January 16, 2003 - 10:42 pm:

Mechelle

Just wanted to add that you might also look into
ballet as well or in place of tap. Kaitlyn has been in dance for almost 7 years - 2 in beginner dance, and 5 in tap & ballet. All of the adjudicators at any of the competitions stress the importance of ballet for strengthing the legs and coordination. Kiara is in her third year of dance and Amy starts in the fall. We can start them at 3 here and I pay $20/week.

By Feona on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 08:14 am:

That is a great deal!

By Jackie on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 08:14 am:

I know what you mean. My daughter finished her first ballet class before the holidays. She is 3 yrs old and the class was for 3 and 4 yr olds. It was also through the rec center. The girls are really cute, not all that coordinated in their moves, but so cute to watch. She will do another one starting in March. They really dont do fancy ballet moves, her class was more to learn to follow directions and such. They did the chicken dance in their too, and my daughter just loved that.

By Karen55 on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 04:41 pm:

Dana, give her time to adjust to it. She may surprise you. Jen danced for 10 years, tap, ballet, jazz, pointe and a competition class. I danced in a mom's class, tap and jazz. It doesn't come *naturally* for either Jen or me, and we used to videotape the routines, once they were completed, and practice at home. I loved it. Jen got really burnt out on it; it got to be too much, classes 4 days a week, competitions several times a year, dance revue. The lessons are the cheapest part. It's all the dance shoes and costumes that were so expensive. Then when she started competing, the competition fees. It stopped being fun for her. She now says she wishes she would have kept up her ballet and pointe classes. Get involved with it, you will love it!

By Dana on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 06:26 pm:

Well, I can tell you, I will be learning right along w/ DD! A class for 4 yr olds is just my speed. I will learn her routines with her while we practice at home.

I can't wait for next week either! DD is so excited.

By Karen55 on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 06:56 pm:

You know, if you really like it and think it's something you and some of the other moms would want to do, you could suggest to the teacher, organizing a mommy class. If nothing else, it's great exercise. My class happened to be right after Jen's tap/jazz class, and almost all the moms had a child or 2 with them that night. It was a lot of fun and I looked forward to it every week. You don't have to go as far as dance revue or exhibitions or competitions, it would be a chance to socialize and exercise all at once, and not have to worry about finding a babysitter.

By Dana on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 08:56 pm:

Karen, they already have a class right after DD. It is the next age group of girls. Sounds like fun, tho.

By Melanie on Friday, January 17, 2003 - 09:28 pm:

How cute!! I danced for 15 years and was an assistant teacher for a couple of years. I loved watching the little ones!!! Another year or so and Peyton will be in her first little tutu.