My daughter just turned 4 and really wanted to take dance lessons. Her older sister is in gymnastics and I think she wanted something of her own like big sis. So I signed her up for a creative movement class today and it starts in about 2 weeks.
The dance center is a religious place, but they accept those of all faiths. (which is good for us) They are also so much easier on the monthly finances! And if we can't pay, they'll still let us go because they give scholarships. Same with costumes for recital.
I was nervous about registration because even though they have hip-hop classes and dance to R&B music.. the fact that I knew they were Christian, had a modest dress code, and mentioned that they did dance to some contemporary Christian music had me worried. I expected to see the stereotypical Christian looking families in the waiting room. (Thats not meant as an insult either, my best friends family is Christian and I grew up in their house. Modest dress, no pants, no make up, long hair, no shorts only culottes, etc.. could also be called the stereotypical Christian homeschooling family as well. ) I was nervous because even though they say they accept people of all faiths, I was afraid I'd feel really out of place. Or afraid that they'd try to convert me, or hand out tracts. And being pretty much as far away from Christian as I can be as a practicing Pagan.. I didn't want to offend them, and I didn't want to be confronted, or worse.. have them deny my daughter the chance to dance because of our faith.
I'm happy to say, nothing like that happened at registration! The place was filled with regular looking people that could have been from any faith. I even dared to put my email address on the line that asked for it, even though its clearly Pagan in nature. I'm feeling really good about this place. But she hasn't had her first lesson yet.. which leads me to where I need reassurance...
This will be my daughters FIRST class of any kind, EVER. We're homeschooling, so she hasn't been to preschool, or anything else. Never been to daycare. She has had social interaction with peers, friends, family, etc.. My daughter is spirited.
: I have never done this with a child like her. My oldest was mellow, and timid. NOT dd! She is loud, boisterous, energetic, and has some trouble with boundaries and listening. We do still have problems with her hitting when she's mad, and when playing with friends sometimes she's involved in scuffles over toys, etc.. She's not always aggressive though, and its never just out of the blue. I believe its totally age appropriate for a newly turned spirited 4 yo.
However.. I'm wondering how she'll do in dance classes. Like I said, its only creative movement.. nothing really formal... But ANY class is formal compared to just being at home. She is so very excited to be going. And I'm excited for her.. but I'm nervous of her.. not being able to control herself I guess.
Any tips? Anyone BTDT? I read her the rules from the paperwork and she said as cute as can be, "I will be good mama. I will not hit peoples. I promise! Theres no being mean in dance classes!" I explained that if she did those kinds of things, that she'd have to go home and wouldn't be able to dance with the other kids. She seems like she understands.. but ... I'm worried.
I want her to do well ya know?
And yes, I can watch the first 2 classes and then after that I can't be there. And they are only 30 minute classes, so not bad at all time wise.
I thought I'd find reassurance on the Internet, so I looked at some dance teachers forums.. and uh.. I found the opposite. I found stories of "The little girl that hit me today!" etc.. and all the teachers basically were like, "I wonder what happens at home.." and "That child needs a spanking!" "Spoiled!" "You can tell the child that gets away with everything at home, they don't listen to you in here."
Now I'm horrified. I know I shouldn't be but.... yikes.
The posts really didn't sound like teachers who knew about the behavior of 3&4 year olds at all! .. or.. maybe my child IS odd?
The dance center is a religious place, but they accept those of all faiths. (which is good for us) They are also so much easier on the monthly finances! And if we can't pay, they'll still let us go because they give scholarships. Same with costumes for recital.
I was nervous about registration because even though they have hip-hop classes and dance to R&B music.. the fact that I knew they were Christian, had a modest dress code, and mentioned that they did dance to some contemporary Christian music had me worried. I expected to see the stereotypical Christian looking families in the waiting room. (Thats not meant as an insult either, my best friends family is Christian and I grew up in their house. Modest dress, no pants, no make up, long hair, no shorts only culottes, etc.. could also be called the stereotypical Christian homeschooling family as well. ) I was nervous because even though they say they accept people of all faiths, I was afraid I'd feel really out of place. Or afraid that they'd try to convert me, or hand out tracts. And being pretty much as far away from Christian as I can be as a practicing Pagan.. I didn't want to offend them, and I didn't want to be confronted, or worse.. have them deny my daughter the chance to dance because of our faith.
I'm happy to say, nothing like that happened at registration! The place was filled with regular looking people that could have been from any faith. I even dared to put my email address on the line that asked for it, even though its clearly Pagan in nature. I'm feeling really good about this place. But she hasn't had her first lesson yet.. which leads me to where I need reassurance...
This will be my daughters FIRST class of any kind, EVER. We're homeschooling, so she hasn't been to preschool, or anything else. Never been to daycare. She has had social interaction with peers, friends, family, etc.. My daughter is spirited.
: I have never done this with a child like her. My oldest was mellow, and timid. NOT dd! She is loud, boisterous, energetic, and has some trouble with boundaries and listening. We do still have problems with her hitting when she's mad, and when playing with friends sometimes she's involved in scuffles over toys, etc.. She's not always aggressive though, and its never just out of the blue. I believe its totally age appropriate for a newly turned spirited 4 yo.However.. I'm wondering how she'll do in dance classes. Like I said, its only creative movement.. nothing really formal... But ANY class is formal compared to just being at home. She is so very excited to be going. And I'm excited for her.. but I'm nervous of her.. not being able to control herself I guess.
Any tips? Anyone BTDT? I read her the rules from the paperwork and she said as cute as can be, "I will be good mama. I will not hit peoples. I promise! Theres no being mean in dance classes!" I explained that if she did those kinds of things, that she'd have to go home and wouldn't be able to dance with the other kids. She seems like she understands.. but ... I'm worried.
I want her to do well ya know?And yes, I can watch the first 2 classes and then after that I can't be there. And they are only 30 minute classes, so not bad at all time wise.
I thought I'd find reassurance on the Internet, so I looked at some dance teachers forums.. and uh.. I found the opposite. I found stories of "The little girl that hit me today!" etc.. and all the teachers basically were like, "I wonder what happens at home.." and "That child needs a spanking!" "Spoiled!" "You can tell the child that gets away with everything at home, they don't listen to you in here."
Now I'm horrified. I know I shouldn't be but.... yikes.
The posts really didn't sound like teachers who knew about the behavior of 3&4 year olds at all! .. or.. maybe my child IS odd?
I have a lot of anxiety in social situations, so I think thats mixing into the normal mama worries too.
:
Good luck to her and to you.
