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Would you switch dd's dance school?

Love My Lil Princess 509Love My Lil Princess 509 member
edited August 2013 in Stay at Home Moms
I put dd in a 6 week baby movement class. I made a post about the first class how she was petrified and I had to stay with her the whole time. Well, it took a month, but now she gets excited to go, smiles the whole class and will participate here and there with the teachers help, though she does stuff on her own too. The teacher leaves the door open so the kids can see us and there's a viewing mirror. Dd still peaks out from time to time to make sure I am there and says my name. Thing is, I feel like the teacher doesn't really do much. I get they are 2-3 years old, and this is for fun and socialization, not learning technical dance routines. That's why I put dd in it. Parents and kids are allowed to run in and out of the room throughout the class. The teacher allows you to try a class for free, so since week 3 there have been girls trying the class out. One came 2 weeks in a row, both weeks throwing crying, kicking, screaming fits bc she had to wait her turn. The teacher picked her up, rocked her back and forth and spent 45 min. entirely with this girl while the rest of the class stood there doing nothing, dd looked frightened and her teenage helper tried to run the class with her trying to teach with a kid in her arms. The teacher at one point started screaming through the door that the kid was a natural bc she twirled around the first few minutes of class. Guess she really wanted the mother to sign her kid up. Siblings are also allowed to randomly run through the class while it's going on. There is just so much going on in the room and dd bc of her age and personality, becomes distracted and overwhelmed with all that is going on.

I became friendly
with another mom who is sending her dd to another studio I called a few months back. I spoke with the owner who told me she shuts the door and if the kids cry, they are taken outside so you can calm them down, that way she can run the class. The only concern I have is that dd will freak out when the door is shut, though I don't know. If she went to the new school, she would be in the same class with the mom I talk to dd. I def. want to put her back in for September, and I'm thinking I should try the new place. Or I could keep her here since dd has taken a liking to the teacher and helper. I'm just wondering how dd would do. So, would you switch her out to the new studio?
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Re: Would you switch dd's dance school?

  • Love My Lil Princess 509Love My Lil Princess 509 member
    edited August 2013
    No one is expecting precision lol. Not sure where I said that. But I can't imagine letting my kid disrupt a whole class or running into a class snapping pictures causing other kids to get scared. To me, that's rude. If I saw dd CLEARLY, wasn't having fun, meaning having a full out meltdown every week, we wouldn't be returning to the class. Why would I do that to her or the other kids who actually enjoy the class?
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  • Love My Lil Princess 509Love My Lil Princess 509 member
    That's nice that you have nothing better to do but make up nick names for a toddler behind their back...But wait, they are only 3 so they wouldn't understand anyway..lol
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  • littlemermaidlittlemermaid member

    Our dance studio starts at age 3 and it's not a free for all they do learn a routine for the recital that they perform in June.  Their routine is cute and far from perfect because of course they are 3 but they are learning basic ballet or tap techniques, whichever class you may be enrolled in.  The teacher does close the door but if the child gets upset or wants to see her mom they are allowed to come out to their mom.  Plus there is a huge viewing window that you can look in and the kids can see you from. 

    The problem I see with your class is it's a 2 - 3 year old class.  With 2 year olds in it you really can't expect too much so yes I would expect it to be a free for all.  If you are looking for your daughter to get more out of it I would switch to a studio that starts their dance classes at age 3.

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  • notkateanymorenotkateanymore member
    Love My Lil Princess 509 said:
    That's nice that you have nothing better to do but make up nick names for a toddler behind their back...But wait, they are only 3 so they wouldn't understand anyway..lol
    Was that a dig? Sarcasm? Huh.
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  • wesleycrusherwesleycrusher member
    The studio I dance at only has a Mommy and Me class for age 2.  At 3 is when they start being left alone.  And parents aren't allowed in, like is the rule at the second studio.  With all the craziness I've seen in the waiting area, I can't imagine that going on while the instructor was trying to teach class. I would switch. I wouldn't want to pay for something I'm not happy about. Can you set up a play date with the other mother? That way your DD will know someone in class? That may help. 
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  • Love My Lil Princess 509Love My Lil Princess 509 member
    edited August 2013
    cerratocc said:

    The studio I dance at only has a Mommy and Me class for age 2.  At 3 is when they start being left alone.  And parents aren't allowed in, like is the rule at the second studio.  With all the craziness I've seen in the waiting area, I can't imagine that going on while the instructor was trying to teach class. I would switch. I wouldn't want to pay for something I'm not happy about. Can you set up a play date with the other mother? That way your DD will know someone in class? That may help. 

    I was thinking of asking her since the last class is soon, but I feel super awkard lol. I always wait for the other person to ask first..
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  • DochasDochas member
    It kind of sounds like your daughter would be the distraction in the more strict place though.  I would probably go back to where she has become more comfortable and then find a place with more instruction when she's just a bit older. 
    TTC since September '08 After 2 m/c - lap for stage 3-4 endo Oct '09 Bravelle w/Ovidrel trigger - iui on 11/07 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
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  • lexusolsenlexusolsen member
    What about a mommy and me class so that your dd feels more comfortable but would still learn to wait her turn, etc. We did a mommy and me tumbling class and dd has had a ton of fun.
    Lilypie Angel and Memorial tickers
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  • AndrewsgalAndrewsgal member
    Any sport or class to me has more to do with learning skills and having fun rather than socialization. I put my kids in preschool for that. Kids actually get very little socialization chasing a ball down a field while mowing each other down. Sports for young children is like herding cats.
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  • lollitotslollitots member

    I get putting your kid in dance for fun and socialization. I wouldn't expect too much formal dancing going on. However, I would expect the teacher to have control of the class, which this teacher doesn't sound like she has. All my kids took dance at 3. At age 2, I wouldn't expect much control. It is like herding cats. At 3, they can follow some instructions and while not perfect, do little dances. I would move her. This place doesn't sound like it is working with her personality. If the new place doesn't work out, you can always move her back.

    Proud Mommy to Kaylie 12-04, Alaina 5-06 & Annalise 6-08 imageimage
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