My child used to love their dance classes and started when they were only 3, they used to go into class so confidently and happy and didn't even wave goodbye to me. Now since starting reception Im really struggling to get them to go and they say they don't want to leave me.
Does this sound familiar - if so Keep reading!
First of all I would like to start off by saying you are doing a great job so don't worry this is totally normal.
Lots of our dancers start with us prior to starting reception and it is perfectly normal to see a bit of a wobble when they start full time school. It’s also the same as we see when a child starts senior school. I have just been through this with my little girl so I completely empathise with you and understand how you are feeling.
Talk to their teacher and check that they are enjoying classes when they are there. This will help their teacher to work with you and to give them some extra support in class if its needed, they might even send you some photos of them while they are in class, this is great not only for your peace of mind but I also had to do this with my little one with her school, and it helped to show her photos as it reminded her how much she was enjoying it.
Does this sound familiar - if so Keep reading!
First of all I would like to start off by saying you are doing a great job so don't worry this is totally normal.
Lots of our dancers start with us prior to starting reception and it is perfectly normal to see a bit of a wobble when they start full time school. It’s also the same as we see when a child starts senior school. I have just been through this with my little girl so I completely empathise with you and understand how you are feeling.
Talk to their teacher and check that they are enjoying classes when they are there. This will help their teacher to work with you and to give them some extra support in class if its needed, they might even send you some photos of them while they are in class, this is great not only for your peace of mind but I also had to do this with my little one with her school, and it helped to show her photos as it reminded her how much she was enjoying it.
Providing your child’s dance teacher says they are happy at dance class then it is really beneficial to persevere for a few weeks and to maintain the routine and consistency of taking your child to dance class.
If during this time you let them miss class it can make it even more difficult to re-establish the routine of going to their dance class.
A little trick I use is to tell my daughter I'm going to do something really dull which she doesn't like so that she doesn't feel like she is missing something exciting. You have likely just been doing some wonderful things together over the summer holidays and it’s normal for a child to feel like they might be missing something fun with you. I tell my little girl that I'm going shopping, she hates doing that and it gives me chance to shop in peace, lets face it we have all been there and dragging a child around the shop that doesn't want to be there is no fun for anybody!
Keep talking to their teacher, where possible this is better done away from the child. Check that they have been OK and find out which parts of class they really enjoyed. The more you can talk about the enjoyment of dance with your child the better.
If your child’s dance teacher thinks that the child is distressed at classes and would benefit from a break I am sure that they will let you know, but in most instances consistency is key, like when you are trying to establish any sort of new habit or routine. Please be aware this blog is advice for children who have previously loved dance class and have only started saying they don't want to go since starting a new school class or routine, we will cover advice for others in a separate blog.
Within a few weeks your child will most likely be settled into their new “big school” and dance routine and they will be skipping in without so much as a goodbye.
From our experience the first 3-4 weeks when a child starts a new school, or year group can be the time where they have a wobble and if you can continue through that wobble you have taught your children so much about perseverance and commitment and also shown them that something that can feel hard at first soon feels easy or normal. Many of our dance coaches and even one of our teachers had a wobble when they started school and it was through open communication between parent and dance teacher and some perseverance that those dancers have now been with us for in excess of 10+ years and are a hugely valued part of the Leivers Dance team.
Don’t worry though and always talk to the teacher, however ultimately you know your child best and you have to do what you feel is right for them and for you.
