10 Simple Ways To Encourage Kids In A Dance Class

During childhood, the overall growth of a kid depends not only on nutritious food but also on encouragement and appreciation. The motivation received in a dance class develops an interest in learning any subject. Dance is an enjoyable workout and a creative activity. Therefore, directing the energy of kids into an activity that they enjoy help kids become confident in dance class as well as in life.

A dance class is a space where kids learn about socialising, understanding musicality, hand-and-leg coordination, teamwork, discipline, etc. Dance is an expressive medium that allows kids to open up. But not every kid can express themselves in words, either to the teacher or even to their parents. It takes a lot of patience to understand a kid who is feeling demotivated or uncomfortable in some way. 

The dance teachers also play the role of counsellor to the kids, along with their parents. Dancers are keen observers and very good listeners. For a dance teacher, it is easy to notice a student who seems aloof from everybody else or a student who is working hard. The difficult part is winning the trust of a student to talk about anything that is bothering them. Encouragement works like medicine that not only heals but also gives kids the courage to try harder.

Dance teachers work on two levels: building body confidence as well as helping kids express their emotions. It helps with the overall growth of a young student. 

Here are 10 simple ways to encourage kids in a dance class.

Open communication

Building trust and encouraging others go together. There are some kids who are super excited and talkative in class. But there are other shy students who are unable to express what’s going on in their minds. One-to-one communication with each kid should take place before and after the class. It is a simple way to show that the teacher is concerned about each student’s well-being. Being a good listener is an important quality for a dancer. Kids could be distracted for many reasons, like being shy, losing interest in dance, discomfort, being unable to express themselves clearly, etc. Any serious problem has to be addressed to assure the kid that he or she can share their problems and therefore dance happily. 

Addressing kids by their names

Addressing each kid by their name while taking attendance or especially during the class catches their attention. It is a simple way to acknowledge a student’s presence in class. The kid understands that the teacher is paying equal attention to him or her. Small habits such as remembering all students’ names, saying thank you and sorry when necessary, and asking the teacher if they can drink water or not, are all good manners that children learn from their teachers and parents. 

Swapping ques

Whether in a classroom or an office, everyone, even the most shy, wants to be heard and seen. It simply means acknowledgment of hard work, appreciation, and encouragement. In a dance class, this can be done by giving each student the opportunity to stand in front at least once in the class. This is a small gesture and probably overwhelming for some students. It is the first step in helping kids develop leadership skills. For students who always like to stand right in front of the teacher, this swapping of positions is a learning lesson to give everyone a chance and encourage teamwork. 

Talking to kid’s parents

Often, parents are so busy that the only time you meet them is when they come to drop off or pick up their child. There are also parents who try to talk to the teacher after every class. It is important to schedule a meeting with the parents of each child at least once a month. Progress happens gradually, and every child and their parents should be given a chance to come forward and talk to the teacher about their kids’ growth. This is a good way to work with the parents as a team for the kids’ overall development.

Motivational words

Encouraging kids with positive words is important in the dance class. Dance teachers should use positive words while teaching a difficult dance step or guiding students to stand in the correct position. Teachers should never fail to motivate kids. Progress over perfection should be the motto of every dance class. It helps kids realise that every student has the potential to become better. It also allows students to grow at their own pace rather than feeling compelled to do so due to competition. 

Keeping track of every kid’s progress

Tracking the monthly progress of every kid helps teachers in their assessment of kids as well as their teaching methods. Dance teachers should always be open to making little changes in their methods of teaching to make them more effective. The progress should happen not just in learning a choreography but also in points like punctuality, discipline, listening skills, corrections applied or not, technique, hygiene, flexibility, leadership skills, musicality, curiosity to learn, asking questions or not, etc.

Positive feedback

The one thing that really counts for any child is attention. Even shy kids want to feel heard. And as a dance teacher, your partnership is not just with the parents but also with the kids. A good dance teacher should give positive feedback, especially when the kid has not performed well. But it has to be an honest feedback. A student can only perform well in class when they know that they will come back stronger in the next class. A dance teacher should help students realise that every day is a day of progress, even if it does not feel like it at the moment.

Including creative and fun activities

Dance classes are fun for kids because they are encouraged to move and enjoy the music. Kids have a shorter attention span, and therefore, a dance class should be a combination of creativity and fun as well. Making a dance game, using small props, or using a theme related to a recent festival are some of the ways that will keep the kids engaged and interested in a dance class.

Encouraging teamwork

Including a variety of dance themes is also a good way to encourage teamwork in young dancers. For example, a dance teacher can help kids work together to create a dance formation. Or, introducing a small section of partner work in a choreography is a wonderful way for kids to make new friends. Kids learn to help each other in a group activity. 

Sharing stories of dance legends

Nowadays, kids are exposed to many dancing stars online. Dance teachers should introduce kids to dance legends of the present as well as the past. Dance and dancers’ histories are also important pieces of knowledge for students and their parents. Young students should be encouraged to pick an inspiring dance mentor and help them understand the importance of hard work and persistence in dance or in anything they want to do in life.

Final Thoughts

Kids have a natural curiosity to learn and explore. They also have a lot of energy, and their bodies are ready to adapt to whatever they are taught as children. Confident people are not necessarily good dancers, but all dancers are confident. It’s because kids who dance feel safe expressing their emotions through movement. The encouraging words or compliments that the kids get in a dance class give them the courage to overcome any difficulty in life.