The Joys and Challenges of Teaching Dance to Preschoolers

The Joys and Challenges of Teaching Dance to Preschoolers

As a preschool dance teacher, no two days are ever the same. I get to spend my working hours with a group of tiny humans who are still filled with wonder and excitement about the world around them. Their joy and enthusiasm for dancing brings me so much happiness each day.

Sharing My Love of Dance

I have loved dancing since I was a little girl myself, so getting to introduce dance to the next generation and share my passion with them is an absolute dream come true. When I see those smiles spread across their faces the moment the music starts, it melts my heart.

Of course, teaching dance to preschoolers has its fair share of challenges too. At this age, children have endless energy and their attention spans are still developing. Keeping a class of busy four-year-olds focused and engaged for 45 minutes straight is no easy feat!

Keeping Up With Their Energy

I make sure to structure my preschool dance classes in a way that allows the kids to get their wiggles out. We alternate between high-energy activities like jumping, shaking, and dancing all around the room and more focused work at the barre. This variety and movement really works well for this age.

I also like to incorporate props into my classes. Colorful scarves, beanbags, and rhythm sticks capture their imagination and make practicing our steps so much more fun. Their favorites are definitely the pom poms though - they beg to use those at every class!

Building Classroom Management Skills

In addition to coming up with creative lessons and activities, a big part of my job is classroom management. I have to find ways to maintain order and focus while also letting the kids be kids. It can be tricky, but I have picked up some useful techniques over the years.

I use lots of positive reinforcement when they are demonstrating good listening. Simple praise like "I love how still and quiet our feet are right now" goes such a long way with this age group. I also give them little responsibilities, like helping pass out scarves or being the line leader. This gives them a sense of pride and achievement.

Patience is Key

While challenging at times, I love nurturing my tiny dancers and helping them gain confidence in themselves and their abilities. Building relationships with both them and their parents is so rewarding. My heart bursts when I see how much progress they can make in just one year of classes!

Of course, no matter how long I've been teaching, having patience is still so important. Some days we nail a combination on the first try. Other days, we spend 30 minutes just trying to get to first position without falling over. Being flexible and full of encouragement allows my classes to flourish.

The Reality of Running a Preschool Dance Business

In addition to the pure joy I feel while teaching, running a preschool dance program also comes with less glamorous work behind the scenes. As a studio owner and teacher, I wear many hats beyond just leading classes.

Creating an Age-Appropriate Curriculum

I spend a great deal of time crafting lesson plans that are engaging, play-based, and appropriate for preschool-aged children. I also create prop boxes, craft visual aids, and shop for things like new scarves or ribbon wands. Coming up with new activities and curriculum keeps my classes feeling fresh and exciting year after year.

Administrative Tasks

While not the most fun part about owning a dance school, I also have to take care of all the administrative tasks - managing enrollment, handling billing and invoices, communicating with parents, etc. It's not glamorous, but getting organized helps everything run more smoothly.

Marketing My Program

As a small business owner, I also have to dedicate time to marketing my preschool dance classes. I network with local preschools and daycares to advertise my program and partner with community centers or events. I also manage my studio's online presence through email campaigns, social media, and blogging. It's all about getting the word out!

The Most Rewarding Job in the World

While being a preschool dance teacher requires hard work, organization, patience, and a whole lot of energy, it brings me so much happiness. Getting to see children light up while dancing, watch them improve week-to-week, and build their confidence is priceless. Their joy and enthusiasm feed my passion. My tiny dancers make every day magical!

FAQs

What is the best way to maintain order during a preschool dance class?

Using lots of positive reinforcement works very well at this age. Simple praise when they are demonstrating good listening goes a long way. Giving them little responsibilities, like helping pass out props, also helps them focus and gives them a sense of pride.

How long should a preschool dance class last?

At this young age, in order to keep their attention and energy up, it's best to keep classes to 30-45 minutes long. You want to leave them wanting more! Alternating high energy activities with focused work allows you to stretch classes to 45 minutes.

What kind of curriculum works best for preschool aged dancers?

Play-based, creative movement curriculum with themes they relate to, like animals or fairy tales, works very well. Incorporating props and sensory tools like scarves or pom poms makes class exciting while also building their skills. The key is keeping them engaged and fostering joy of dance.

How many preschool students should be in one dance class?

For this age, 5-10 students per class is ideal. Any more than 10, it becomes very challenging for one teacher to maintain control and give adequate individual attention. Smaller class sizes help build their confidence while allowing for creativity.