What an exciting day! Whether your dancer is new or has been here before for class or even as a sibling a whole new adventure awaits them this year! Just a few things to keep in mind as we start this journey to help it go smoothly for all of us:
- Parking is metered on Broad Street as well as the large municipal lot that you can enter behind Town Pub. Parking a little further up Pitt and Baldwin Streets are free, just a little walk. Note that when there are events at Foley Field their parking can overflow into where our dancers park.
- Getting there a little early to get friends ballet shoes on and them situated is never a bad thing. The less stress for both of you the better. Tap shoes will need to be worn first. Ballet shoes will be put in your studio bag. Please note that the studio will open 5 minutes before class starts.
- Please use the bathroom beforehand especially if potty training. Of course, they can go during class, but with such a short time in class we hate for them to miss a minute of the adventure. Know that we will not change diapers. Please make sure your number is on file and we will call if there is a situation that cannot wait.
- Tears are a normal way for the young to express any emotion – happy, sad, overwhelmed, tired etc. Do not get upset if there is some crying. A parent myself, it can be hard to see it, but little dancers are trying to process so much, new people, new friends, new environment, new activities. It can be all part of the process. I will work with you to get to a level we are all comfortable with.
- Please don’t compare your child to the others. Some separate and acclimate faster and others slower. They all have their own journey. It can be hard, but trust in the process and know we will all get there.
- Remember they react to how the adults around them are feeling. The less stress we project the less they will feel. A lot can happen the first class, but it does even out. Patience, love and acceptance of their journey go a long way to getting there. I will always ask the first time if it is ok to let them cry (with someone soothing them of course), and we will work together to make them comfortable.
Enjoy this – it is a great day for everyone! We are excited to go on this adventure with your little dancer and can not wait to see what this year brings. I truly adore this age as they make so much progress in such a short time and are just a blast to work with. Any questions let me know.
Thanks,
Miss Katie