Katy and Alyson McKinnon of Los Angeles are so close in age that they take part in many of the same activities. But not when it comes to dance class: Seven-year-old Katy enrolled in pre-ballet; Alyson, 5, joined a more freewheeling creative movement class. "Aly wasn't quite ready to be serious about dance," says Lynn McKinnon, the girls' mother. "Movement classes were an ideal choice for her."
Whether your child is a Martha Graham in the making or, truth be told, a little klutzy, the right dance class will offer her a nice blend of self-discipline and exhilarating fun. "Most preschoolers won't grow up to be professional dancers, but a good class can teach them everything from rhythm to teamwork to respect for others," says Vickie Sheer, executive director of Dance Educators of America in Pelham, N.Y., which licenses dance teachers.Class acts
Although some pre-ballet and pre-tap classes accept kids under 6, most preschoolers fare best with a less structured dance curriculum. Such programs take into consideration the short attention span of young children and are usually billed as "movement" or "creative movement" classes. Lessons include plenty of game playing, storytelling and dress-up (with props like wands, ribbons and drums). The "dancing" generally involves playful moves that teach body awareness - such as walking heel-to-toe, skipping and jumping. "A lot of 3- and 4-year-olds can't skip yet," says Gertrude Hallenbeck, owner of the Hal-len-beck School of Dance in Albany, N.Y. "In class, though, they develop coordination quickly because of the desire to do as well as the other kids."
The screening process
What's most important in choosing a dance class is the quality of the teacher. "Ask about her background," says Sheer. "Find out how long she's been working with young children." Also, make sure the instructor attended a university dance program or earned credentials from a professional organization such as Dance Masters of America.
Next step: Observe a class in session, and take your child along, if possible. (Some programs even allow prospective students to join in on a lesson.) The teacher should have lots of energy and a friendly style. She should also be in control of the class, without coming across as a strict taskmaster. "Good teachers aren't disciplinarians, they're role models," Hallenbeck points out.
If your child accompanies you during the screening process, ask her what she thinks of the class; she may show a strong preference for a particular program or teach-er. Also consider how your child feels about recitals and performances. If she's shy, she may favor a program that doesn't push kids to perform in front of an audience. Finally, take note of the class size and duration. Dance and movement classes for preschoolers should last 45 minutes to 1 hour, with no more than 12 participants.
Once your pint-size Fred Astaire or Ginger Rogers has tried a few classes, you'll probably have a feel for whether you've made the right choice. "If she's excited about the program, that's a good sign," says Roni Blak, co-owner of Molly & Roni's Dance Factory in West Los Angeles. "What's most important is that kids have fun. Then, somewhere along the line, they learn to love dance."