Dance Classes for Two to Three Year Olds

Ready to enroll your toddler in a dance class?  If you have a toddler who loves to move while being creative, silly and social, then consider the world of dance.  Dancing is a fun and interactive way for children to grow and develop in all levels.  Here are a few points to ponder when choosing a dance class.

Source: LINX

 

Pick a dance studio that focuses on the needs of two to three-year-old children

We all know toddlers need to have fun to stay engaged.  While the right dance class should be entertaining, it should also help develop your toddler's motor skills, flexibility, musicality and self-confidence.  Toddler-focused dance classes can incorporate ribbons, scarves, maracas, wands and hula hoops to keep your child engaged while promoting physical and social awareness.  It’s important to explore the different ways our bodies can move and the many shapes they can make.  Tapping into your child’s love for music and sound helps to form the foundation for a healthy love of dance and music for years to come. 

Many three-year-olds are ready for a dance class without mom, so check whether your dance studio has On My Own class options.  However, while On My Own style dance classes foster independence, some parents still want to watch all the fun.  A parent-friendly studio may be set-up to allow for one-way parent viewing.  Also, check whether there are opportunities for student performances.  When a child is ready, a recital or other performance in front of a group can encourage self-confidence and a sense of pride and accomplishment. 

Source: LINX

Parent Participation

Two-year-olds typically are more comfortable learning with a partner with whom they already connect and trust.  Separation from parents can sometimes be difficult for toddlers.  Most importantly, most children at this age have not yet experienced copying movements and following a teacher's directions.  Dance classes for toddlers should be structured to allow parent participation throughout the class while also allowing a child and parent to separate from each other.  Parents or caregivers should be encouraged to provide comfort and guidance at whatever level they are comfortable with, to help make their child's first structured dance experience a success.

What to expect in class

Warm up, circle time activities are a great way to ease dancers into the class. Parents may be encouraged to join in the fun, using engaging props like scarves and shakers.  A large, creative, movement activity can round out the class as children focus on the teacher for instruction.  This may be followed by parent participation as the exercise evolves.

Source; LINX

Know your teacher

Why not schedule a time to talk to the dance instructor at the studio?  Find out if your class is taught by a dance professional who is experienced with two and three-year-olds.  If so, you can have some assurance that your child will receive the proper guidance as he or she attempts only movements for which he or she is both mentally and physically ready. 

Look for a dance studio that will grow with your child

As your child gets a little older, he or she will have an increased ability to focus, which is needed to have fun with a routine.  Children can start to have this ability around age three.  At this point, classes can focus more intensely on ballet, tap, hip hop, jazz, and leaps and turns.  Staying with the same dance studio is a benefit to your dancer because he or she is already comfortable in the learning environment.  Your child can build on existing friendships while making new ones.  Choose a dance studio choice that will help grow your child’s love for dance and creative movement for years to come!

About the Author
Grace Tummino is Marketing Specialist at LINX in Wellesley, a Parent Talk Platinum Level Partner and company that offers classes and camp experiences to help children have fun while they learn.

If you have comments or an experience to share related to this blog, please speak up!

Choosing a Preschool or Kindergarten -- What you Need to Know

Choosing a preschool can be stressful for any parent!  You worry about getting your child into the "right" one.  You worry that preschool will determine how competitive your application is for private school, or how much success your child will have in public school.  You agonize over whether you can choose the best environment for your child's personality.  Is there enough active play for your rambunctious son? Is there a sensitive staff to draw out your shy daughter?  

"walking to class" by surlygirl

With a wide array of schools to choose from, your head is positively spinning!  Nursery schools, after-care facilities, schools with religious affiliations or without, and language schools are all possibilities.  But what does it all mean and which is best for your child?  Researching and comparing so many options is overwhelming.  Is there any help in sight?!?

Parent Talk to the rescue!  PT's Preschool and Kindergarten Fair will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Christ Episcopal Church in Needham.  The cost is free to PT members and $10 to non-members.

For eleven years now, Parent Talk has hosted this informational Fair to help parents navigate the jungle of choosing a preschool.  This year, Parent Talk has added a new focus on kindergartens.   

"Welcome Park District Preschool!" by Franklin Park Library

Do you have a question about admittance schedules, fees, special curriculum (e.g., yoga, math, art, play, music, computers), or anything else for that matter?  Attend the Fair and collect your answers.  No need to spend hours online searching for every area school's philosophy and tuition.  Directors and admittance personnel from forty-five schools will be attending to personally answer your questions, face-to-face! 

Consider the Fair a one-stop-shop for preliminary research into preschools and kindergartens in Needham, Newton, Boston, Dover, Chestnut Hill, Brookline, Dedham, Dover, Wellesley and Natick.  Parents can sign-up for school tours and learn about each school's application process.  As an added bonus, six enrichment programs will attend, such as Wellesley Tree House, a LINX company.  Every parent who attends will receive a goody bag filled with Parent Talk's comprehensive preschool and kindergarten guide book, coupons for enrichment programs, and other cool, free items.

What could be simpler? Just attend the Fair with your questions.  A few possible questions are below to help give you a start. 

"Fun at preschool" by madgerly

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Preschool or Kindergarten

    -- What is the age requirement, and is being toilet trained a prerequisite?

    -- What are the pick-up and drop-off times?

    -- What is the teacher-to-student ratio?  What is the overall size of the class?

    -- How does staff handle discipline issues?
 
   -- What is the school's philosophy and approach to learning? 

    -- Does the school have an open door policy for parents dropping by?  What policy is there for visitors? 

   -- What is the cost?
 

   -- What provisions are there for special needs children?

Other considerations in deciding which schools to apply to include school location, security, reputation, and what special focus, if any, the school takes (e.g., emphasis on reading, play, music, art, etc.).  Also, remember to check your gut feeling in touring the school and interacting with its staff.  All of these contribute to determining how comfortable you will be with leaving your child in your chosen setting. 

About the Author

Darlene W. Cancell is an attorney turned stay-at-home mom, and most recently the blog coordinator for Parent Talk.

Do you have comments related to this post? Please provide them in the Comments section, below.

How Preschoolers and Kindergarteners Learn

"Amalie tests the obstacle course she built" by Lars Plougmann

Finding the right balance between play-time and academic learning is a problem every parent faces with their child.  We instinctively know that kids need to run around but that they also need intellectual stimulation.  Play provides young children with both.

You might picture learning taking place in a classroom led by a teacher who gives students drills and instructions.  But research on early childhood learning has found that it is more helpful to guide a child than to give her direct instruction.  In fact, one study found that over time, children performed worse in preschools focusing on direct instruction and preschools that combined play-centered and teacher-centered approaches, compared to children in play-based preschools.  Rather than telling a child the "right" way to do something, allowing her to explore with guidance fosters greater creativity in thinking and problem-solving.

"Adventures in Preschool Science" by San Jose Library

For parents concerned with academic achievement, it is important to know that play-based learning does not need to exclude academics.  A child should have opportunity for unstructured play, which can help develop gross and fine motor skills along with imagination.  But bringing adult guidance into exploratory play can take the learning to another level.  A child enjoying the outdoors can learn about science through rocks (geology) and animals (biology).  A child playing with toys can learn about math by adding and subtracting a few members from a group of stuffed animals.

"Mountain kids" by Travis Swan

With all that has been said about play-based learning, there is still a place for direct instruction.  In writing, a child needs to know how to form each letter and how to place them in the right order.  Practice drills and direct instructions can be an effective writing lesson.  (But the lesson might be even better learned if it can also be made into a playful game!)

"Lyra teachers her dinosaurs how to write" by Jenny Lee Silver

There are many early education philosophies that focus on different play-based and/or academic-based activities.  Parents can decide which philosophy best matches their goals and their child's individual learning style.

On Wednesday, October 28th, 2015, parents can meet representatives of area preschools and kindergartens at Parent Talk's 11th Annual Preschool & Kindergarten Fair.  The fair will be held at  Christ Episcopal Church in Needham from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Registration is not required for this popular event.  Admission is free for Parent Talk members and $10 for non-members.

About the Author

Darlene W. Cancell is an attorney turned stay-at-home mom, and most recently blog coordinator for Parent Talk.

Do you have thoughts related to this post? Please share them in the Comments section below.  

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Tips for a Successful Parent-Teacher Conference

 Written by Liz Lee

Parent-Teacher conferences provide wonderful opportunities to connect with your child’s teacher, see the classroom, and generally hear how your student has made the transition into his or her new school year.

Most parents look forward to these meetings with a mixture of eagerness and anxiety.  This is a great time to talk about what’s working and not working at school.  For many parents, however, this yearly event includes the niggling idea that the teacher might have feedback that will surprise or startle you.  For what it’s worth, teachers approach conferences with a similar mixture of anticipation and anxiety.

Parent-Teacher conferences are a chance to exchange information, compare notes and make a plan.  Many parents prefer to approach this event with a clear strategy.  With that in mind, here are a few tips about how to prepare for, and what to expect from, preschool and early elementary conferences. 

Before the conference:

1. You can expect advance notice with a variety of time slots to fit a variety of schedules.  Don’t see something that works?  Let the teacher know what works for you.
2. Some teachers use a questionnaire to expand their knowledge of your child.  Don’t be shy!  Fill it out thoroughly and get it back to the teacher as soon as possible so they have enough time to read and think about it.
3. No questionnaire?  It’s perfectly fine to outline your questions and concerns in writing and send it to the teacher before your meeting.
4. Timing:  Most conferences last 15 to 30 minutes, and typically everyone agrees that isn’t long enough.  Feel free to ask for a longer conference or a follow up conference if you would like more time.
5. It’s a cliché but ask questions – lots and lots of questions.   Write them down before you attend and write down those that come up during your conference.  Conferences have a way of speeding by and a list reminds you of the most important things you want to cover.  And by the way, no question is too small or unimportant.

During the conference – Preschool

Preschool is a time of tremendous growth and change.  A young 3 year old is quite different in abilities, needs and interests than an older 5 year old.  For that reason, preschool conferences tend to provide information about child development and where your child fits into the span.

1. Preschool is very much about tracking growth and much of this growth is measurable through drawing, building, social relationships and play interests.
2. Expect to see your child’s work in a portfolio, on display in the classroom or both.  Frequently teachers will use a child’s drawings or photos of their play, building or other activities to discuss how things are going in preschool.
3. Conferences are also a great time to chart new milestones such as writing his or her name, playing cooperatively with classmates and pedaling a tricycle.
4. Transitions to school and from activity to activity in school are still challenging for children this age and this is an area teachers like to check in on and sometimes brainstorm strategies to support a child.

During the Conference – Early Elementary

Grades K-2 are still a time of tremendous change.  At this point, however, children are becoming increasingly independent and are able to concentrate on tasks for longer periods of time.  They enjoy going to school, taking the bus, having lunch with their friends and learning new things.  

Ready for a more formal learning program, elementary conferences will offer feedback about all domains – social, cognitive and physical development.  This information will be provided within the context of the school or district’s curriculum expectations.

1. Transitions to school are still hard for some children, especially in kindergarten.  Furthermore, in elementary school the day becomes faster paced with children switching between teachers for specials such as PE and Media.  This kind of transition can also flummox the early elementary child until they gain experience and become more comfortable with their new classroom.
2. Adjustment to a longer day (when applicable).
3. As in preschool, expect to see samples of your child’s work through displays in the classroom and portfolios. Often teachers are able to walk parents through what is being taught in class, how it is being taught and how your child is doing by using samples of work.
4. Social, physical, adjustment and cognitive/learning.
5. In early elementary, schools begin to use both formal and informal assessments.  Teachers typically explain what these assessments are, what they measure and how to understand the results.
6. Lastly, the social world is ever important for the early elementary child.  In fact, when asked to name their favorite part school, children in grades K-2 often answer, “recess” or “lunch”!  This is their chance to interact with peers and your child’s growth in the social arena of school will be another topic of conversation.

Troubleshooting 

When a teacher has concerns:

1. When a teacher has concerns, they typically contact parents before the conference to discuss them.  You are unlikely to hear about a significant problem for the first time at a conference.
2. If you and your child’s teacher have identified an issue to work on, you may spend part of the conference brainstorming approaches, strategies and solutions.
3. Ask around – get a second opinion – check with your pediatricians, your friends, your pastor.
4. Make a plan to follow up.  What will the teacher do?  The school?  You, the parent?  Decide when you will meet to share updates.

When a parent has concerns:

1. If you have concerns, it is helpful to bring them to the teacher’s attention before the conference.  This gives him/her extra time to consider your feedback, take a look at the issue in the classroom and pull together information for the conference.  
2. Feel free to request another meeting to finish your discussion.

When a parent needs more time:  

As a parent, you can always ask for more time.  Frequently, parents leave a conference, digest the information, and end up with follow-up questions.

1. Feel free to send an email or request a telephone call as follow-up
2. If you prefer a face-to-face meeting or feel the topic requires greater time, attention and back and forth, asks for another meeting.  

Parent teacher conferences are a chance for teachers and parents to share two sides of the same child.  For the parents, they offer a glimpse into their child’s world at school.  For the teacher it helps complete the picture of the child they have spent the fall getting to know.  

Ultimately, conferences bring together important adults in a child’s life so that they can support the child at school.   They are a great chance to share important information, to build a relationship with a teacher and work toward a successful school year. 

About the Author

Liz Lee is a Parent Talk member currently "at home' with her three children ages 2 to 8.  
Formerly a teacher in both public and private schools, she is interested in the ways school districts communicate with the community, especially with families about curriculum choices and rationales.