How To Take Dance Class Home

Your child has had a GREAT class - now what? Carina asked us what young dancers can do to practice what they have learned in class. We love this question and have gathered a few suggestions from our teachers, but not just for young dancers. Read below for our top tips for different age groups.





3 things to do at home for dancers under 6 years old:

1. Encourage improvisation to music. I still remember my parents watching me "perform" my latest choreography as a child in the living room! Make time to sit and watch, it encourages self-esteem and creativity.
2. Any kind of stretching - why not join in parents?
3. Play "dance class". Many of our young dancers love to teach their friends or dolls in their room what they have learned in class. This is a fun way to practice new steps. Plus, wouldn't it be wonderful to be a fly on the wall!

3 things to do at home for dancers under 12 years old:

1. Any of the above.
2. Asking for the playlist from class or the name of the music for a choreography or combination for practice at home.
3. Purchase a Theraband (ask us, we have some) to add resistance to foot exercises and stretches.

3 things to do at home for dancers 12 and older:

1. Any of the above with a specific focus on stretching. Using a Theraband to help stretch hamstrings, calves, hip flexors and working on splits.
2. Foam rolling for releasing tension, lengthening short muscles, tendons and ligaments and improving circulation. A little strange feeling at first but it gets easier and very beneficial over time!
3. Planks for improved core strength.

Thanks Carina for the wonderful blog topic. Have fun taking your dance class home with you! 

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