If your child is expressing an interest in dance, or has been doing it for a while now but is looking for a dance style to focus on, it can be difficult to narrow it down to which dance style is best for your child.
With so many options and dance classes for kids in all styles, if you’re a parent who is unfamiliar with dance, this can be very overwhelming.
With that in mind, we’ve put together this handy guide on how to choose the dance style that’s right for your child.
How Do I Know When My Child Is Ready for Dance Classes?
Of course, the first thing you have to determine is when your child is ready to dance in the first place.
Each child develops at their own pace, and some may be ready earlier than others to take children’s dance classes in Toronto. So, setting an age threshold doesn’t really suit.
There are, however, a variety of things you can look out for that will help you know its time to get your child into dance.
Things your child will need to do in a dance class:
- Pay attention
- Be active
- Socialize well with new kids
- Practice
- Be okay with trying new things that they may not immediately be amazing at
These are some basic maturity signifiers, and if your child has most of them, then great, they’re ready to dance!
How to Choose the Best Style for Your Child
So, your child is ready to put on those dancing shoes…but now comes the hard part: which dance style is right for them?
First, let’s lay out the options:
The list above is by no means exhaustive but covers the most commonly available dance styles offered in a class setting.
So, how do you choose the dance style best suited for your child?
First, ask them! They may already have a dance style in mind.
Next, it’s good to do a bit of research. You know your child better than anyone—do they love musical theatre? How about jazz music? Or are they more into hip hop? Bits of information like this can be a great way to figure out which dance style for kids is best for them.
You can also ask fellow parents what classes their children take. Maybe a friend is already enrolled in dance classes for kids, making the choice pretty easy.
Finally, consider some logistics—the schedule can make it very easy to figure out which class is best by virtue of being the only one that fits into your routine.
What Are the Different Types of Dance Styles for My Child?
Ballet Dance
Ballet is one of the most famous and elegant forms of dance. Requiring a high amount of discipline, ballet can be among the most rewarding when mastered.
It focuses on grace, posture, flexibility, alignment, and strength.
There are different forms of ballet, it’s worth noting, but most more or less focus on the same qualities.
Jazz Dance
Jazz is a style that has a unique focus on improvisation, allowing for your child to express a bit more creativity when dancing (at least early on).
It also combines many of the aspects of other styles, making it a good all-rounder.
Tap Dance
Tap dance is one of the most unique and iconic forms of dance out there. It turns your body into an instrument of sorts, after all, combining musicality with the dancing, making a dance style that is truly magical.
It also has a bit of improvisation built-in, again allowing for a bit more creative expression. It does, however, require the purchasing of tap dance shoes.
Hip Hop Dance
Hip-hop dancing is a style that’s high in intensity and fluidity. It’s one of the most popular modern forms of dance and is great for kids who love the genre already or watch music videos, imagining themselves in them one day.
Hip hop is also very much open to modification and experimentation, making it a very fun way to get moving.
Contemporary Dance
Speaking of experimentation, if your child is the explorer type, always looking for new ways of doing things, then modern/contemporary dance is perfect for them.
Often focused on instilling emotional impressions in the dance, this can also be a highly creative dance style.
Acro Dance
Acro dance (acrobatic dance) is great for kids who love to jump and fly in the air.
With shows like “Cheer” popularizing this type of dance, this is perfect for the kids that are more athletic or love the idea of soaring high in the sky (in a very safe, very closely monitored environment, of course).
How to Find the Right Dance Classes for My Child
This one is easy! Just look for a provider that is trusted, nearby, and offers the classes your child is interested in.
A provider like . . .
Performing Dance Arts: Offering the Best Dance Classes in Toronto for Your Child
If your child is ready for Woodbridge dance classes or children’s dance classes in Toronto, you’re in luck—Performing Dance Arts is one of the best in the GTA. With our outstanding facilities paired with extraordinary instructors, there’s no better choice when it comes to dancing lessons in Toronto than Performing Dance Arts.
We teach children of many ages in a variety of dance styles. All our instructors are experts in their style and great at imparting their knowledge to the next generation of dance stars.
When your child takes lessons at Performing Dance Arts, they will greatly improve their fitness and confidence. Our studio teaches dance arts and skills that will serve your child well throughout their entire life.
Contact us today for more information about the programs we offer or stop by our dance studio in Toronto today!
