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 Educating
Your Students’ Parents!
By Rhee
Gold
How
to help them help you
“Some
parents could do more for their children by not doing so much
for them.” - Author unknown
When I ask
teachers, “What is the biggest issue that you have a hard time
dealing with?”, they almost always respond, “Dealing with the
parents!”
This
frustration comes from parents who believe that their child
should be in a higher level class or in a ballet production
that the child is not ready for. Or it could be that a mom
wants her child to go on pointe before the child is ready
technically
or physically. In some cases, a parent will pull their child
from a school if their demands aren’t met.
My thoughts
are that we need to educate the parents better. Help them to
understand that every child develops their dance skills
differently and just because one child is a certain age or has
been training a certain amount of time doesn’t mean they are
ready for something another child who is the same age or has
had the same training may be able to accomplish.
The
following is an excerpt from my Intensive Dancer Handbook
from The Dance School Management Series; it helps me to
avoid some of the parent issues before they arise.
We’re in
this together
Parents and
teachers may look at a child’s learning from different
perspectives. However, they share a common goal: to assure
that every child receives the best possible training, both
physically and mentally. Mutual respect between our faculty
and our dancers’ parents provides the children with the
ultimate care and education.
Helping
Your Child Get the Most Out of Their Dance Lessons
·
Encourage
your child and express your pride in their efforts and
accomplishments
·
Make sure
your child arrives ten minutes prior to the start of his/her
class and that he/she attends all scheduled lessons and/or
rehearsals. Missing class can be discouraging when the child
returns to class; often children have a hard time catching up,
especially with choreography. They can become frustrated and
anxious when they can’t keep up.
·
Encourage
your child to practice at home, especially when it comes to
choreography or new material. A student who retains the
choreography or movement from week to week is more confident
and enjoys the dance experience more.
·
Talk with
your child about what they learned at dance class; encourage
them to show you the new things they were taught that day.
·
Show
respect for your child’s dance teacher, especially when it
comes to disciplinary action. Feel free to call the school for
a parent-teacher meeting any time you have a question
concerning discipline.
·
Avoid
judgmental statements concerning other parents and students at
the school.
·
Be proud to
be a non-gossiping parent; spreading gossip or rumors creates
a downbeat atmosphere and is a negative influence on
productivity both in and out of the classroom.
·
Promptness
with tuition, costume deposits and other funds is essential;
payments should be made on or prior to the due dates.
·
Be proud
that your child has a healthy body and is focused on one of
the greatest art forms of them all . . . the art of dance!
Understanding Dance Education
As a
parent, the financial support of your student is important,
but of equal – perhaps even greater – value is your emotional
support. Encourage your child to be the best that he or she
can be without regard to what others may achieve. Dance is an
individual art form; each child needs to achieve at a pace
that’s comfortable for him or her. No two students will
progress at the same rate, even if they experience the exact
same training. It’s important to encourage the children to
focus on themselves, give their all, and be satisfied with
their own accomplishments.
Dance
education encompasses far more than technique or the steps
your children will learn. We believe the discipline of dance
training gives young people a better understanding of
commitment by offering them the chance to learn, experience
the spirit of teamwork, and understand what hard work can
accomplish. Our goal is to educate the minds, bodies, and
souls of our students, and to teach them the skills needed for
a successful life, whether or not they stay involved in dance.
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