Uno wants to take dance classes. She practically explodes with energy, so I think it's a good idea ... but when DH looked into it, he discovered that -- except for the 3yo class -- all of the students are required to attend and participate in competitions.
Bleh.
I'm sure Uno won't mind that; she's among the most competitive people I know (though also one of the whiniest when she doesn't win). But I really hate the idea. Why can't she just dance for fun? Why can't she learn some cool moves, get all that crazy pent-up energy out, and call it a day? Recitals I wouldn't mind, but at a mere 5yo I don't feel like schlepping her all over the mountain west to face off with other kindergartners.
Waaaah.
For those with older kids, is this typical of how dance classes work? Or is this just another of the many oddities of my small town? :-P
~RCH~
6 years ago
5 comments:
MiniG took dance at about that age and no competitions. I think that is waaaayy to young to start that. At that age it should still be about the joy of dancing. Then if they really like it and want to really pursue it, then they can goto competitions. But not at first.
If it is the only dance place around, being a small town and all, can you request or simply decline having your child attend competitions?
That's stupid! Why should your kid have to compete just to try out something new? I agree that it's too early on to start kids worrying about winning when it should just be for fun. I know they have regular ole ones down in our neck of the woods that don't require anything else.
I've been thinking about signing Dana up for Irish Dance but she can't start until next year. Maybe they're worried about kids kicking each other? ;)
Just plain unhealthy!!!
Dancing is for fun. Maybe everyone should watch ellen every now and then. She dances EVERY DAY and just for fun!!
I bought the town's weekly newspaper yesterday. Page 3 has a smiling photo of some other 5yo holding a ginormous trophy and wearing a tiara. Apparently she'd just won a dance competition in Blackfoot (which is what, 2 hours from here?).
FIVE YEARS OLD, PEOPLE!!!
I asked DH if we could sign her up for the class and just boycott the competitions. His impression was that Uno would get kicked off the "team" (or out of the class or whatever) if she didn't participate. Whatever. Maybe he misunderstood (does this mean I have to call about it? Yikes!) but if that really is the case.... I guess no dance lessons for the girls. :-(
We have the same dilema. Whitney has been taking for years but in order to get the quality classes she has done competitions for 2 years. Here it isn't like a pageant or winning or anything. There are lots of girls dancing, we don't stay for the awards, they all feel like winners, and she gets the experience of performing as well as great dance lessons. She is doing amazingly well and truly enjoys it! Good luck with your decision.
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