Dance classes for kids specifically for exercise?

[I_Know_You2!]

Whichever they enjoy doing most. That way they practice.

 

[MELSMICE]

Any good teacher will make sure the kids have a good workout, regardless of the style you choose. .

Thank you. My students leave all of my classes sweaty & gross!!!!! All 3 of those class choices would be good exercise, but make sure they are doing it because they want to.

That being said, if you're just looking to get your kids some exercise then enroll them in an exercise class. Please don't be one of those parents that just enrolls their kids in a studio & really doesn't care about it.

However, hip hop may not be in style in a few years, but the gals can use their ballet or jazz in auditions for the high school musicals in the future

Has it been around that long?!? Man, I am getting old.

I just took a hip hop class a few weeks ago & the teacher was giving us some dance history. He was teaching old school hip hop walks, etc. that were originated with a guy named Don Campbell back in the 60's.

I was even surprised at how long hip hop has been around. For the longest time I thought hip hop was just a fad, but it looks like it is here to stay. Dance Masters of America is trying to get it to become part of their cirriculum in their Teacher's Training School courses. Right now they only have it as workshops.

 

[DebD4T]

In addition to exercise, ballet class can help give a student poise and discipline. I have found that ballet students carry themselves differently...with more confidence?? (I am not sure if that is the right word I am looking for)

Ballet is the cornerstone of dance. No matter what type of dance I am watching, I can tell if a student has a ballet background or not. At DDs' dance school, ballet class is required. The only students who do not take ballet are the older (16 and up) girls who come only for hip-hop class.

 

[powellrj]

My DD had taken combination classes when she was younger and just started taking Jazz, Tap and Ballet this year. She enjoys ballet the most, followed by Jazz and tap is her least favorite. I am going to keep her in all 3 for now because she needs not only the exercise, but since she wants to be in show choir in high school, she needs the dance experience.

 

[KristiKelly]

In addition to exercise, ballet class can help give a student poise and discipline. I have found that ballet students carry themselves differently...with more confidence?? (I am not sure if that is the right word I am looking for)

Ballet is the cornerstone of dance. No matter what type of dance I am watching, I can tell if a student has a ballet background or not. At DDs' dance school, ballet class is required. The only students who do not take ballet are the older (16 and up) girls who come only for hip-hop class.

DD 8 has been taking dance since she was 2, she started out w/ tap & ballet combo class. After a couple of years she decided she only wanted to do ballet. Her teacher told me that if she had a strong ballet background that she could do any kind of dance. DD has since changed studios to a ballet only studio and does 4 hours a week. She comes out exhausted, she loves it though. They do The Nutcracker every December - she thinks she's a star when that time comes.

 

[mjkacmom]

In addition to exercise, ballet class can help give a student poise and discipline. I have found that ballet students carry themselves differently...with more confidence?? (I am not sure if that is the right word I am looking for)

Ballet is the cornerstone of dance. No matter what type of dance I am watching, I can tell if a student has a ballet background or not. At DDs' dance school, ballet class is required. The only students who do not take ballet are the older (16 and up) girls who come only for hip-hop class.

I signed up dd7 for a modern dance class (because 3 nights of irish dancing isn't enough - LOL), and the instructor pulled me over after the class, asking about her dance history. I told her she was doing irish dancing for the past 2 years, and she looked confused, and then I told her she took ballet for 2 years before that, and she said "that makes sense." Apparently, she has great feet (whatever that means - her irish dance instructors have said the same).

 

[MELSMICE]

Apparently, she has great feet (whatever that means - her irish dance instructors have said the same).

LOL - most likely they mean that she has a great arch in her foot & when her toe is pointed it has great extension to the entire foot without a "sickling" form to it.

Most students don't have naturally "great feet" so your DD is one of the lucky ones!!!

 

[robinb]

My DD had taken combination classes when she was younger and just started taking Jazz, Tap and Ballet this year. She enjoys ballet the most, followed by Jazz and tap is her least favorite. I am going to keep her in all 3 for now because she needs not only the exercise, but since she wants to be in show choir in high school, she needs the dance experience.

My 9-year old DD also takes all three. She's been in ballet since she was 3-4, she added Jazz last year and just added Tap this year. Unfortunately, has to dance Jazz with the 6-8 year olds since there is no beginning Tap for kids her age. I *think* she likes Ballet the best.

PD: I don't remember how old your kids are but if they are older than 6-8 and just starting out I might select Hip Hop over Ballet and Tap. It's tough to come into a class as a novice when everyone else has been dancing for a few years. My guess is that something like Hip Hop would be new to most of the students and your kids would be on the same page as the other students.

 

[dreamer17555]

I have to agree with the Hip Hop. My DD comes out of that class dripping with sweat. Ewww. But she loves it.

-Becca-

 

[MAKmom]

Hip Hop.

Do you have a Youth Club league in your area or CYO. Most leagues have basket ball & cheer leading for the younger girls. It is a good idea to start them young so by the time they get to middle school they can make a team.

 

[I_Know_You2!]

I think you are looking at this in the wrong manner. If you want physically fit children, show them the joy of movement. Let them find a dance type, cheer leading, karate, whatever, involve the family, and they will be active and fit.

Take them out for bike rides, walk, spend weekends hiking, dance while you do the dishes...whatever. Everyone benefits, because these are life skills, not the "diet" of the excercise world.

 

[MELSMICE]

PD: I don't remember how old your kids are but if they are older than 6-8 and just starting out I might select Hip Hop over Ballet and Tap. It's tough to come into a class as a novice when everyone else has been dancing for a few years. My guess is that something like Hip Hop would be new to most of the students and your kids would be on the same page as the other students.

Most studios should have beginner classes for each age group.

 

[robinb]

Most studios should have beginner classes for each age group.

Ours doesn't ... maybe because it's a small studio ? That's OK. Once my DD does one year (or maybe even less) she'll move in with the continuing Tap class in her age group.

 

[MELSMICE]

Ours doesn't ... maybe because it's a small studio ? That's OK. Once my DD does one year (or maybe even less) she'll move in with the continuing Tap class in her age group.

That is strange. It's tough to teach a class if there are beginners & also kids that have experience in the same class. Some kids will be bored while others can be frustrated.

We have beginner classes for 5-7 year old combination, 7-9 year old hip hop, 7-9 year old ballet, 10+ ballet, 10+ hip hop, 7-9 cheer dance, 8-10 musical theatre & 11+ musical theatre. These are offered each year, in addition to preschool classes, obviously.

A student will progress to the next level the following year, and continue to progress to a new level each year (hopefully - some do repeate a level). Any student just enrolling in my studio or picking up a new class that they have never taken will go in to the beginner level. Over time, (a few years) experienced classes will be combined when they each reach the same level.

This year I have almost 20 kids in the 10+ level of both hip hop & ballet. Some are new students, some are current students picking up a new class, but they are all beginners in that dance genre.

 

[Pixiedust34]

A couple of things......

I have never heard of a studio giving free lessons to beginners! What a nice opportunity if you have it!

Our 10 y.o. dd is starting her 8th year of dancing. She started young and loves it. She's been in tap, jazz, and ballet classes. This year she is doing hip hop and lyrical jazz. All types of dance will give you a workout, though hip hop is probably the one that'll keep the kids hopping the most, and it's pretty popular with the tween and teen crowd.

Since any dance lesson will provide a workout, perhaps have your dds choose which type of dance they'd like to do. If they enjoy their dance classes, they will put more effort into them and will have fun while dancing.

 

[Papa Deuce]

I agree, once a week of anything is barely exersize. Why not take them on a bike ride? A family walk?

They already do Tae Kwan Do 2x a week. And they might be joining a swim team as well. Why would you think they would only do one day of dance?

 

[I_Know_You2!]

That is a lot of organized activities for kids.

 

[Papa Deuce]

That is a lot of organized activities for kids.

It is ALL their idea.... the swim team is just one day a week if they join... Tae Kwan Do is 2 days. Dance is one day.... so 3 - 4 evenings max.... and swim is actually on Saturday morning...

 

[dreamer17555]

It is ALL their idea.... the swim team is just one day a week if they join... Tae Kwan Do is 2 days. Dance is one day.... so 3 - 4 evenings max.... and swim is actually on Saturday morning...

Don't feel bad. My DD does a lot of dance and I get a bunch of grief about it here too. The kids are happy, and you are happy then it is all good.

-Becca-

 

[I_Know_You2!]

It is ALL their idea.... the swim team is just one day a week if they join... Tae Kwan Do is 2 days. Dance is one day.... so 3 - 4 evenings max.... and swim is actually on Saturday morning...

I understand that it is their idea. But is it what is best for them? Would family walks be better for them and the family? KWIM? A child doesn't get that concept, but adults should. My kids have wanted to do many things in life, and as a parent, one of my jobs is to sometimes say "no."