I once taught a class of three year olds who I called my Sparkly Marbles. They were very proud of their title and often referred to themselves as Miss Robyn’s Sparkly Marbles. One class a dancer asked, “Miss Robyn, why are we sparkly?” I replied, “Because your giggles sparkle everywhere! It is very beautiful.” Another […]
There is an alert on my phone that goes off each Friday at 11:50am. The alert reads as such: “PreBallet 12:00-1:15” If that alert reflected my reality, however, it would read: “TIME TO PLAY!!! (and teach ballet) 12:00-1:15” Anyone who has taught young kids ballet (or anything, for that matter) can likely relate to this. […]
It’s “back to school” season on this side of the pond, and like many dance teachers, you’re probably busily gearing up for the year ahead. This is an exciting time for some and a daunting one for others. Your little students are buying new ballet shoes, getting their tights and leotards for their upcoming pre-ballet […]
That 3-year old shouldn’t be spinning pirouettes any time soon. So what should you teach her? What can you do for the dancer-to-be to prepare her for the technical demands of the years to come? Choosing the right age to start young students in ballet poses a challenge to studio owners, and even experienced ballet […]
Young ballerinas need strict technique training too, right? Several years ago, I went for an interview for a teaching position at a local dance school. I wanted to expand my horizons and gain experience teaching at as many schools as possible. The director of the school and I had a lengthy conversation following the interview […]
Self-esteem is an internalizing of who and what you are. Knowing and understanding who we are is essential to the growth process of every individual. Lack of such knowledge or the internalizing of wrong ideas about themselves can cause lasting negative effects on a person’s self-worth. Your youngest students will not understand that it is […]
Rising in popularity over the past 10 years is the idea of the “combination class”. There are teachers and studio owners who love the idea, and others who struggle with teaching all that needs to be taught in such a short amount of time. How can teachers learn to adapt and provide a solid dance […]
Three, four and five year olds are the most complex, delicate and fascinating students to teach! Not everyone walks into their ballet classroom and feels fully prepared for what is to come. These great points from the Level 2 Curriculum Book will provide useful and practical advice to the ballet teacher who finds this level […]
Forcing too much turnout in young children is not only unsafe, it is also unnecessary. Their bodies allow for a gradual progression with a projected 90º turnout achieved by the age of 7 or 8. As they get older, teachers must explain how to externally rotate from the hip to allow for the increase of […]
Children need structure. This is especially true in the pre-ballet years, as they prepare for a more disciplined class. The less “free time” they have in the class period, the better. They should know exactly what they’re supposed to do when they arrive, until class starts, when they arrive late, while the teacher is talking, when […]
Would you say you teach a “happy” class? When your students leave your classroom, are they overly tired and restless, or do they feel a sense of accomplishment? Pacing your class, implementing creative rest periods, and taking your students’ ever-changing needs into account will make a big difference in the happiness and quality of your class. Pacing […]
So, what do you do when your 7 year-olds don’t want to practice tendu, they want to saut de chat across the room like the beautiful ballerinas they saw in recital last year? I’ve had more than one conversation with that age group about how important it is to do everything at the right time. […]
An article has gone around the internet with some funny, sarcastic tips on how to make dance recitals “suck less”. In my honest opinion, the whole recital experience can be painful, drawn out and excruciating, it’s true. But instead of focusing on the things that annoy us about recital night, I would challenge my readers to commit […]
Teachers sometimes spend much of the year trying to figure out what should logically come next in their teaching. How can we know what they should be learning next? Moving through the natural movement sequences and into ballet technique happens around the age of 7 to 10 years. Learn to guide your students and […]
Just imagine: A class full of unruly 4 and 5 year olds that don’t listen, don’t mind you and have a lot of trouble staying attentive. Sound familiar? Sounds like a nightmare! In the teaching help section of her Level 2 Curriculum Book, Ruth Brinkerhoff gives some great, practical and timeless advice to teachers on […]
