Class Management, Pt. 2
Managing Your Pre-Ballet Classes
Last week, we discussed some ways to help you manage your pre-ballet classes. This week we'll continue our discussion with a few more tips:
CHILDREN RESPOND WELL TO PHRASES
There are some phrases you can use in class that will encourage your students to follow along and participate in class. Greet your students by saying, “Happy ballet day!” or something similar to get them excited about class right away. Children feed off of your energy. If you are happy and upbeat, they are more likely to be so too. When you want your dancers to be still, you can say something like, “I’m looking for the stillest dancer.” Then say the names of dancers who are still. Those who have not been still will likely want the positive attention and be still. As long as you do not overuse them, if you do use a phrase on multiple occasions, your students will be more likely to remember them and more quickly follow them.
LEAD YOUR DANCERS
When teaching young children, be sure you (and/or a teaching assistant) are participating along with them during class. Your model behavior will help your students learn how to participate in class, as well as how to do movements and steps. If you are doing a story dance or other dance activity, be the role model. When asking students to sit like ballerinas, do it along with them. Of course, during some exercises--like a free dance activity--you will want to give them guidance to get them started, but then allow them to freely express and move for themselves. But during most of the class, don’t be surprised if you or your teaching assistant needs to do the steps and activities along with your students. And remember, as they get older, they will get become more independent. They’ll want to be line leaders and will be able to complete steps and activities better and better on their own.
LINE LEADERS
There will come a day when your little ballerinas will ask you the dreaded question: “Can I be the line leader?” Not that there’s anything wrong with this question. It’s the number of students who ask this question in a given class, and your response that can make a difference. Some teachers will solve the line leader issue by going down the role and picking a different student for each day. Some teachers have different methods. Whatever your system is, don’t promise a child they will get to be the line leader during the next class if you won’t remember to follow through. One way to avoid this is to let a student who will not be today’s line leader know that she or he can be the line leader another time. Also, when choosing the line leader, remember you may have some shy students in your class. Never force a student to be the line leader if they do not want to be. Give them the option, but if they shy away from it, don’t force them.
Happy Dancing!
Ashley Hartford
Founder + Owner, Once Upon a Ballet
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