| Why Creative Dance? |
 Creative Dance Foundation
at the Scripps Performing Arts Academy So… We heard your little one loves to Dance! We bet your tiny dancer has even been walking on her tip toes! Selecting a dance class for the young dancer is tricky business. Let us explore together, how we can deliver the best experience for your child. Parent/teacher cooperation efforts are necessary in creating her or his first dance class to be a lifetime memory of Joy!
My First Dance Class; Why Creative Dance Foundation?
The Creative Dance Foundation program at SPAC offers a unique combination of creative movement and an appreciation for ballet. We provide a loving, fun-filled environment to stimulate your child's imagination and enhance his/her social skills, posture, physical awareness, rhythm, developmental movement patterns and spatial awareness. We use colorful props, costumes, make-up, imagery, original stories and musical instruments to encourage and stimulate the child's imagination. Children also benefit through improved muscle development and coordination, increased self-control and self-esteem, and imaginative interactions with others. Experts have drawn connections with reading and math, while enhancing your child's physical health and body awareness. Our primary division programs are a prelude to formal ballet instruction and introduce children to music and movement through a structured progression that stresses creativity and group interaction. At the end of the primary division the children will have been introduced to ballet steps, terminology and the basics of dance. Students enrolled will then be eligible to enter the Children’s Division; beginning ballet classes.
How to prepare your child for class?
Attire: Dance Clothing: Black leotard, pink tights, and pink ballet shoes. We require all students to wear the appropriate dress code. Students need real ballet shoes, not slippers which can be dangerous as they do not provide adequate traction. This is mandatory in order to provide the best learning conditions possible for all of our students. We are aware that well-meaning parents and grand parents love to buy “authentic dance clothes” for aspiring ballerinas. Those are lovely for practice at home. For the class, it is an incredible distraction. Please label all clothing with your child’s name, especially shoes! Hair: This is part of the implemented discipline strategies that causes scientists to report on how the arts improve math scores and the like. When you desire to give your child the best experience possible, hair placement is imperative. Loose hair and pony tales are a danger to twirling, whirling dancers. It prohibits their vision as well as disables the instructor from correcting proper placement. Good habits that are developed from the beginning are a life long asset that you gift to your child.
Healthy snacks and meals
Always have your young dancer come to class already fed. Healthy low sugar breakfasts for morning Creative Dance Foundation classes work best. Having a healthy snack ready (i.e. juice box, fresh fruit) when class is over is another good idea for hard working little dancers.
Entering the Academy
Please teach your child that when they enter a place where children are learning it should be with the same reverence as a Library. This is not meant to crush a joyful spirit but rather to instill respect for those who are already concentrating in classes that are in session.
Interrupting a Class or Rehearsals
Ballet Etiquette: When a class or rehearsal is already in progress, it is appropriate to wait by the door for a sign/eye contact from the teacher for an appropriate time to join the class. If you need to speak to the instructor whose class or rehearsal is already in progress, it is necessary that you write a note and leave it in the office communication box with the best time to reach you and someone will call you back. ALL CHILDREN deserve the respect to not have their class/and or rehearsal rudely interrupted.
Arrival at Class
Bathroom: Please make sure your child has used the bathroom before class begins. During class, as soon as one child needs to use the restroom every young child needs a turn. You can imagine our dilemma. Thanks for your support! Toys; Show and Tell. Please do not allow your child to bring in items to the dance room. Toys stuffed animals, hair clips, jewelry etc. All are major distractions, more often left behind never to be found again. We can not be responsible for lost items. Entering the Dance Room: Children may gather in the designated lobby area before class. At precisely the start of class your teacher will meet you in the lobby and assist the children by forming a choo-choo train. They will be ushered in a group to their class. In this way, we greatly diminish separation anxiety for our young dancers. It is much easier to “leave mommy” and go on to have fun, rather than to be “left by Mommy.” So, please arrive a few minutes early, change, use the bathroom, etc, makes for a calm transition and positive beginning! Late Arrivals: When young children are late and have to join a circle this can be a very intimidating situation and causes much discomfort. When a child misses the introduction, it can be almost impossible for the teacher to continue. Rather it is necessary to repeat the introduction to make the child who was late comfortable. Of course, this is unfair and redundant for the children who were on time. Please make every effort to be early. Leaving the building If you plan on leaving the building (i.e. to run an errand, shopping etc.) please let the instructor know.
Observation
Please observe the school calendar for appropriate observation days. These occur once a quarter. Naturally, if Grandparents visit from out of town they are welcome always. You are always welcome to peek through our observation windows. Every 4-6 weeks the teacher may ask you to arrive 10 minutes early for pick up; as the children will be having a short presentation for the parents.
Practicing at home
We do not encourage practicing “steps” at home. Rather play some of your favorite classical music. Let your child know who the composer is, add costumes, props and let’em whirl. Performances All performance opportunities are optional. You and your child may choose none, one, two, or all of the productions that are offered at the Academy each year. You know your child best. As a staff we encourage moderation for all of our students. During performance preparation, it is important that our dancers not miss their regular Creative Dance Foundation classes. Audience If you choose not to be in a production, it is a very good idea to go and “watch” the performance. In this way, young minds are able learn how being part of the audience and support the performers on stage. It is also a wonderful way to have children understand how to have proper audience manners.
Vacation
As summertime nears we often hear parents refer to how their children need “a break”. Certainly busy children may be on overload by June. However, a dance class for one hour, one day a week is not taking up too much time. In actuality, small children who take the summer off are at a tremendous disadvantage when they return in the fall. Many times returning students need to repeat the basics and are not able to keep up with their peers who have continued all summer. We recommend no more than a 2-week vacation.
In Closing
We are thrilled to give your child a happy and wonderful experience. With your help, we are sure to meet success. Please do not hesitate to ask questions. More importantly, we need your input. Please share with us your thought, ideas and how we can serve you better.
Information Provided from Our Parent-Student Handbooks
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