Shows like So You Think You Can Dance, America's Best Dance Crew, and Dancing with the Stars, have put dancing on the map. All the glamour and glitz has put twinkles in the eyes of kids, but can put financial burden on the parents. The sport of dance is expensive, but it also one of the most rewarding sports, as long as the children and parents know how to handle it.
Dance is beautiful, it is an expression of emotions, and if done properly it can move an audience to tears. But behind the scenes it is whole different world.
Primping and fawning, becomes more the obsession of the parent than the child. Dance Competitions offer a whole new meaning to the word, especially when the fun is extracted. The experience especially for new parents can be daunting, overwhelming and scary. But it doesn't have to be.
By remembering these simple steps you can make the experience positive:
- Reinforce with the child that dancing is fun, and competiting is fun
- Explain that doing their best is all that is expected of them
- Remember dance is subjective, sometimes they may win a platinum medal while other times they may get a gold. But no matter what as long as they have done their best job that is all that matters.
- Don't ever compare a child's progress with that of another child. And don't allow the child to compare their strengths or weakness with other children. Every child has their strengths and weaknesses.
- Tell the child not to get discouraged, there are good days and bad days but as long as they have tried their hardest that is all that matters.
- Don't get wrapped up in the gossip and the negativity, this will cause nothing but disappointment and ruin the fun.
- Encourage the child to be supportative not only of their team mates but of other competitors
Dance allows children to express their emotions. It also helps to build self-esteem and it is a great way to keep fit. Being asked to compete is exciting, and is a testment to the child's hard work, but don't get caught up in the drama. Yes it is disappointing when the child doesn't get the number or role that they want, but it is also an opportuntity for them to do better. Tell the child to take the experience and learn from it. Hard work always pays off and perserverence is a powerful tool.
If the competitve stream is the route that is choosen, be prepared for long trips and hotel stays. The best piece of advice is to start saving as soon as the committment is made, because extra expenses will creep up during the year, like choreography fees, costume fees and competition fees and they can add up fast.
While it may seem financially overwhelming determine what the comfort level and stick to the budget. But remember this is an investment in the child, not only is dance fun but it is a great form of exercise, and the skills they learn are always transferable.
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