#8: Combo Classes, Jazz and Hip-HopMarch 26, 2012

I say avoid these altogether. As far as combo classes go, consider that the attention span for concentrated dance time for this age group is about 40 minutes.  Now consider the amount of time it takes to take shoes off and on, and you have whittled your child’s dance time down to about 25 minutes.  Tap is a developmental skill, like memorizing choreography, that involves specialized and coordinated movements that children this young are just not ready for.  The more basic concepts of tap and ballet can be easily and successfully incorporated into a creative movement class.

Jazz and hip-hop styles were created by adults, for adults, and really have no practical application for young children.  A good creative movement class engages children physically, socially and cognitively.  It’s imaginative, interactive, child-centered and playful.  These are the developmental and social experiences we should be providing for our children.