I am looking for a dance class for a 3-year-old in the Mesa/Chandler/Tempe general areas (we live on Alma School b/w Elliot and Guadalupe, but I'm flexible.) I want something that isn't expensive, as this would be our first venture into dance and I would hate to spend a load when 3-year-olds will be 3-year-olds about how much dancing they want to do and if they're in the mood for it. I think the cheaper classes tend to be through the cities, but rather than look up each city and go through their recreation brochures, I thought I might speed up the process and ask you informative Mamas! :-) (I have a 1-month-old too that is taking up most "free" time.) :-) Thank you for any recommendations!
The city of Chandler has a great program. It is very inexpensive. The shoes cost more then classes. We have taken from Mrs. Dianna and Mrs. Lindsey. They are both very good. My yougest daughter is taking from Ocotillo dance stutios. It is pretty expensive. My daughter loves Miss A.. She very kind and gets down on the kids level by tieing little song in so they remember their dance moves.
I am sorry I do not know about your area's dance studios, but I do know a little about the process. City classes are the perfect way to start! You can see if your Sweetie enjoys dancing and if you like the studio, you could continue with them. Also, most classes designed for that age group are shorter and offer two different types of dance, like tap and ballet. It keeps things interesting for the wee ones. My daughter, now the teacher, wishes your's lots of fun dancing!
www.gilbertreacreation.com is a wonderful Parks and Recreation program. My children have gone for many classes including dance and the teachers are great and they had a great experience.
At this age, dance classes are NOT 'formal' dance training.
AND, most formal dance programs, do not accept kids this young.
When it is this age, it is mostly 'movement' classes with music.
And kids this age, are not coordinated yet. Nor are their attention spans fully developed.
So do not expect, your child to be 'dancing' like an older child.
Keep expectations, age-appropriate.
Our Kinder combo for ages 3-4 is an hour per week. They have tap shoes and class leotards they wear. The do activities like the hokey pokey song. This song teaches them to listen to the teacher, they have a left hand, a right foot, a head, etc...that goes somewhere and has something to do while it's there, right hand in, right hand out, right hand in and shake it all about. They might put on grass skirts and do hula activities. They are NOT learning to do the hula but learning, again, that they have hands and feet that go somewhere and to listen to the teacher. They usually spend a few minutes each class hopping like a bunny, hands at chest and hopping on their tap toes. Then they hop back across the floor like a duck, hands on hiney, curled up like a tail, on their tap heels. They are learning to tap on their toes and heels.
They play lots of other games and none of the time is spent with teachers standing at the front instructing them.
They do this part of the class for 30 minutes then they switch out and they go upstairs and do gymnastics for the other 30 minutes.
Try the Chandler/Gilbert YMCA it is just west of Alma School on Frye. We are members so classes are pretty cheap but I dOnt think they are to bad for nonmembers.
Gilbert Parks and Rec has EXCELLENT dance classes for 3 year olds. Both of my daughters took classes there, and we all LOVED it! I would recommend going through any of the Parks and Rec programs. The YMCA also has dance classes for the little ones.
