Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Dance Classes - Small or Large Sizes?

By Sarah Wilkiamson

The size of classes is a popular discussion these days and all of the positives seem to go to smaller classes. Smaller classes give the teachers a better chance of getting to know the students and to see when they aren't fully grasping some aspect of the skill they are attempting to learn.

Students and especially young children work at different paces. Large classes like this are difficult for them, as they can often have enormous pressure to try to keep up with the rest of the class. Pressure on children at this age can set them up for life long problems.

Children can get lost in the crowd of other voices and problems if a class is too large. Creativity and individuality suffer as a consequence. Some schools still practice large classes, however this is a poor learning environment that is driven more by the goal to make money than one that sets out to help its pupils learn an art form. When choosing a dance school, one of the first things a parent should query is the class sizes.

Good dance schools have smaller classes, which are a much better fit for young children. They do not feel so lost and alone and will enjoy learning new skills and achieving new heights in creativity. Here are some advantages of enrolling your child in dance classes with smaller numbers of students:

The security: A young person needs the security of a small class. The atmosphere is more like that that they will experience at home and this helps them to feel relaxed and makes learning more efficient.

Can learn at their own pace: Your child does not have to be constantly trying to catch up. A smaller class allows for students with different rates of learning. This means that your child can learn better and remember the routines quicker.

Friendly atmosphere: your child will able to make friends easer. They can work with friends to improve routines and skills. They can also make life long associates and learn social skills that will be useful throughout their lives.

Encourages concentration: Smaller classes offer less distraction for young students. This enables them to concentrate better and absorb what the teacher is explaining to them.

Better screening of students: because the classes are smaller, class enrolment is limited. This means there is better screening of students and more children will be dedicated to success and really want to learn to dance. There will be less distraction for your child and they will learn faster.

All of these points need to be considered when contemplating a choice of dancing schools. It's easy to come to the conclusion that small classes are the best option for any type of learning, but it is especially so for children. It's important that children have a really good learning environment that will enable them to learn fast and retain more of what they have learned. It's also very important that they feel comfortable and at ease with their surroundings.

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