I always love reading different responses to situations, both the 'actual answers' and the "what I'd like to" answers. I'm surprised that there isn't a sticky. If there is, I've somehow missed it. So I am suggesting that we make one, and am humbly submitting this as a starting point. I'm off to the studio, but I'll give you some questions to chew on. A lot of the usual.

"Why can't my child advance? She wants to be in class with her friends!" Or something of that nature.

And the always popular, "Why can't my child be in X level? At our last school she was in level Z!"

"Why do the students here have to wear a uniform? Where we studied before the children could participate wearing whatever!"

And one more, just for fun since I had such a hard time not laughing when it was asked to me, "Why do you make the students wait until their scheduled class time to come into the studio? Why not let them come in the studio to dance around? What about kids that get here earlier? Clearly they are eager to dance! Why do you squelch that desire and make them wait? Then they don't want to dance!"
Okay, sorry, that was clearly more than one question! lol.

Okay I'm off! Have fun!

Oh my gosh! I CAN'T STAND when parents bring their children 30-45 minutes early and expect me to let them in the room to "dance" AKA run and play. It's ridiculous! Number one, I am not getting paid for the extra time. In fact, I typically use those 30-45 minutes to plan for class, choreograph, or simply gather my thoughts. Number two, if I let the kids into the room, and they hyperactively "dance around" for a good half hour, they have no energy left to give me when it comes time to focus on CLASS. Hello?! These parents need to quit taking us for granted. If they need time to themselves or have errands to run, hire an ACTUAL babysitter. What a concept!

Sorry for the rant. This is just something that really gets under my skin.

And, I agree with you. This should totally be a sticky!

www.dance.net . . .

www.dance.net . . .

Wow! I hope I'm never asked the last question. Why do students have to wait outside before their class? I keep my door closed before my 1st class, that seems to keep students out. I do know teachers that don't care if students go into the studio and run around and scream. I think this is a bad practice as it allows kids to disrespect the space they learn to dance in. I will allow older students to come in a few minutes early to stretch, but the little ones stay outside. I certainly don't think I'm being a kill joy. Just out of curiosity...what was your response?

Oh my goodness. Tell that last parent that you would be MORE than happy to allow their child to come earlier to dance.....if they wish to enroll in that class/pay for a private lesson!!!!!

ooh, I thought of another - if this is before you have ANY classes, tell them your insurance only covers such-and-such times, or times when you are having an actual class, ect.

I have a Mom of a toddler that brings her 30 minutes early EVERY week. And its not so much that she wants her kid to dance early, SHE just wants to ask me like 5 or 6 questions... Does she not understand that I'm trying to get prepared for her daughters class? No exaggeration its every week...When are you going to allow parent watching time? Are her shoes tied ok? Is her hair back ok? What do you want me to bring for their party? Did you pick the recital music yet? Will the costume be pretty?... Goodness Lady, calm down.

Dancertonite...Don't you just love new parents. They are so ready to please that they go overboard at times. I think they are just so excited about everything their kid is doing and want every experience to be perfect...what I have found is it is these parents that will do anything for you if you need help with something, while parents of older dancers are difficult to get to volunteer for anything. So while they can drive me crazy as well, I know I can count on them for help if needed, so it evens the balance.

Oh, let's see, what would my responses be?

"Why can't my child advance? She wants to be in class with her friends!"

I'm concerned about her getting frustrated with the work and not liking ballet anymore. She's a lovely dancer and she loves ballet, but [the SO] and I both think that that class is just going to be too difficult for her right now, and we're afraid that the difficulty will suck all the fun out of it for her. The other girls in her class seem to be welcoming her very nicely and please let her know that if there is a problem with them not being friendly to please tell me. If you like, I can give her some things she needs to work on in order to be ready for that class and if she still wants to move after we come back from Christmas break, we can evaluate her again and see if she's ready for it. (And usually by then everything is fine and the child has settled into the class she was placed in nicely.)

Why do the students here have to wear a uniform? Where we studied before the children could participate wearing whatever!"

Leotards and tights are what we wear for dance. These are clothes made specifically for dancing in. They allow the teacher to see the body and be sure that the correct muscle groups are being used and that placement is right. And everyone wearing the same thing means that clothing is not going to be distracting.

Why do you make the students wait until their scheduled class time to come into the studio? Why not let them come in the studio to dance around?

I actually do let my first class run around a bit before time for class. They come to me straight from school on the bus and they just need to get some of that energy out. It's also good incentive for them to get dressed quickly because once it's time for class, that opportunity is gone. Other than that, nobody's tried to send their kid into a class they're not enrolled in, at least not on purpose. If they did, I'd treat it like it was a mistake and explain it to them that way, and if they kept sending the child in, I'd just invite her to sit and watch while the current class continues.

i_teach_babies - If it were me and parents were sending me kids 30-45 minutes early, first I'd go to the parents and make sure they know what time class actually starts. And if they keep doing it anyway, talk to the studio owner about sending home a note asking them not to do this and that beginning next week the studio will not be open for this and to call the SO with any questions or concerns. I have a couple of parents who will bring each other's kids to class when one or the other of them has to work or is sick. These things can be arranged.

I really hate it when they ask me questions about money. I don't know! I don't handle the money! I'm just here to teach.