I have a creative movement class for a recreational program. There are only 6 girls in the class and its in a room with a small dance floor and then behind the dance floor there are couchs where all of there moms hang out during class. Well I have tried everything to keep the girls engaged but can only keep them engaged for about 15 mins. when its time to do our dance which is cute with a lot of actions to the song they just run around or run to their mom. I dont know whatelse I can do. I teach on a military base, and I think a lot has to do with seperation anxiety, with many of their parents in and out of their lifes as they are often deployed

Are you using props? Do you use a tumbling mat at all? That could eat up some time if you aren't using them yet.

Just keep gently reminding the parents to instruct their children on the rules of the class as well. It's nice that they get to view class, but seems like them being there (and probably talking themselves) is distracting the kids too much. Again, gently remind the parents that they must remain quiet during the class-turning off phones/texts etc...

I have a few songs by the Relax Kids. They talk you through imaginative dance and the kids can be a Princess, a Swan, etc...If you download them from iTunes, just be careful that you listen to the whole snipit...On one of the CD's the tracks and names do not match up. I forget which one though...

Also, keep in mind that their own attention spans are not developed yet. Keep songs to 30 seconds and keep changing!! As soon as you see them start to lose it, change songs...

Good Luck-Hope that helps a bit.

Is there anyway at all to get those couches out of there?!?!? or at least politely ask the moms not to stay?

I have never had much success with classes that parents watch especially with really young ones!

If the parents are going to have to be there why not find a way to incorporate them into the class. It would be better to have the parents participating than distracting the kids! Otherwise I think you have to move the Mom's out!

Ask the mom's to leave but set aside 10 or so minutes at the end of each class, or the end of the month or whatever you are comfortable with so that they can watch their kids perform for them. Explain to the parents that students often learn better with little distraction and assure them that they will be amazed at their child's progress the next time they get to see them!

Props really help! Give them scarves and just let them move. Use a slow song and a fast song and ask them to move like the music.

Bribes such as stickers and candy also works!!

Also tumbling really helps! Crab walks, elephant walks, log rolls, etc.

If at all possible, get the moms out of the room, or put up screens so they can't be seen. Seriously, even for dealing with separation anxiety, it's better with the parents out of sight. Once you get them engaged in class, they forget all about it and are fine, 99 times out of 100.

This is a tough one! I love to get parents and kids moving together. If the parents are up for it, it creates a wonderful bonding experience, encourages non-verbal communication and gives the parents ideas that they can do at home.

If the goal of the class is not to incorporate parent, child interactions, then I suggest either moving the couch outside the room. I find the quickest and most effective way to help in separation anxiety is a quick goodbye and off into the "magical dance space." Make the space very special.

Another idea I use is painter's tape which I use to create a box on the floor and tell the kids that this is our movement space and they can not move outside of it.

Defining the space can be very helpful.

Let me know how it goes!

leapinglegs.com
Stacey