Building Confidence in Young Dancers: Dance Studio Experts' Top Tips

Create a Supportive Environment

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Leinster School of Dance are big on setting the scene for their young dancers and are always striving to create a supportive environment for their students, starting the day that they set foot in the studio space:  

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[.pink__text]“I want students to feel happy and safe attending classes, like it’s an escape from anything else going on. I do this by supporting them when they need it, encouraging them always, and fostering a kind and comfortable environment.” - Shauna, owner and principal of Leinster School of Dance.[.pink__text]

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The atmosphere of the studio sets the tone for each class, impacting how students think of themselves and their abilities. Creating a judgment-free space where students feel safe to explore and express themselves is crucial. Why? Because when dancers feel accepted and supported, they are more likely to take risks and push past their comfort zones, leading to personal growth and increased confidence.

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Encourage Peer Support

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Peer support plays a crucial role in boosting individual confidence levels and is great for creating a kind and supportive space. As dancers, knowing that they have a team cheering them on fosters a sense of security and emboldens dancers to embrace new opportunities with confidence. As they celebrate each other's successes and provide encouragement during setbacks, the bonds formed among peers become a source of strength and resilience for every dancer at your dance studio.  

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[.blue__text]TOP TIP: Through group activities such as team challenges, collaborative choreography projects, and partner exercises, students develop teamwork skills and forge bonds of camaraderie. These shared experiences not only strengthen relationships but also instil a sense of belonging and acceptance among dancers. [.blue__text]

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Dance Inc. Studios are masters at making every dancer feel invited into the group. How? They use the “Buddy system”. This means that any new student at the studio will be paired up with a buddy who has been at the studio for some time and knows the structure. Having a buddy system in place means that the new child will feel welcomed and will have a friend to chat to.  

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[.green__text]“If they are shy and maybe don’t want to speak out in front of the class to ask questions, a buddy gives them another point of contact to go to. They will also be integrated into the friendships in the class a lot quicker and be able to create relationships of their own. “ - Caitlin, Studio manager at Dance Inc. Studios.[.green__text]

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Set Achievable Goals

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Setting achievable goals is a cornerstone of confidence-building in young dancers. When goals are realistic and within reach, dancers experience a sense of accomplishment with each milestone achieved, fuelling their confidence and motivation.

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Short-term goals provide immediate targets for improvement, like mastering a specific technique or perfecting a routine section. Long-term goals, on the other hand, encompass broader aspirations, like performing in a recital or competing at a higher level.  

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By setting a mix of short-term and long-term goals tailored to each dancer's abilities and aspirations, instructors empower their students to strive for excellence while building confidence in their abilities to reach their goals.

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Create a Sense of Belonging

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At Dance Inc. Studios, they are keen to create a sense of belonging and community that every student is a valued part of. The more valued and important you can make a student feel, the greater their confidence will be. A simple way to make kids feel seen, is to make sure dance teachers remember and use the children’s names. Something as simple as a greeting including their name makes the student feel important.

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[.orange__text]“The general rule that we use is to say the student’s name at least 5 times over the course of them being in class – once when they arrive, 3 times throughout the class and once to say bye. This is of course just a guideline, however if we make the effort to make each child feel included, they are only going to continue to grow.” - Caitlin, Studio Manager at Dance Inc. Studios.[.orange__text]

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At Leinster School of Dance, there is a special emphasis put on welcoming all children no matter their ability level. Whether students are complete beginners or have been dancing for years, the dance school has created a sense of belonging for everyone by using inclusive language and making sure that interested parents know that they try to be as inclusive as they can be.

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Be Positive

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As dance teachers, it can be easy to get caught up in choreography, lines, formation, cleanliness – the list goes on! It can be easy to focus on improvements and forget to let young dancers know how well they’re doing or express how much they have achieved, but it’s important to make praise a priority in class. Dance Inc. Studios include lots of praise for their young dancers in class. A positive note from a beloved teacher goes a long way in building the children’s confidence, so make sure to include praise in class. Even a quick “Great job class!” can help.  

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Introducing affirmations such as "I am strong," "I am capable," and "I believe in myself" can help students overcome self-doubt and embrace their potential. Try encouraging your dance instructors to integrate affirmations into daily routines, whether during warm-ups, rehearsals, or before performances. By consistently reinforcing positive self-talk, instructors empower dancers to cultivate a resilient and confident attitude both on and off the dance floor.

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Implementing rewards such as "Dancer of the Week" recognises and celebrates individual achievements, fostering a sense of pride and accomplishment in young dancers. Positive reinforcement not only boosts confidence but also encourages continued effort and dedication, inspiring students to always strive for excellence in their dance journey. This is something Dance Inc. Studios know well, which is why they love giving out prizes, praise and smiles as often as possible.  

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[.pink__text]“Little things go a long way – stickers, certificates, rewards! With younger students especially, these will leave them happy and smiling leaving your classes.” - Caitlin, Studio Manager at Dance Inc. Studios.[.pink__text]

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With the ClassForKids dance booking and management software, you can easily use our awards feature to reward and encourage your young dancers. Get a free demo of our award-winning dance system to see how we can help your dance school grow!

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