Here are some various ways to get students motivated. To send in your own tips and ideas, please send an email to Abby at
PrincipalDancer@hotmail.com and your submission will be posted at the next site update.
Younger dance students are virtually always enthusiastic about coming to class, and it shouldn't take much to help them enjoy what they're doing. However, even the little ones get bored with technique. Here are some suggestions to letting them enjoy classical technique.
Have a splits contest, and offer various prizes. For those who can complete a split, reward them with something grander, but be sure to award prizes for all who attempt the splits.
Give hand stamps at the end of class in colorful ink may be old fashioned, but it works just the same.
Hold a skills test after a few weeks of teaching new material and get some extra teachers to help you evaluate your students. Have them complete some basic poses and steps, and with a checklist, mark what they should work on, and write down good comments. At the end, award ribbons to all who participate; perhaps blue, red, and white.
Give a dancer of the week award. Put up a poster in the lobby or in the studio displaying the names of one dancer who excelled that week in effort and quality of dance. Reward them with a ribbon, gift certificate, trophy or anything else to congratulate them.
Advice from other teachers
To motivate my young dancers, I have a "princess" who is leader for that class. I rotate who is princess weekly and she gets to wear a pretty crown of flowers, beads and ribbons. It makes the dancer feel special and you should see the increase in pride and elegance in her steps as she "leads" the class!
Suzanne M. Schiappacasse
Director of Dance
Michigan Christian Academy
Mt. Clemens, MI
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