Comparing Your Child to Others

Mistake #3

Parents comparing their child to other children in the class

Just as every child is different, so are each child’s needs. Likewise, each little individual’s response to joining a dance class is different too. Some children need their mum's presence a bit longer than others, while some take time to emerge from their shells. Some children have good grasping power, while others need a lot of practice.

Often the class is filled with children who are further along the dance journey, their ability, enthusiasm and confidence may be much higher.

Each child has a unique set of needs that are to be met, they each have different reasons for being there and each child progresses at different rates even if they experience the exact same training. The most valuable thing that a parent can do is to let go of any expectations that may be projected onto the child.

In an attempt to get children ahead of their peers, parents try to equip them with as many skills as possible to compete or ‘get ahead’. This unconsciously rushes childhood. By recognising that childhood gets too serious too quickly and to hold space to let children be themselves is tremendously crucial.

At Big Steps Little Feet, we do not compare, or ask children to be the best version of themselves, we love, welcome and accept them just as they as they are - we simply assist each child to develop a little more knowingness each week.

Our 5 step method takes the children from the initial assessment through a program where technique and creativity are intuitively pitched to the level and needs of the children in the class. They move through a variety of experiences that validate, the pinnacle of which is the end of year concert and finally we transition the children into the next phase of the performing arts journey. Generally, in our community there is a desire to step-up the level hoping that they will gain more, but we believe in thoroughly mastering each stage, rather than rocketing to the end result.

As the children move through our methodology, they also move through the social stages of being the baby, the middle child and eldest members of the class. The success of our classes can be witnessed when children move through these social stages and most importantly get to leader status.

Here they have an opportunity to give back to the younger members in their class, having a profound affect on their childhood development.

We all want children to eventually master a skill. From being mini masters of their developmental stage they graduate to leading the group and then eventually giving back to the new or younger members in the class. A close knit community of helpful friends is thus established.

Encouraging friendships, rather than differences is the key.

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