Dance Class
Last night, Abby, our soon to be 3-year old, began Preschool Ballet, Level I. Preschool Ballet is offered through our city's Parks and Recreation Department and I signed Abby up for class with the intention that maybe it would help her channel some of her boundless energy. Parents were allowed to observe the class for th first night. There were about 12 young girls in the class ranging from ages 3 to 5 (Abby will be three very soon in February), and most of them with blond hair and pink leotards and shoes like Abby's. The teacher introduced herself and met the girls. She led them through a series of positions and moves. Abby did well some of the time, but I began to have some doubts when she didn't want to sit still on line on the floor with the other dancers. (The instructor addressed them all during the class as "Dancers." Very seriously.) At this point, the instructor told Abby that she would have to talk with her after class with her and her mom (me). At this point, I was thinking the conversation would go like "I'd like have Parks and Rec credit your account, Ms. Zoetewey, toward a class a bit later in the year, as I don't think Abby's ready..."

Actually it didn't.

The instructor was very kind and told me "dont' worry, I've had some younger ones in classes like yours, it's just that it's so new to her right now and she'll do just fine, we'll see you at the next class." I assured the teacher we would be working on things at home with her, and that she was pretty used to being in a structured environment at daycare. The difference is that between daycare and ballet class, there are no time outs at ballet class, like there are at daycare, and I think that was difficult for her to grasp at first. She'll get it eventually. We'll keep coaching her on it, that she must follow instructions and listen to the teacher.

Overall, I think Abby will enjoy it, once she gets the hang of things and sees the other kids following what the teacher needs them to do. Kind of like positive peer pressure. We'll be heading back for the next class.

Upon arriving home, Abby said "I want go to ballet class tomorrow again," and despite my best efforts couldn't understand why it wasn't going to happen for another couple of weeks yet.
- posted by Kristen @ 1/13/2004 08:06:00 PM