The Young Dancers Program

Philosophy
The Young Dancer's program is designed to promote body awareness, confidence, sociability and early friendship bonds among young children. The class helps to develop an appreciation of movement and music as it affects the growing spirit inside each child. Individuality and unique personalities are encouraged, while teaching the behavior and etiquette that is appropriate in a dance class setting.

Dance Imagination
Our priority is to inspire each student to experience the joy of dance. In learning the beginnings of basic dance technique, children will develop good alignment, coordination, elongation and strengthening of the torso and limbs. Dance vocabulary and locomotion skills are introduced while exploring directions, patterns and movement shapes. The class also allows for unstructured free dance to explore individual movement. Students learn to control and use different energies in dance, high energies as well as soothing relaxed energies. Through dance, young people develop body awareness, agility, musicality, creative thinking, analytical skills and self-confidence.

Combo Classes: Hip Hop & Tap and Hip Hop & Jazz
This class is designed for the child who is ready for a more structured dance class experience. The combo classes both require a certain level of mental concentration and physical coordination as well a more disciplined classroom environment. Keep this in mind when deciding between Dance Imagination and the Combo Class for your five or six year old.

Age Requirements
Because of the desired goals of the Danceimagination program class sizes are limited to ten children for the three year old classes and twelve for our four to six year old classes. We have found it is in the best interest of the child and the class to adhere to the age requirements of each class. Students must already be the age listed before enrolling in the class.

Before Class
We strive to begin and finish classes on time. It is extremely important that students arrive on time and ready to leave their parents at the door. Rushing in at the last moment can be a rough transition for the little one’s to make. Having time for the teacher to greet each child as they enter the studio can ease the transition and help the teacher to determine moods, energy levels and overall readiness. Arriving too early creates anticipation and may make separating from the parent more difficult. Fifteen minutes is plenty of time to change, use the bathroom, and exchange proper greetings. We understand that children may have attachments to a special item or toy. We request that these items be left at home or in the car. Personal items are not allowed in the studio unless the teacher has made a special request for children to bring something from home. Please make sure your child has had some nourishment prior to class. Hunger can be a detriment to a child’s ability to focus.

Studio Etiquette
The Casco Bay Movers’ Staff and teachers are very sensitive to the fact that Danceimagination may be your child’s first experience with separation from parents for an activity designed solely for them. We encourage our young dancers to enter the studio ready and willing to leave parents in the lobby and enter the world of creativity and spontaneity on their own. The ultimate goal is for each child to be inside the classroom for the entire length of class with the door closed and without tears. For some children and their parents, this may mean there is an adjustment period of perhaps one or two classes. For the sake of our students, we try to conduct the class with a closed door. Entering and leaving the room during class time is disruptive and makes it difficult for children to focus. If your child is not ready to participate, it is fine to leave and try the next session. Our Danceimagination classroom does have a viewing window, where parents may take an occasional peek at the class in progress. However, hovering at the viewing window or at the door distracts the class as a whole and can create a difficult situation for the teacher to cope with. Greeting your child with a smile and a hug after class gives them the security and encouragement they need to return each week.

Attire
You will want to dress your child in clothing that is comfortable to them. They can be as beautiful or sporty as they like (leotards, footless tights, T-shirts, sweatpants), anything loose fitting that allows full range of motion (no jeans). Clothing that is too small or straps that fall down are distracting. Dancing bare-foot is best, socks and tights with feet are too slippery and hazardous. Hair should be pulled back off the face.

Make-Ups
Due to the structure and limited size of the classes we cannot allow children to make up missed classes. We schedule a general make up class once a year at the end of March (date and time to be announced).

Performance
Twice a year at the end of our fall and winter sessions, parents and guests are invited into the classroom to view the entire class. “Peek Week” is designed to give dancers a chance to share their experience and is conducted as a normal class. Guests are welcome to bring cameras and video equipment to this class. Children age 4-7, enrolled in the srping trimester of our Young Dancer's program will be given the opportunity to perform in our Spring Dance Concert at Merrill Auditorium the third weekend in June. Costumes will be appropriate and reasonably priced. More information about this opportunity will be distributed at a later date.

Tuition & Enrollment
The Young Dancer's program consists of three trimesters, 14 or 15 weeks in the fall and 12 weeks each winter and spring. We understand that many schedules change for kids and their families, preventing students from enrolling for the entire school year. With students coming and going, our job becomes more difficult as we try to keep a steady pace for the students who do stay for the year. We choose not to obligate anyone to enroll for the full year although we do encourage it. The benefits are much greater when a child can participate in the entire syllabus which is carefully planned and designed with a particular progression and objective. Pre-registration is highly encouraged. Class sizes are limited and admission is on first come, first serve basis. The cost of each trimester is at the same rate as our children and teen program. Payment for the trimester must be paid in full by the first class (see our brochure for deposit amounts and deadlines). Classes cannot be paid for on a “per class” basis. There are no refunds once the class has begun.

Let us Know
We live in a complex and ever-changing world. We understand that families today face a number of challenges in child-rearing. We encourage you to share any changes in your child’s daily life that may affect his/her behavior and ability to focus. Sharing these changes with your child’s teacher makes a big difference in their ability to effectively interact with your child inside the classroom. Please be assured that privacy issues are held in high regard and sensitive issues will be held in strictest confidence.

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