HELP! My child suddenly wants to quit dance!

written by Tylene Nichols: Director of Centre Stage Dance Studio, B.A.S. Marriage and Family Therapy

Your child used to be so excited to go to dance every week, and now they are saying they don’t want to go anymore. What is the deal?!

You are not alone! It is perfectly normal and common for younger children to lose interest in activities after only a few weeks or months. Every child goes through this at some point after the initial novelty wears off of a new commitment!

It’s most likely only a phase. Children, especially pre-schoolers, are still getting used to new routines. Some go through phases of separation anxiety, some will say they never want to come again. 99% of the time, after a few minutes in class after their parents drop off they are adjusted and having a great time dancing around again. Be strong- this too shall pass!

Sometimes there may be something else that is stopping them from wanting to come to dance. Are they hungry? Are they tired? Do they have to stop watching their favorite movie to go to dance? Do they feel like they are missing out on something at home while they are gone? Take all of these into consideration when finding the best solution for your child.

We are here to help. Remember that you are not alone. We’ve got your back. Our teachers are very familiar with the phases and stages of our little dancers, and we are experts in our craft. We want the kids to be excited to dance and also reduce your stress about the situation.

Here are some helpful tips we have given to parents that will help you get through this phase.

1. Breathe! This is the best place to start. When you are stressed, your child will feel that too, causing your little one to feel anxious during class.
2. Be encouraging. Your child wants to know that you love them, no matter what. Many times, a little dancer is afraid of failing and YOU are their safe space. Encouraging your dancer (without bartering!) will lead to a more confident student in the classroom.
3. Be the student! Children LOVE being the teacher. Ask your child to teach them some ballet moves they have been working on, or to teach you the dance routine. Kids will feel more secure when you are giving them the opportunity to be the teacher.
4. Be consistent. Make sure you arrive to class 5-10 minutes early to help your child get adjusted. They can use the bathroom, put their things away, and be all ready for class without the need to rush. The more consistently your child attends class, the more they will be familiarized with the routine
5. Stay strong. Remember that you are the parent and your child does not make the decisions. No matter how old a child is, they all go through phases of challenging their parents. We are teaching our dancers that hard work brings results. By teaching your child to continue working on hard things, they will grow into strong and resilient adults.

An important thing to know is that sometimes, dance just is not the answer. As the parent, you make the decisions about what is going to be best for your child and we will support and respect the decisions you make. Your dance teachers are here to support all students who come into our doors to give them confidence, self esteem, and a solid foundation to grow.

Here at Centre Stage, we believe it is more important to build a good person that it is to build a good dancer. It is not easy, but it is definitely worth it.