When you sign your child up for an activity, you always want them to have them to have the best possible experience. As a parent, it can be stressful making sure your child has everything they need. But here at DU, we want our dance parents to feel a sense of ease. We’ve got you! 

So below, you’ll find a few lists of tips, tricks, and reminders for an awesome year. We hope they are helpful!  

Tips for Making the Most out of Your Child’s Class Time:

• Have your child’s shoes ready to go and tuck in their ballet shoe drawstrings. Having to stop and tie those little guys can be a huge distraction during class! Not to mention a safety hazard if they are too long!
• Take your child to the restroom before class. Our classes are jam packed with rich material and every minute counts! Avoid missing out for potty breaks. 
• Give your child a snack before class and bring a water bottle. Our afternoon/evening classes are often near dinner time, so naturally your child’s tummy may be close to empty. Learning is hard when you’re not fueled properly! 
• Tie your child’s hair up tightly. If their hair is in their face, they are often distracted by playing with it.  If their hair is falling out or down, it also becomes a safety issue when they are dancing.  
• Make sure your child is in dress code. By being in the proper attire, you’re ensuring that your child’s instructor can see their body correctly. In addition, it helps build a sense of pride, confidence, and community in class! Click here to view our dress code requirements.
• Encourage your child to practice and review at home. The more our class content and routines are reinforced at home, the more valuable their class time becomes. They’ll be able to really sink in all the notes and corrections their teachers give them because they won’t be worried about what step comes next! 

Tips for a great year, beyond just in class: 

• Stock up on extra dancewear. Tights inevitably will snag throughout the year and it’s always nice to have a few leotards to wear when one gets dirty. Lucky for our dance parents, we make it really easy to buy the correct dancewear that follows our dress code. Just visit the lobby where we have a full line of leotard, tights and shoes or click here to visit our Page on Discount Dance Supply’s online store. 
• Follow us on social media and check your email often to stay in the loop. Click here to follow us on Facebook and click here to access our instagram profile. You might even see your child make an appearance! But all important information is always sent via email, so don’t forget to keep an eye on your inbox as well. 
• Put all important dates in your calendar. You can reference your Calendar magnet you received at the first day of class or View our event calendar here and pencil it all in so nothing sneaks up on you!    
• Get to know the other parents. Our dance family is supportive and welcoming. We’re so glad to have you! 
• Let your child know you are their biggest fan. Being your child’s support system is the most important thing you can do for your child as a dance parent. Celebrate their successes and give them pep talks when they face challenges. Avoid comparisons or pressure to be “perfect” in class. With your love and support, your child’s confidence will soar! 

We can’t wait to watch all of our students flourish in class and on stage. We hope that dancing with us is the best decision you make for your child this year! On top of that, we hope that it’s easy, stress free, and meaningful for you too! 

The post Back to Dance Survival Kit appeared first on Dance Unlimited, LLC.

Now that school has started and fall sports are wrapping up… it could be the perfect time for your child to pick up a dance class! Whether your child is brand new to dance, or you’re joining back in after some time away from the studio, we welcome you to check our 2020/2021 Dance Schedule!

Today we are sharing some of our time-tested tips for easing back into dance this school year. Many of our dancers are returning to the studio after months at home, and many of them are building their dance skills for the first time. Whatever the circumstance, it is important for our dance families to practice self-care and patience while returning to the studio!

4 Tips for Easing Back Into Fall Dance Classes:

1. Create a weekly routine and post it somewhere at home

Growing up as a young dancer, it was always SO exciting to sit down with mom, pick out dance classes for the year, and choose what other fun activities to sign up for. When kids take an active role in picking their own activities, they are more likely to be excited about their schedule and committing to a new routine!

Penciling in your child’s dance classes on your family calendar, or even allowing them to create their own calendar is a great way to ease into Fall. Put it up on your fridge or in your child’s bedroom, serving as a daily reminder of their weekly routine! 

2. Establish a consistent bedtime routine

This is something that always gets a little relaxed in the summer when kids don’t have school, but it is SO important once their days get busy again. Heading to bed at the same time each night and encouraging screen-free time to wind down will make all the difference this Fall!

P.S. This one isn’t just for the kiddos! Parents, we know this time of year is busy for YOU too! One of the best self-care tasks you can do for yourself is prioritizing your sleep. Put those phones down and catch some well-deserved Zs! 

3. Stretch at home

This one is important for ALL of our dancers, but especially for those who have had months off of dance during the summer months or during quarantine. Jumping in with no time to recondition your body will be shocking for those tight muscles, causing soreness and stiffness that no dancer ever wants! 

We encourage our dancers to take 5-10 minutes at home, a couple days each week to stretch out. Taking some time to stretch before and after heading to class is also a great way to reduce the risk of injury as you ease back into dance. 

4. Don’t forget to pencil in some down-time! 

As your child’s schedule gets busier and activities are finally happening after months of cancellations, it’s easy to want to do it ALL! But without taking breaks, burnout and exhaustion becomes likely. Use the weekend to recharge and be sure to encourage your child to rest! This will make their new dance schedule sustainable, bringing them joy ALL year round! 

We hope this list helps our dance families ease back into our awesome Fall Dance Classes. We are aiming for no stress, and all smiles this Fall after a chaotic end to last year! 

It’s not too late to join us as we return to dance for our 2020/2021 Season! We still have openings in select classes. Check out our class schedule and register online today! 

The post 4 Tips to Ease Back Into The Dance Year appeared first on Dance Unlimited, LLC.

With uncertainty about schools, daycare, and activities, we know our dance parents have a lot of difficult decisions ahead. As we prepare to open up our doors for another season of spectacular dance classes in Augusta, one thing is becoming very clear: preparation is key. Things will look a little different for our kids this Fall, but with preparation and clear guidelines, we are confident that our children can adapt!

Preparing for a safe return to dance classes is our top priority. Our dance floors have been taped off into socially distant personal squares for each dancer to move within. Class sizes are now smaller to allow for proper distancing. We are staying 6-feet away from our students and reminding them to use hand sanitizer often. Our facilities are cleaner and more organized than ever before so every child knows exactly how to stay safe. 

We couldn’t work ANY of our magic without the continued support of our fabulous dance parents. Today on the blog, we are sharing what YOU can do to help your child stay safe this fall. 

How to Prepare Your Child for a Safe Return to Dance: 

1. Teach Your Child about Germs and Best Hygiene Practices

This one is especially important for our tiniest dancers! It’s never too early to teach them about germs and how they are spread. Reminding your child to cover their mouth when coughing and sneezing, showing them how to properly wash their hands, and telling them to keep their hands away from their mouth/face goes a long way when returning to dance classes! 

2. Practice Social Distancing At Home

Amongst our teachers at Dance Unlimited, we often joke about how dancers have been “preparing” for a socially distant lifestyle for the entirety of their training! It’s true, dancers are EXPERTS at spatial awareness and maintaining spacing while moving through the room. 

Show your child what 6 feet looks like. Ask them to place their stuffed animals 6 feet apart and teach them some dance moves. Skip across your backyard while staying socially distant. Most importantly, show them how to speak to others without breaking that 6-foot barrier. All of this will help them feel confident and comfortable heading back to dance. 

3. Send Your Child to The Studio Ready To Go!

Prior to COVID-19 craziness, our dance families were always welcome to use our dressing rooms to change into dance clothes and store their belongings. However, to reduce the number of shared surfaces and germ spreading, the more you can show up completely ready to go, the better.

If your child is enrolled in just one class, we ask that you come to the studio fully dressed with nothing but essential items. For all other students, pack your dance bag with shoes and water only. Be sure to eat your snacks before entering our space and come prepared and on-time to class! 

4. Staying Positive During This Uncertain Time!

Parents are the most important impact on a child’s attitude and readiness to adapt to new circumstances. We love our dance parents and are SO thankful for your continued support of your child and our studio. We know you have a lot on your plate right now. Reminding yourself to stay positive and excited for what’s ahead while in front of your child may be difficult during stressful times, but we know it will go a long way once your child heads into class! 

We are SO excited for another great year of dance classes in Augusta. If you’re ready for a safe, fun, and socially distant return to dance, be sure to check out our Fall Dance Schedule. With smaller class sizes, don’t forget to save your child’s spot and register today!  

Once again, the safety of our dance families and staff is our number one priority. We are thankful for the opportunity to continue dancing and we are committed to doing so safely. We can’t wait for a great year!

The post Preparing for a Safe Return to Dance: What WE’RE Doing and What YOU Can Do To Help appeared first on Dance Unlimited, LLC.