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.

We know one thing for sure. Regardless if it is via zoom, watching recorded videos, in a parking lot, OR in-person at the studio; the arts STILL matter. It is more important than ever for kids to have an artistic outlet. Our dance classes are able to fill some of the gaps that children are feeling as they adjust to their new reality. 

Sick of changing news updates and disappointing cancellations? Today on the blog we are highlighting some of the things that you can ALWAYS count on at Dance Unlimited. Here are 4 things that haven’t changed through all of the shifts we’ve made over the past few months: 

1. Our students still get a creative outlet!

There is a reason why this is number one on our list! Creative expression has always been at the forefront of everything we do, but we know it is especially important during a scary and stressful time.

In-person OR online, we strive to give kids a fun outlet that breaks them out of their shells! We’ve been watching our students dance their hearts out in their living rooms. They may not have a mirror or dance floor, but their joy and creativity have not gone anywhere! 

2. Our dance classes give kids consistency and structure that they look forward to each week!

Before quarantine, your children were used to a schedule. They went to school, they went to dance, and they enjoyed family fun on the weekends. During a time when all normalcy and stability seem to have disappeared, we are proud to provide a consistent activity that you are able to pencil in. 

Our virtual dance classes on Zoom were built-in fun for your long days at home. When our dancers’ faces pop on the screen, we watch their smiles fly! They have adapted to our new classroom setting SO well and are ready for class each and every week. And we are ready to teach them, no matter what the world throws at us! 

3. Dance classes help kids feel connected to their peers and community.

Since we opened our studio 20 years ago, our classes have never been just about the dance steps. They are about building community. Ask any of our teachers and they will tell you that dance friends become best friends. 

Our online dance classes have been a source of social interaction and personal connection during a time when we were ALL lacking it! We LIVED for the times on Zoom when we called on a student and they just burst with stories and life updates! Waving to their friends and getting personal attention from their teacher was SO valuable. They are ready to continue building on the connections they’ve made as we transition back into the studio!

 4. As always, the show must go on!

This is something we say to our kids ALL year-round. During class, we constantly remind them that if you forget your dance on-stage, you bounce back and KEEP dancing. If your hairpiece falls off, you keep dancing! And when a pandemic hits the entire world, you guessed it, KEEP dancing!

We’ve loved having the opportunity to teach our kids this lesson in real-time. We didn’t stop teaching, and they didn’t stop dancing. We hope they remember to be this resilient the next time life throws them a curveball!

As you can see, we truly believe in the power of dance, now more than ever! The arts will ALWAYS matter, and Dance Unlimited will ALWAYS be here serving our community. 

To our dedicated DU parents, thank you SO much for your continued support. Thank you for always being there for your young artist. Seeing our dancers’ faces at our recent costume parade was a wonderful reminder of why we do what we do. The arts are worth fighting for. 

Let’s continue to close out our 20th season stronger than ever!! We can’t wait to welcome you back to our studio home! 

ps. Are you a NEW dance family looking to join us? Priority registration for the 2020/2021 school year is OPEN to new families! Register HERE. 

The post You Can You Can Count on DU: The Arts STILL Matter and our Programs are STILL Here for You! appeared first on Dance Unlimited, LLC.