As a parent, you want to provide your child with the best opportunities to explore their interests and develop new skills. One activity that many children are drawn to is dance💃🏾. Not only does it promote physical fitness, but it also encourages creativity and self-expression. So let's dive in and discover the exciting world of dance together!

CHOOSING THE RIGHT DANCE STYLE FOR YOUR CHILD

When it comes to choosing the right dance style for your child, there are several factors to consider. It's important to find a style that matches their personality and preferences. Below are three styles you can start off with

1. 🩰Ballet is a graceful and beautiful dance that requires precision and strength. It can be a great foundation for other dance styles and often includes performance opportunities. However, ballet tends to be more structured than other types of dance and requires dedication.

   2. 🎷Jazz is a high-energy style with big movements, making it perfect for kids who love to perform and have big personalities. Jazz dancing is diverse and can cover a range of styles, from slow and modern to Broadway-style routines. While jazz dancing can be improvised, it also requires technical skill that takes time to master.

   3. 🥁Hip-Hop is a fun and inventive dance style to explore for kids who enjoy popular music and improvisation. It involves freestyle movements and is often done to popular music. Starting with basic moves, children can develop their skills and creativity in hip-hop dance.

When choosing a dance style for your child, it's important to consider their interests and natural abilities. It may also be beneficial to start with a more structured dance style like ballet, as it provides a strong foundation for other dance styles.

WHAT TOMEXPECT IN YOUR CHILD’S FIRST DANCE CLASS

Taking your child to their first dance class is an exciting and memorable moment for both parents and children. However, it can also be nerve-wracking, especially if it's the first activity your child will participate in without you by their side. At Dance on Kee Studios, we understand these feelings and want to make the transition as smooth as possible for you and your little dancer.

Tips: Prepare for Day One of Class

• Ensure that your child looks the part. Check out the dress code🩰 early so that you have time to purchase the appropriate attire. When your child feels confident and looks like a dancer, it can boost their self-esteem on their first day.

• 🚫 Avoid Distractions. Make sure to tie ballet shoe laces tightly and tuck in the elastic to prevent distractions during class. For tap shoes, opt for elastics or buckle straps instead of ribbons. Loose laces and ribbons can not only distract your child but also pose a safety hazard.

• Separation anxiety and shyness are common on the first day of dance class. To ease these feelings, plan your "goodbye" routine ahead of time. This can involve a special hug🤗, a secret handshake🤝, or a comforting phrase that reassures your child that you'll be back to pick them up. By establishing this routine, you can help your child feel more secure and confident in their new environment.

• Encourage your child to have fun and make new friends👧🏾👧🏾 in dance class. It's important to be patient and supportive as your child adjusts to the new routine and environment.

• Communication is key🔑. Don’t hesitate to reach out with any concerns or questions you may have. Remember, dance is a journey, and progress takes time. Celebrate🎉 each milestone and enjoy the experience with your child.

Remember to trust your instincts and listen to your child's interests and preferences when selecting the best dance class for their needs.

Dance is a wonderful way for your child to express themselves, stay active, and develop important skills. So go ahead and take that first step towards a lifetime of joy and fulfillment in the world of dance!

Have you ever had a creative roadblock? How about having one in the middle of completing a task? It sucks, don’t it?! As creative as we are, you would think that we would find ways to snap back quickly, but that does not always happen. In my experience, having such a creative background in both dance and fashion, your creativity can sometimes drain you. However, there are some strategies that can help you slide back into your creative zone, and I have a few tips for you.

TAKE A BREAK!

Yeah, I know you are working so hard, but take a break! Breaks are always needed to regroup yourself. When I am dancing and coming up with new choreography, I typically change the song or go for a ride. I won’t lie to you all, some of my best choreography come from sitting behind the wheel and driving. (Don’t ask because I can’t explain it. It’s just a dancer thing lol). The break is needed sometimes to take your creativity to the next level. Find that positive activity that will regroup you whether it is getting a bite to eat, reading a book (my new favorite thing to do) or simply watching a movie. It will declutter your thoughts and help clear your creative path. If you are in school and a roadblock happens, ask your teacher if it is ok to take a restroom break. It will truly help!

MUSIC INSPIRES

“Come on baby light my fire. Everything you drop is so tired. Music is supposed to inspire. So how come we ain’t getting no higher...”- Lauryn Hill.

Music is supposed to inspire you and it changes your spirit too. When I am stuck and planning out an entire show, I will play music to clear my mind. One of my favorite songs right now is Shades by Twelve ft Naama. It talks about the beauty of my brown skin tone and how it’s just like the Most High who dwells in heaven. This song puts me back into the best mood and settles my chaotic mind of creativity.  When you hit that roadblock in your creativity, listen to music that inspires you and uplifts you. It will take you to another level and unblock that blockage. Remember creativity will drain you, so you must replenish.  

CLEAN UP!

Now, I know you are probably looking crossed-eyed, but cleaning does more than physically straighten up your space. It clears your mind, your spirit, and your soul too. When I was working for a lifestyle brand, people thought it was simple to put trendy outfit inspirations together and prepare the items for a fashion shoot. Let’s say about 30 looks! Well, let me tell you this, it’s fun, but frustration comes with things you like to do too. And when I got frustrated, my workspace was unorganized (which I hate!). If you are anything like me, my space is an example of my creativity level for the day. So, declutter and release that blockage. This works when I am dancing too.

Creative blockage will happen to all of us, and frustration is bound to happen. But don’t let it get to you! It just means you need to declutter your thoughts. The mind can be a dangerous thing, so sort it out. Every good idea comes from the Most High, but just like life, creativity will come with trials, errors, , roadblock and so much more. And even with those blockages, there’s a blueprint that will lead you to success! You got this!

Have you ever had a costume get caught onto something while performing? What about in practice? It may seem BORING to have rules, but rules are put in place for the safety of everyone. Believe it or not, you can get TIED UP when dancing. You may laugh about it later, but sometimes it can truly lead to a big pain. If you are new to dance or simply need to refresh your memory, don’t worry, check out our top 4 picks that will get you tied up in dance.

YOUR JEWELRY LOOKS CUTE

I can’t deny that wearing jewelry is cute! But, how cute is cute when it hurts? Wearing jewelry while dancing is a big NO-NO! It can get caught in your hair or dance attire and create a hazardous situation. Therefore, when you dance, it’s best to remove all jewelry to a serious situation. 

Now, you may ask, “What about my stud earrings?” Girrrrllll, those are ok! But I won’t lie to you, they will sometimes get caught in your hair too.

LONG HAIR, DON’T CARE

Wearing long, knee-length hair is trendy. It’s cute, but everything that trends isn’t for the dance scene. You can get caught up and tied up while tripping when you’re not suppose to be tripping (…and that’s a fact!). However, there are ways to keep your length and dance too. Simply pull your hair back and secure it in a cute bun. You may want to add extra pins and stretchy bows to keep in tact. Secure it tightly! 

BUBBLE GUM, BUBBLE GUM IN A DISH

Do you like chewing gum? We all do! However, chewing gum while dancing can lead to a dangerous situation. Gum can easily slip down your throat in a matter of seconds and get stuck. And when gum gets stuck in your throat, it becomes life threatening. To avoid this situation, remove your gum before you start dancing. Save a piece for after class to treat yourself (and me too lol😉)!

MY ATTIRE & CUTE T-SHIRT BRA

No matter where you go in life, there is an appropriate attire to wear. Whether it is work, school or simply an event to attend, there is always an appropriate attire that creates UNITY. With dance, make sure you are in the appropriate dance attire assigned to you. It may seem simple, but it is in place for a reason. 

In addition to having on the right attire, correct under garments are important too. Sports bras are designed for active young ladies in various styles to be hidden under garments. If you wear a regular bra or none at all, you are putting your twin girls (chest) at risk of exposure… AND WE DO NOT want that. Therefore, choose an appropriate bra that fits your chest securely and is designed for active activities. 

While dance is fun, there are ways you can get tied up too! I hope that these few tips helped you in some way. Remember, DON’T GET TIED UP!