Best Foundation for 5 year old?
Hello!
I am seeking advice and thoughts on how other dance parents might approach or view on foundational training for the young ones…
My daughter is 5.5 years old. She has done some sort of movement based activity since she could walk - gymnastics, swimming, and dance are the ones she has enjoyed the most. Last year (age 4-6) we did our first full season of dance with 3x45-minute classes: two combo classes, and a primary ballet. She absolutely loved recital and begged to do more classes this season. We started our new schedule earlier this month which includes starting kindergarten as well as 5x45-minute classes at the dance studio. She is rocking it, loves it, and still has energy at the end of the day! 😓
She has tons of friends at this studio and is really enjoying creating relationships with her teachers who all seem to be wonderful, caring individuals.
My main “concern” (for lack of a better word) is that they are recreational primarily. They have a performing company team that competes but they generally compete Novice/Intermediate, even their teens and seniors. And we live in Phoenix, AZ and there are SO many amazing studios in our area!! We can get to MBA in 20 minutes, Kalani’s new studio is opening not too far from us, and Club is maybe 45 minutes one-way on a bad traffic day.
I know she’s young but should I be seeking more “elite” training for her so that we are building stronger foundations? I can see her wanting to compete in a couple of years and I want her to have the tools and training to be successful. But she also loves her studio right now, even though I don’t necessarily think she’s being challenged or progressing as quickly as she would if the instructors actually made corrections (I don’t see much or any corrections happening in class - it’s a lot more fun and still many elements of creative movement).
I’m a former dance teacher (a decade ago) so I probably worry too much! But I would really appreciate any feedback from other dance parents and dance teachers! Thank you!!
TLDR; my daughter is 5.5 and loving dance at her rec studio. Is it wise to start seeking higher quality training now or let it stay fun, even if she isn’t progressing as quickly as she is capable of (minimal corrections or technique in class)?