Ballet Classroom Etiquette
Why is Ballet Classroom Etiquette so Important?
Today's article will be short and sweet. In the northern hemisphere, the school year has recently started back, and I wanted to think of one, a single piece of advice I would give to teachers. Here’s what I came up with: Teach your students classroom etiquette.
What is Classroom Etiquette?
Classroom etiquette may vary slightly from school to school and from teacher to teacher. To me, classroom etiquette is basically how students are supposed to behave in a ballet class. This includes things like arriving to class on time (or entering quietly and respectfully if late), wearing the right attire, standing in lines, quietly waiting for your turn, listening to the teacher, keeping your hands to yourself, paying attention, and participating in-class activities. Classroom etiquette may have a different focus for different age groups. 3-year-olds are more likely to have to work on keeping their hands to themselves, whereas 8-year-olds may have a harder time keeping quiet during class.
Toddler and Preschool Ballet
It’s never too early to start! You should even teach classroom etiquette to your toddler and preschool ballet students. For these very young students, it may take half or even the entire year to get them to stand in a line and understand things like waiting their turns and staying in their own personal space. In fact, even if the only thing your youngest students learn in ballet class is how to behave in class—that’s setting them up for huge success later on!
Pre-Ballet
(For pre-ballet, let’s assume ages 5 to 7. I realize “pre-ballet” means different things at different schools.) In pre-ballet, students will be able to naturally better-grasp classroom etiquette. At this age, they’re also in school or home-schooled and learning similar classroom etiquette there too. Students in this age group also tend to have longer attention spans, which also helps them to be able to better behave in ballet class. It’s easier for them to remember what is and isn’t expected of them.
Beginning Ballet
By the time a student reaches a true beginning ballet class (around ages 7 or 8, or even 9 for a later beginner), it can be helpful to formally remind student what’s expected of them at the beginning of the school year and then again around the middle of the year. At this age, classroom etiquette shouldn’t be something you have to remind your student of class after class.
Final Thoughts
Once your students know how to behave in a classroom, everything else will be much easier. Teaching things like how to follow instructions, listening, standing in a line, and taking turns are super important. It will give your students the tools to better learn actual ballet later on. It will help your class run more smoothly too, giving your students a better experience and encouraging them to want to come back again and again. So don’t worry if your lesson plans contain a lot of exercises that focus more on classroom behavior and ballet etiquette as you start the year (or new semester, or session) off. It will pay off in the end!
Happy Dancing!
Ashley Hartford
Founder + Owner, Once Upon a Ballet
Want to know more about me?
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