I was searching for an activity for my 2.5 year old daughter for the summer. I came across the summer session programs at Concord Dance Center. Along with the dance introduction they also provided a snack and a craft. This was the description listed :
"Broadway Babies" (Ages 2 1/2-4): This class is by far the most popular class at CDC! Students will learn tap, ballet, creative movement and basic tumbling skills. We incorporate props such as; scarves, ribbons, bean bags, musical instruments and rhythm sticks to engage our students' imagination and most importantly, have fun! Students need a leotard & tights, black tap shoes and pink ballet shoes.
Each session was only four classes long. I thought this would be perfect! Something fun with no pressure. I called the studio and explained to the woman that I wanted her to try dance to see if she would like it so that way when she turned 3, perhaps she would continue into the older program. The fee was reasonable, the gear kind of expensive. Leotards, tights, tap and ballet shoes... ugh, but I bit the bullet. Monday night was our first class and my daughter would not nap, of course.... just my luck, and crashed on the way to class. She was out for the count, so she missed class 1, no worries we will be back on Wednesday.
We arrive for class on Wednesday night and my daughter, along with approx. 6 other girls head into their room to begin class. There are windows to peek in at the girls while they are in there so I would peek in and see how my daughter was doing. She did great at first but then I could see that she was getting antsy and starting to not follow directions. The teacher called all the parents in to switch the girls from tap to ballet shoes, so I went in. My daughter had already taken her shoes off. I went to put on her ballet shoes and she was not being cooperative. This was approximately 25 mins into the class. The teacher approached me and stated that my daughter was being disruptive to the other girls and she would not stay in line. So I stated that I was going to take her home, with the intention of trying again next week. She told me that obviously my daughter was not ready for the class and I could stop in the office for a refund. I was very taken back by this. I cannot fathom how they would expect a 2.5 year old to "stand in line" and follow commands. I was under the assumption that this was a "fun" class otherwise I never would have signed my daughter up. I was completely embarrassed that the teacher would have spoken so publicly about this and not even let my daughter finish out the class or come in to the next one and try again.
Concord Dance Center's web site states:
" We provide a safe, fun environment in which our students learn the fundamentals of dance and gain self confidence at the same time!! "
Thankfully my daughter is young and she has no idea that she was asked to leave. I cannot imagine how an older child would have felt if asked to leave midway through their first dance class!!! read more
