Dance Teachers are currently experiencing extraordinary times. While some dance studio owners have heartbreakingly had to shut their doors after a lifetime in business, those that remain open now face the new methodical measures necessary to run and keep our dancers safe. 

So, how do we as dance teachers go about teaching so our dancers still have as close to normal an experience? How do we do this while changing up our teaching methods to ensure they are still grasping concepts and receiving corrections all while maintaining social distancing and mask wearing?

Below are some dance teaching tips to be mindful of while teaching your lessons this year. Remember there is a learning curve for everyone and we are all learning while implementing, so take a deep breath and be kind to yourself. You’re already doing a great job just by showing up with a energetic attitude and full, dedicated heart.

Covid Dance Teacher Tips:

1. While tactile correction is no longer an option, some kids who learn best this way will have to adapt to other means of correction. Be articulate. Be demonstrative. Be descriptive. Use references. Use imagery and explain. Show it on your own body when possible. 
2. Be flexible in your lessons. We all want to make up for, “lost time,” but we have to listen to and watch our students. We may have to take a couple of steps back to forge ahead. We are not in any rush and ensuring that their technique progresses at a steady pace and good habits are maintained will actually put us ahead of the curve.
3. Go with the flow. Class may look slightly different for a while. Comfort level and safety is going to play an important factor this year. Check in with your dancers frequently during class. Remind them that at any time they can take a mask break, just take a second to breathe, get water, talk to you about things on their mind and do whatever it is they need to do to manage the situation to feel healthy, safe, physically and mentally OK. While maintaining a sterilized and clean studio, offer sanitized hand washing breaks and periodic hand sanitizing to add an added layer of safety measures. 
4. Have fun!! Remember, young dancers are excited to be back doing what they love after a long absence and dance teachers are no different. Welcome back dancers with curriculum that’s fun and light and joyous and sets a tone of positivity and new beginnings. We may be dancing in masks and confined to six foot squares but we can create a sense of normalcy and excitement. Remind your dancers why they started dancing in the first place, despite the odds.
5. Creativity is pivotal. Now is the time to dig deep into your creative side. Choreography, class lessons, across the floor may and will look different this year so now is a good exercise for thinking out of the box and creating something innovative. I think this year will test all of us in this way where we come up with ideas we may never had thought of before. I think, despite the challenge that’s an exciting prospect and something every dance teacher has inside them!

Good luck!

See you in the dance studio,

Jess

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