Dance is inherently a discipline and, as a result, wonderful training for any child. So often nowadays children receive little or no discipline in their homes and a limited amount in schools. As dance teachers we are often placed in the position of being the only person who exerts any type of discipline over students and because of this we are sometimes on the receiving end of bad attitudes from children who are not accustomed to being held accountable. I'm sure you are familiar with the rebellion against your dress code, the lack of promptness, the rolling of the eyes, to name a few instances. So how can we deal with these issues in a positive but definite way?
Spelling Out The Ground Rules Upfront
When parents sign up their children for classes, they usually receive all the information regarding what their children are expected to wear, how their hair needs to be done and the importance of being on time for classes and rehearsals. Of course, they dont always follow instructions and so we see students in class wearing inappropriate clothing or footwear or perhaps with their hair all over the place. I have always found that the best way to fix this is to talk directly to the student and explain why they need to observe the dress code and how it will benefit them. I show them that, if they wear oversized T-shirts, the teachers will not be able to see their bodies well enough to correct their technique and that, more importantly, they themselves will not be able to see their own body lines. I let them know that, if their hair is flopping in their faces, they have little chance of improving their pirouettes because they will be unable to see to practice their spotsand what dancer doesnt want to be able to turn well?
The dress code provides uniformity and the right look for each type of dance. It is important when the student is studying classical dance that they put their hair in a bun. Not only because it looks right, but because it gives them the correct feeling and importance of that style of dance. For Hip Hop they will feel more the part with their hair in a pony tail. Having the correct shoes also helps the dancers become more attuned with the different styles of dance. Part of dance training is to help children understand the idea of working as a team. Making sure that you keep the dress code in all of your classes helps minimize the diva element among the students or, at the very least, helps them learn to reserve it for their performances!
I never like to penalize a student if they come to class late because of an issue that the parent had. Typically we do not allow any student to physically participate in classes if they arrive more than 10 minutes late. The reason is obvious: They are going to miss a good portion of their warm-up and therefore run the risk of potential injury. Our students are allowed to sit and take notes on the class if they are latea good habit to instill and very often they are amazed by what they learn by watching and writing. If a student is habitually late, then the parent has to be called and given the same reason for why it is important for their child to be on time. Sometimes the parent is even less disciplined than the child! I have found that by making the child understand the importance of being on time for their classes, it trains them to be self-disciplined in other areas. I also make them aware of the benefits of even being early for classes, of feeling totally prepared and the ways in which those habits will benefit them, not only in dance but in life. I find this motivates them to accept that form of discipline.
Discipline Today, Self-Discipline Tomorrow
So is all of this necessary to teach dance? The answer is unequivocally yes. As dance teachers we do prepare our students not just for dance, but for adulthood as well. The two are completely intertwined and the reality is that if we do not nurture these young dancers in every way, they will not have received a real education. The idea is to instill self-discipline in them so that when they go out into the real world they are able to function at the highest level possible and in the most centered manner. Coping skills are lacking nowadays and yet are so important for a persons ability to make the right decisions in a quick and concise way. Dance is absolutely perfect for this kind of training. To teach your students to be able to think at a moments notice onstage is something that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. Giving them the confidence to make decisions will help your students in whatever direction they choose for themselves and will set them apart from others. We teach our students to take every mistake onstage and learn how to make it work regardless. As a performer, I know that the percentage of time that everything works perfectly onstage is lower than the percentage when things are not going absolutely to plan. Having escape plans or exits for steps or sections that your students are apprehensive about helps them to perform better, have confidence and discipline their minds so that when something unexpected happens onstage they are mentally prepared to keep moving.
Make Clear What Is Unacceptable
Bad behavior is unacceptable in any scenario. Rolling the eyes, talking back or being disrespectful are actions that need to be addressed. It is not uncommon, especially with teens, for all of these things to happen and they are generally directed toward female teachers. If a student behaves badly, I have found that the best way to respond is to talk to the student privately and help them understand that I would prefer them to be in a positive leadership role rather than a negative follower one. Usually I will give them some task to occupy them that involves the group they are working with. It could be something as simple as making sure everyone remembers rehearsal times. When a child of any age starts acting up, it is typically because they are insecure and desperately want attention. If you give them something to do that makes them feel important, it will usually resolve the problem. Make them accountable for something and watch the response. Obviously if a student is rude or disrespectful to a fellow student or faculty or a staff member, they need to understand that it will not be tolerated and apologies should be made. I always tell my students that it takes much less effort to be nice to people than to be miserable.
Over the years, we have taught many students how to have self-discipline through dance. Some are now working as professional dancers, some are in other facets of showbiz and others are doing a wide variety of jobs. The most common letter or phone call that we receive is to thank us for helping them to Make It Work.
