With rehearsals in full swing and christmas, that time of the year that seemed so distant before, is now only a few weeks away, it is easy to get yourself wound up.
Not only do you have all that gifts to buy and food to prepare for the time when all your family are heading to yours, but your little bundle of joy has their Christmas Dance show to prepare for too.
This is the time of the year when all the Dance Mums and Dads are frantically trying to make sure that their kids costume is ready, in the right style, colours and size.
If you have ever been a dancer yourself or are the parent of dancers, then you will know how crucial getting all of their dancewear, and everything else right is.
It’s likely that your child will be nervous, regardless of whether they are experienced or just a beginner, the nerves don’t go away that easily and you want everything to go well for them, as any loving parent would.
That’s why it’s important that you remember the old adage of ‘failing to prepare means you are preparing to fail’.
With that in mind, therefore, we have put together a brief, but hopefully, practical and helpful list of tips to ensure everything goes as swimmingly as it can before the big day.
Get Their Dance Costume and all the Accessories Ready as Early as Possible
Your child’s dance teacher should have the style, colour and other important features of the costume decided on with lots of time in advance. This gives you enough time to order what your kid needs and ensure it all fits properly before the big day.
When the big day arrives though, you will find that most of the kid’s costumes will all be hung up together, and although they may have all have different sizes, they will all look the same. This is why it is a good idea to invest in some labels, so your child knows which is hers (or his).
Make Sure they Attend All Rehearsals
This should go without saying really, but it’s important that your child gets as much practice in as possible. By far the most effective way to overcome any nerves they (or you!) may have about the dance show is by building confidence in their ability.
That’s why it is important that they do not miss any of the rehearsals. It’s also a good idea for you to be there too, if possible, so you can hear the teacher’s directions and have a better understanding what the show is going to be like. This will mean you are able to help them to prepare for it more effectively.
Avoid Rushing On the Day
On the day of the dance show, get there as early as you can. This will ensure that neither you or your child are rushing around and worrying. It is also your job to stay as calm and measured as you can. Remember, children can be a lot like pets, if you are feeling worried or stressed, they will pick up on it.
It takes a lot, even with pre planning, to start any dance show, so mentally prepare yourself to be waiting around a lot.
Nip Problems in the Bud Early
So you know the costume and accessories your child needs, as well as the shoes and everything else they need. That’s all well and good, but what if they graze their knee or get a ladder in their tights?
To prepare for any potential problems, it’s wise to have some extra things in your bag for the big day, including:
- Extra sequins
- A small hand-sewing kit
- Ribbons
- Spare hairbands
- Hairspray
- Safety pins
- Snacks
- Water
- Invisible plasters
- Spare tights
- Clear nail varnish to stop the tights from laddering
The only other bit of advice we can give is to enjoy it. Remember it is meant to be something your child (and you as a beaming with pride parent) is doing because they love it.
