Congratulations! You’re Officially a Dance Parent!

Welcome to the club, dance moms and dads! Now that you’ve formally signed your child up for lessons and you’ve gotten all the pertinent information about the season, you are officially a dance parent at The Next Step School of Dance!

Being a dance parent here is a little bit like being in a secret society; there’s this new lingo to learn and a whole culture that you are now a part of. Here’s the inside scoop on what you need to know for your new status as a The Next Step School of Dance dance mom or dad:

Study up on your dancewear vocab. A leotard is the form-fitting bodysuit that dancers wear to class, and tights are worn underneath (kinda like pantyhose). Ballet shoes are usually pink and should fit snugly on your child’s feet; don’t buy them with room to grow! Tap shoes are the noisy ones, and jazz shoes look a little like slip-on ballet shoes, except with a small heel.

Practice how to do a bun. A bun is the hairstyle we recommend for most classes, as it allows students to move freely without getting hair in their face. A quick Google or YouTube search will give you oodles of tutorials to choose from—or just ask us! We can give you a demo right here in the lobby.

Pack a dance bag. Dance shoes, a water bottle, extra dancewear, and hair supplies … all of these things belong in your child’s dance bag. (Avoid allowing your child to wear their dance shoes outside; it’s damaging.) Be sure to label everything with your child’s name or initials!

Learn about the recital. At The Next Step School of Dance! , we offer an opportunity every year for our students to perform. The recital, as it’s commonly known, is when each class performs a routine onstage and in costume, and family and friends watch the show from the audience. Stay tuned all year to our emails and handouts for all the need-to-know recital info!

Introduce yourself to the other parents. We love building a community of like-minded moms and dads who understand our culture and enjoy having their children involved in dance. Our super-friendly dance parents are some of the best people we know, so we encourage you to introduce yourself in the lobby. Share stories, find carpools, plan playdates, or ask about their personal experiences at The Next Step School of Dance.

Being a dance parent is pretty awesome but being a dance parent at The Next Step School of Dance is even better! We hope this primer serves you well and helps you feel welcome at the studio. We’re glad you’re here!