Tumbling/Tap/Dance Schools - Kylie's 1st day

coasterqueen wrote: Kylie took a ballet/tap class at our local Y for 8 weeks and now that vacations have settled down we enrolled her in an actual school. Her 1st class was today. She actually has to take a tap/tumbling class for 6 weeks before they will allow her to go up a step to ballet. Anyways, they don't let you watch the class, isn't that weird? They let us watch the class tonight so we can see how it is, but they get pretty snippy when you distract your child in the least bit. Dh was kinda of freaked out about this and I was a bit too. I like being able to watch the class so I can find out what is being taught and review it with her at home. My mom reminded me tonight that the school I went to as a kid had the same policy.

Does those who's child attends a 'school' have the same policy?

Mommy2Isabella replied: I grew up doing gymnastics I stopped a few years ago due to emotional issues < not making it .. TYPE THING). Anyways, even when I first started out my mom or dad weren't allowed to look on in the class, they had certain days but on a regular basis they weren't allowed to be there to watch. I think part of it is due to you could possibly distract other children whose parents are also paying for the class, and their child is distracted by you, which IMO would IRRITATE me if I were the other parent!


ETA: Also, you could cause a distraction to your own child and she could do something wrong and possibly get hurt and that would be a possible liability for the company ...

MommyToAshley replied: Ashley takes dance at one place and gymnastics at another, and both have a glass window that you can watch through. They ask that we not go in the room which would distract the kids, and that is understandable. But, I don't think I would let her take it at a place that didn't at least let you watch through a window. I would wonder what they have to hide. I guess that is the over-protective side of me. I also like to know what is going on... how she is behaving, if she is enjoying the class, how the teacher interacts with her, etc. (On a side note, both of these places allowed for me to go in for a few minutes and video tape or take pictures as well. I wanted some pics for her scrapbook)

Kind of off-topic, but it reminds me of the pediatric dentist I originally made an appointment at for Ashley. They sent the forms in the mail and a letter stating that they want the parent to wait in the waiting room. I figured this was for the older children, so I called to confirmed. But, to my surprise, they wanted Ashley (at age 3) to go back by herself so she can bond with the dentist. I told her that she doesn't need to bond with the dentist whom she will see twice a year and that I would go some place else.

Jamison'smama replied: Jamison's ballet class had the same policy although they often left the door open and we could peek in. We also heard everything. I never really worried, I think it is a common policy.

luvmykids replied:
Kylie's class is like that, and so is their swimming school. I don't think I'd be comfortable if I couldn't watch and at swimming it really freaked me out not to be right there by the pool, but I can also see kids being "weird" with their parents around, not really joining the class and just hanging on to mom.

ITA with Jessi too, especially with gymnastics about being distracted and getting hurt.

C&K*s Mommie replied: ITA with Dee Dee, I would not feel comfortable to not be able to see my child at all. I would like to see firsthand that my child is enjoying the class, as well as hear it from her when I asked. A one way mirror or glass panes with tint on them should still be suitable to be able to watch your children, minus the distractions.

Brias3 replied: At Aliyah's gymnastics place, there is a second floor "viewing room" where you can watch the class without distracting your kids too much. For her dance class, there is no opportunity to watch either. Although I kind of wish I could see what she's learning each week, her teachers are really nice and keep the parents well informed always so I tried to not be bothered by that. Aliyah also has one class every month or two in a session where parents are invited in to watch the last half of it and they get to "perform" what they're working on. Might Kylie's class include something like that you don't know about yet?

Hope she's enjoying dance so far!

Kaitlin'smom replied: Well Kaits gymnastics has window viewing area, and the recently re-arranges so you can see the younger childern better. TBH I dont watch her. I do peek to see what she is doing but if she sees me she will get distracted and I dont want her to hurt herself or anyone else. The option is there though. Her dance studio has a windo but the bilnds are down, they do leave the door open and I kinda sit where I can peak on occasion for the same reasons as gymnastics. The do let parents watch the last class of the session. The teacher also came out and had her show me what she learned so we could work on it at home. So the options to peak or watch are there so I am comfortable.

coasterqueen replied: Dh and I talked more about it and I talked with a few of my friends about their experiences as kids and they all had the same policy. So it must be pretty common. They do leave the door open so I can peak in, I'm just used to being there the entire time watching every second. But come to think of it that's probably why I really didn't like the Y class she was going to and sought out a school atmosphere. The kids were running around everywhere, no discipline and they didn't get the opportunity to learn much. I don't think they have anything to hide, they are just wanting no distraction. And I must admit I caused a lot of that last night. It's probably because people like me that they have that policy. I try to be the teacher as well.

Kylie was telling her sitter this morning "I looooovvvvveeee that school, Miss Terri". So she likes it and I'm right outside the door of the class; I can hear everything so I will let it be. I'll probably cry the day she gets hurt and I wasn't there to see it, but that's just being a mom I guess. I know when my mom would pick me up from class she often found me hurt in some form or fashion.

What I like about this school is the classes are small, but have two teachers so there is a lot of one-on-one. Also the school is not far from our home so we can go straight from me getting home from work to picking her up, to Dh staying home and cooking dinner w/Megan and Kylie and I will be back home w/in 5 minutes of our class. I also like that many cheerleaders and pom pom gals from our school district have gone through this school. IF (and that's a big if) she continues on this path when she's 12 or so (or maybe older, lol) she can ride her bike there for practices. We live out in the boonies, but at the entrance of our country road they built the dance school. The lady who owns it did that because of all the commuters (and there are a lot coming from our direction) had another, more closer choice of a school to send their kids rather than going all the way back into town.

MommyToAshley replied: As long as you are comfortable with it and Kylie is enjoying it, then that is what matters. I can understand that they don't want parents in the room... I don't think that's a good idea either. That's why I like the viewing windows, it's a good compromise. However, I would prefer closed-circuit TV with the camera zoomed in on Ashley...LOL!

Glad to hear Kylie is enjoying the class!

Kaitlin'smom replied: thats another thing about kaits dance school I like right now its summer session and there is only 2 kids in the class so there is plently of one on one. She adores it and like you its 5 minutes from home. The other thing I like is they do funraisers that you have the option of participating in to help with cost of costumes and such for the recital and you can invite as many as you want to the recital and NO one has to pay for a ticket! It makes it nice so if you cant afford the fees of costumes and such this can help with that and they get to particiapte.

MommyToAshley replied:
That's the one and only thing I didn't care for about Ashley's recital... it was at the Schuster Center (An upscale performing arts theatre/center, for those that don't know it). It was an awesome recital and everything was VERY nice, but those that wanted to come had to buy tickets. At this age, I would have been happy to have Ashley's recital at a gymnasium someplace so everyone could come.

coasterqueen replied:
I probably would prefer that too. You know a viewing window wouldn't stop me. Seriously. I'd be tapping on the window, giving her looks (like be quiet, or pay attention looks, lol) or might even talk through the glass loud enough for her to hear me. See I'm awful.

Kaitlin'smom replied:
ya I heard that, how crazy. They could have at least offered some type of fund raising to help with the cost.

MommyToAshley replied:
To be honest, I am not a big fan of fundraising. The same people that bought the tickets would have been asked to buy the stuff for fundraising. It seems like every sport, school, activity does a fundraiser or two ... I hate to ask the same people over and over again. I know... I'm weird about that I guess. (Sorry I got OT) I just don't think they needed that elaborate of a recital, but some people take dance very seriously.

Kaitlin'smom replied:
not weird about it. What I was thinking they would not have to buy a ticket if there was a fundrasier, or if you chose not to participate they would have to buy one...make sence?

MommyToAshley replied:
makes perfect sense.

A&A'smommy replied: okay as a teacher I have to say it is normal for them NOT to let you watch it is VERY difficult to teach a child with a parent present they are more apt to listen when you are not present. Also thats pretty much the same rule everywhere you go and a lot of new parents don't know that. But anyway I suggest to everyone that if you have a problem please discuss it with the teacher they will appreciate that!!

coasterqueen replied:
Thanks Jessy Ann. You know I think more than anything I'm just so afraid of my baby getting hurt and not being there to see how it happened. KWIM? I know she can get hurt, it's possible. I just want to be there to see it, to know exactly what happened and to be the 1st one there to comfort her.

My co-worker said it's glad I'm starting Kylie in a school now because I need to let go of some of the control.

A&A'smommy replied:
Yeah and thats TOTALLY normal and I understand too I would feel the same way (thank goodness I'm going to be her teacher ) we had SOOO many parents FREAK out on us about our policy we didn't let them in the studio before class either (well for the younger ones the older kids could have parents because they can let go) and we don't have a viewing window but not for lack of trying the owner of the studio (we rent) didn't put one in like we requested.

ANYWAY it it will be good for her and for peace of mind we only had ONE child get hurt last year!

Also I suggest taking her to the bathroom RIGHT before class... that was my most hated thing was that parents wouldn't take them the BR they expected us too anyway its good that you can peak in

edit: for spelling errors

DansMom replied: WTG, Kylie! Those classes are wonderful for gross motor skills.

We weren't allowed to watch Daniel's swimming class at the Y except from the observation deck. I was standing with like my whole body against the glass and fidgeting---couldn't even sit! Parents around me were snickering. I need to be near my child in the water, and he's smaller than the others so the water is above his chin. It was horrible for me to endure that hour every week. But he loved the class and did well---the parent/teacher ratio was small enough and there were tons of lifeguards.

MommyToAshley replied:
Really? Wow... there are benches inside the pool room at our Y. Most parents sit in the observation area outside the pool room, but I am like you and want to be near Ashley in the water. So, I sit on the benches in the pool room. They are off to the side and Ashley pays attention to her teacher and is not distracted by me at all. I don't want to scare you, but there was an incident (not at our Y) about a year ago where a child drowned. The teacher, the parent, and the lifeguard didn't see the child in distress. The lifeguards at the Y we go to are very observant, but I just feel more comfortable being close by so I could react if I needed to.

3_call_me_mama replied: Cameron's class is now over but we had the same rule. We had to sit in teh hallway and peek through this tiny little window (Which was mostl covered with construction paper so you could only slightly se through teh sides. At the end of class (last 2-3 minutes) we were allowd in to watch most weeks, but the class itsself we weren't allowed to. Also as far as recitals were, they were held at local schools or highschools and we still had to pay. The christmas show (homemade costumes not a real big show) was $6 a person /under 6 free. And the final show was $8 a person / under 6 free. So it cost us $32 to brin gmy mom and day and dh and I to watch is 4 minute dance. I know she had to pay for teh janitors time at teh show but there were liek 350 peopel at teh show that were charged $8 each. So you KNOW she made money off it since the janitors were only $100. BUt oh well. Not to mention the $65 costume (which was nothign great) but he had fun and ismvoing on to Tae Kwon Do this year instead. Not sure if kathleen will do dance with this same lady or not. might just find a straight ballet for her in teh beginning.

Kaitlin'smom replied:
While I am not a dance teacher I totaly agree with you. This is from personal experience. When Kait first started gymnastics it was a parent/tot class. She did okay but was not as focused as she is with out me in the class with her.

However the water thing I dont knwo if I could be on the other side of a wall, woulc scare me to much. I am currently teaching her a few things in our pool and sisters pool, then she will go to classes.