Thursday, September 3, 2009

Emmy's First day of Ballet Class

Today was Emmy's first Ballet Class and was she ever excited! She kept clapping and jumping up and down asking when we could go to class. I let her put on her dance outfit early so she could run around and dance all she wanted to before we left.
Unfortunately, the class was a bit of a disaster. The majority of the class the teacher had them take turns doing various things (the class includes tumbling as well) while the rest of the class was supposed to sit against the wall and watch. Now mind you, this is a class of 7 two year olds. There was princess music playing and it can take a long time for 7 two year olds to do 3 forward rolls or practice kicking their legs all the way across a dance floor. Emmy was bored out of her mind sitting there and couldn't understand why she didn't get to dance. The ENTIRE class they all just kept taking turns doing various things so Emmy barely did anything. The teacher kept reprimanding her for not sitting or listening and every time Emmy got up, the teacher made her go to the back of the line. There was one point where Emmy finally got a turn and had so much fun actually getting to move that she did her happy scream. It's loud, believe me I know but it was happy. The teacher put her hand over Em's mouth and told her that we don't scream in class and to be quiet. Emmy's entire face just fell at that point. The teacher also kept telling her that if she didn't obey then she wouldn't get a sticker at the end of class. Luckily she gave her one anyway, but not without a quick little lecture to be better next week. SHE'S TWO!!!!!! She ran out to me when class was over and said in a little voice "I wanted to dance Mommy."
I feel so awful for her. I had tears welling up in my eyes through most of the class. I know she needs to listen and obey as well as take turns but this just seemed too much. We'll try next week again but we may just wait until she's 3 and try a different dance studio where kids actually get to dance!

7 comments:

Tonia said...

Awww...Poor Emmy. It's so hard when they want to dance and they aren't allowed to.

Chiemi said...

Oh that's so sad! That teacher obviously does not know how to handle toddlers. I'm so heartbroken for her. Poor baby just wanted to dance. :(

Shae said...

oh my gosh! so sad! that teacher needs to have some help as to how to handle toddlers! i bet that just crushed Emmy! i hope that she doesn't let that affect her love for dance!

CrzyJess said...

Leslie,

You should talk with the instructor's boss if you take her to a dance studio. I take my 5 year old nanny kid to ballet and the teacher does such a great job of teaching them to dance as well as other things. I know there is a huge difference between 2 and 5 but I've seen the younger classes at her studio and they dance! If you and her were both heartbroken, just don't take it! There are SOOOO many dance studios out there.

Jess

CrzyJess said...

Leslie,

You should talk with the instructor's boss if you take her to a dance studio. I take my 5 year old nanny kid to ballet and the teacher does such a great job of teaching them to dance as well as other things. I know there is a huge difference between 2 and 5 but I've seen the younger classes at her studio and they dance! If you and her were both heartbroken, just don't take it! There are SOOOO many dance studios out there.

Jess

sissyann said...

We had KacieJean in dance at that age and it was just as awful. AWFUL!! I have actually tried it twice and will never do it again. She loves gymnastics. All the kids get to do something but she still learns to share and wait her turn.

Dan and Dee said...

Save your sweet daughter traumatic memories and try a different place. They have to have a zillion of them in your area--or start her later. Her sweet personality isn't worth the horror she endured her first try!
Okay, try one more time but really if the lady is the same way, talking to the instructor is probably not going to change things, something I learned early on in our kids lives, so good luck.
I read, looked and enjoyed your blog entries and pictures. There are some darling family photos and of Emma.
Your mom was my sweet angel and brought dinner by yesterday when I flew in (even though I told her she didn't have to!!!) So delish and enough for today. So glad she didn't listen to me.
I hope you get to adopt soon! Sooner than soon!!!!