First Day Tips for Dance Teachers 🌹

There’s just something about the first day of dance class. New faces. New personalities. New combinations. New energy. And even when you’ve been teaching for YEARS, those first-day butterflies can still show up. But I’ve learned that the first class isn’t about having a “perfect” class. It’s about setting the tone.

Your dancers are learning much more than pliés, isolations, across-the-floor combinations, or choreography that day. They’re learning YOU. How does your classroom feel? What do you expect from them? Can they trust you? Are they safe to make mistakes? Are we here to work? Can we have fun while we work?

That first class begins answering all of those questions. So whether this is your very first year teaching or you’ve been doing this for a while, here are a few things I like to keep in mind when starting a new dance season.

BEFORE THEY EVER WALK THROUGH THE DOOR...

1. Know where you're trying to take them.

Before you start planning combinations, think about the big picture.

What should these dancers know by the end of the season?

Of course, there are the technical skills—steps, terminology, proper placement, technique, strength, flexibility, etc.—but don't forget about the skills that aren't necessarily written across the barre.

I want my dancers learning things like:

• How to pick up and retain choreography

• How to perform instead of simply doing the steps

• How to take corrections

• How to work with others

• How to use proper dance vocabulary

• How to become more confident and independent in the classroom

Know your studio's curriculum or syllabus and use it as your guide.

Then create a rough roadmap for how you're going to get your dancers from where they are now to where you'd like them to be.

And I said ROUGH for a reason!

Don't plan your entire season down to the minute before you've even met your dancers. 😂

You may meet them and realize you need to slow down, speed up, backtrack, or go in a completely different direction.

Have a destination in mind, but leave yourself room to adjust the route.

2. PLAN that first lesson.

Listen...I love being able to adjust and go with the flow when I'm teaching.

But the first day?

Have. A. Plan.

Actually, have more planned than you think you'll need.

I'd much rather look at the clock and realize I won't get to my last activity than look at the clock and think...

"Oh goodness. I still have 15 minutes. What are we going to do?!" 😂

Plan your class from beginning to end.

Know what you're teaching.Know what music you're using.Have your playlist ready.Know how you're transitioning from one activity to the next.

And especially with younger dancers, remember that their attention spans are shorter. You may need to change activities more frequently to keep them engaged.

Your lesson plan doesn't have to control every second of your class. It's there to give you direction so that you can actually focus on teaching.

3. Get your teacher bag together!

Every dance teacher eventually develops a bag that looks like they're prepared to survive three days in the wilderness. 😂

But listen...that bag WILL save you.

Think beyond your dance shoes.

My teacher bag might include things like:

Dance shoes and an extra change of clothes, lesson plans or a notebook, my main music device AND a backup, chargers, a portable speaker, stickers for my little dancers, Band-Aids, hair ties, bobby pins, tissues, hand sanitizer, pens, pencils, markers, scissors, resistance bands, and any props I plan to use that day.

Dance dots. Scarves. Bean bags. Hoops. Whatever your class needs.

You can't prepare for absolutely everything.

But being prepared for the little things means you're spending less time trying to solve problems and more time TEACHING.

ON THE FIRST DAY...

4. Learn their names.

This is a BIG one for me.

Learn. Their. Names.

You may not remember every single name before they leave that first class—and that's okay.

But try.

There is something powerful about a child walking into your classroom and hearing:

"Hey, Ava! I'm happy to see you today!"

Their name tells them:

I see you. I know you're here. You matter in this room.

Use their names while giving corrections. Say their names when they're doing something well. Use name games with your little ones if you need to.

Learning names isn't separate from teaching.

It's part of building the relationship that allows you to teach them.

5. Set the expectations NOW.

Please don't wait until November to establish rules you should've established in September. 😂

Your dancers need to know what your classroom expectations are from the beginning.

And this isn't just for the babies!

Your older dancers need expectations too.

How do we enter the classroom?Where do dance bags go?When can we get water?What happens when the teacher is speaking?How do we ask questions?How do we treat our classmates?What does giving your best effort look like?

You don't have to walk into the studio acting like a drill sergeant.

You can be kind AND firm.

Actually, I think some of the best dance teachers are both.

We're creating a loving, encouraging environment, but loving our dancers also means giving them structure, boundaries, and consistency.

Say what you mean, and then be consistent enough to follow through.

6. WATCH your dancers.

Your first lesson plan is based on what you think your dancers need.

Your second one should start being based on what you've actually seen.

Pay attention.

Who picks up choreography quickly?

Who needs more time?

Who is technically strong but hesitant to perform?

Who has confidence but needs more technique?

Who is nervous?

Who needs help focusing?

Who might need a little extra encouragement?

Who may be more advanced than you expected?

You're assessing without making your dancers feel like they're taking a test.

After class, write down a few notes while everything is fresh.

Then adjust.

Good teaching requires observation.

A FEW TIPS BY AGE...

LITTLE BLOOMS | Ages 3–6 🌱

Structure. Structure. Structure.

Little dancers thrive when they begin to understand the rhythm of your class.

Maybe we always start on our dance dots. Then we stretch. Then we work on our positions. Then we move across the floor. Then we do an activity.

Whatever your routine is, establish it early.

Keep activities short, keep transitions moving, and don't be afraid of repetition.

And most importantly: be consistent with your expectations.

If the rule is that we raise our hand before speaking, then gently remind them every single time.

You're not being mean.

You're teaching them how to function successfully in your classroom.

And yes...you may have to say it approximately 476 times. 😂

Welcome to teaching tiny dancers!

YOUNGER DANCERS | Ages 7–9 🌹

This age is such an important transition.

They still want the fun—and they SHOULD have fun—but they're also ready to understand that dance class is where we learn and train.

Use games when they reinforce what you're teaching.

Make things engaging.

Celebrate them.

But don't accidentally teach them that every class has to end with a game or prize for them to enjoy dance.

Let accomplishing something difficult become part of the fun.

That feeling of:

"I couldn't do that before...and NOW I CAN!"

That's a reward too.

TWEENS + TEENS | Ages 10–18 🌹

Challenge them.

Don't be afraid to give individual corrections on Day One.

Corrections tell dancers that you're actually watching them and that you believe they're capable of improving.

Introduce yourself and let them learn a little about you too. You don't need to give them your entire résumé, but give them some context about who is standing in front of them and why you love what you do.

And don't be afraid to give them something that's a little difficult.

I'd rather give my older dancers something they have to work toward than immediately assume they can't handle it.

Sometimes they will struggle.

Sometimes you'll need to modify.

And sometimes they'll completely surprise you.

Give them the opportunity to rise to the challenge.

ADULT DANCERS 🌹

Adult dancers often walk into our classrooms for completely different reasons.

Some danced growing up and miss it.

Some have always wanted to dance but never had the opportunity.

Some want movement and exercise.

Some simply need ONE HOUR where they get to do something for themselves.

Meet them there.

Teach real technique. Give corrections. Challenge them.

But also create space for questions, modifications, laughter, and grace.

Tell them a little about yourself and your teaching background so they feel comfortable learning from you.

And if they ask something you genuinely don't know?

Say you don't know—and find the answer.

There's nothing wrong with saying:

"That's a great question. Let me look into that so I can give you the right answer."

You don't have to pretend to know everything to be a good teacher.

AND ONE LAST THING...

Your dancers probably won't remember every combination you taught on the first day.

They may not remember the song you played.

They definitely won't know whether you forgot the activity that was written at the bottom of your lesson plan.

But they'll begin remembering how your classroom made them feel.

So create the kind of room you want them to return to week after week.

A room where we work hard.

A room where mistakes are part of learning.

A room where corrections are given because we believe in growth.

A room where expectations are clear.

A room where every dancer knows they are seen.

A room where we can laugh AND learn.

A room where dancers are given the time, attention, intention, and passion they need to BLOOM. 🌹

Because before we teach the choreography, we're creating the environment where the dancer will grow.

Ready. Set. BLOOM.

— Mrs Courteney 🌹