Dance Classes for Toddlers

Hi A.,

There is a dance studio in Downtown Lee's Summit that has a class for 2-3 year olds. I am pretty sure the name of the studio is the American Dance Academy or something very close to it. It is on Douglas, diagnol from the fire station! My daughter will be turning two Oct and we will start her then. Good luck!!

D.

My daughter dances at Monica's in Lee's Summit and my niece will be starting there this fall (she's now three). I think that they have to be three to start because of their attention span and the fact that you need to drop them off for dance. I know there are some gymnastic studios in Lee's Summit that will probably work with her if she's potty trained. But ~ since you would like for her to start now you could buy her tap shoes & ballet slippers from Payless, put in a dance workout tape and let her do her thing in the basement. Best part is you can do it with her and then you'll know if structured dance will be best for her if she sticks through your "mini classes". Good Luck and Best Wishes to you future Superstar!!!

Hi ladies! I danced for many years and used to teach dance classes when I was in college. The main reason there are no classes for 2 year olds is because until they are 5, kids won't retain the muscle memory needed to fully benefit from dance classes. The class offered for three year olds is the same when they are four and when they are five. I recommend saving your money (dance is definitely an activity I recommend, but it gets expensive) for now. Encourage her to move with the music at home and practice rhythm by clapping along or banging sticks to the beat. If you want to, get some used tap shoes and ballet shoes at a garage sale and have your own "class" time at home. Their attention span is so short at that age that often a structured class is broken into 15 minute intervals of ballet, tap, tumbling and rhythm. I don't say that to discourage you from taking her when she's three; getting used to the structure of a class and the socialization are also benefits at that age. But for now, just keep the music playing and dance around with her and enjoy it!

I don't think a dance studio exists that will allow a child in before three, cause I've looked. The reasoning is because most children under three just aren't ready for the direction and discipline necessary for formal dance training.

Our daughter will be 18 months this week and she went to The Flip Zone over the summer for tumbling/gymnastics class and I've signed her up for the Fall. We are also going to do Kindermusik with Denise Revo at Heart of America Dance downtown beginning in September. You might want to check either/both of those out as they both introduce a child to a class and some of the beginnings of a more formal dance program.

A Fairytale Ballet offers classes for 2 year olds (with caregiver). There is one at 14357 Metcalf and one in Prairie Village ###-###-####. Check out their website. Cute classes.

Most places your child has to be potty trained and out of diaper or pullups. NOT sure why, but this is the problem we ran into also. Gage Center in Blue Springs has gymnastics classes I think for 2 year old and they offer dance and cheer too. Not sure what age they have to be, but you could try them out. My son goes there for gymnastics and LOVES it! The teachers never make them do anything they are uncomfortable with, but also persuade them to try new things. My son has grown so much just from attending. he tries just about anything now and it is GREAT!

hi A....have you looked into layton's dance studio?? it used to be off colbern road...not sure where the exact location is now, but i know it is in the lee's summit area. my friend's daughter just turned 3 and she is starting there soon. i don't know the age limits and requirements, but maybe something to check out. there is also a dance studio off chipman by extreme fitness called steppin' out. i've heard it's really good too, but again...not sure of restrictions and such. good luck with your daughter! :)