Dancing through lockdown 2020 – a guide to helping dancers through lockdown and the impact it has had on young dancers.

Lockdown 2020 has had a profound impact on young dancers around the world.  Many young dancers spend hours at their dance studios every week and they become not just a place of learning but a home away from home.  The vibe of being in a studio, of working as a team, and of dancing with friends is a feeling like no other.  Students attend dance studios for so many reasons.  Some look to make a career, others find a social outlet through dance, many enjoy the process of perfecting an art form, many love the thrill of performing and others find solace and a safe space within their dance studio.  Adapting to remote learning has been challenging for dance teachers and students alike. Without the energy in the studio, without the connection and with no clear goals to work towards such as performances or exams, many students have found themselves disconnected from an integral part of their being.  A dance year has a rhythm, learning new skills, learning routines, working towards exams, competition season, performance season, there is a comfort in that rhythm and that predictability.  As we continue to navigate lockdown and post lockdown in the studio, it is important to consider methods for helping dancers through lockdown. I have just come off 8 months of teaching on Zoom and over that time, a few things became very clear.

• A student’s motivation to dance plays a huge role in how well they cope with online learning.  Obviously, no student is motivated by only one factor, it is a combination of things that an individual loves about dance.  However, broadly speaking, students who are more extrinsically motivated, for example, by being in the studio, by being with their friends, and those that are motivated by displaying their dancing to others, whether that be having other students watch and admire them in the studio or in competitions, struggle on Zoom.  Without the camaraderie and the feedback and the feeling of performing, dance became a very different prospect. By contrast, those that are more highly motivated by intrinsic factors such as perfecting their art and by trying to become a better dancer, thrive on Zoom.
• Space to dance also plays a huge role.  Some students can avail themselves of empty rooms with plenty of equipment at their disposal whilst others have to make do with a kitchen bench and their little brother watching television next to them.  In the studio, every student can enjoy the space and facilities, at home it is a very different matter.  If motivation is waning, not having the space to dance can really start to impact.
• Attitude to Zoom.  I think we can all agree that the first time we logged onto Zoom, after getting past the thrill of seeing our students again, we all felt a mixture of disappointment, stress, and anxiety at our new teaching tool,  The way we as teachers feel about Zoom can have a huge impact on the way our students receive our lessons.  There are several great tips for getting the most out of Zoom classes here but the main message is to look for what can be achieved and focus on that.  Rather than looking at Zoom classes as a regular class that is now held online, it is an absolute game-changer when you start to view Zoom as a different way of teaching.  Whilst some aspects of dance class are difficult or impossible to achieve on Zoom there are many many things that can be achieved.  By focussing on this, the entire experience is totally different. And the good news, after 8 months I got back to the studio and I could absolutely see what we had achieved on Zoom.  Every student had improved.  I could see them applying corrections we had worked on in our Zoom class and some aspects of their technique had improved immensely.  After all those pirouettes in challenging locations, the kids could turn like tops!

In terms of helping dancers through lockdown, there are many, many resources that you can use on Zoom over in the store.  Why not spend a class working on growth mindset or goal setting, it offers not only a welcome change of pace but also introduces valuable life skills.  Meanwhile, please enjoy this worksheet to help your students process their time on Zoom.  Whether they are back in the studio or still learning remotely, talking about motivation, about how they feel about not being in the studio and looking for the lessons and positives they can take from their time away from the studio is incredibly powerful.  Just enter your email address below.  This sheet is from the Success Mindset journal for students which you can purchase here.  The teacher version is available here.

You can find more great Zoom resources here.

10 tips for great Zoom dance classes

Learn to love teaching dance on Zoom – what 8 months on Zoom have taught me

During 2020, I have conducted the majority of my dance classes on Zoom – we went into Lockdown and our dance schools closed in March.  At the time of writing it is early November and we are ‘due’ to go back to the studio in a limited capacity next week but Zoom will still be part of our lives for a while longer.  The first day I ever taught on Zoom I wanted to cry.  “This is no way to teach,” I thought!  I absolutely HATED it.  The energy and interaction that powers the studio environment were gone.  I hated seeing my students as tiny muted squares.  I felt like Zoom was just something to suffer through for a few weeks and that there was no hope of actually achieving anything from these online classes.  As the weeks turned into months, and it became very clear that Zoom was not in fact the big, bad evil that was keeping me from my students but in fact my only lifeline to them.  Slowly, I began to adapt to this strange new way of teaching.  I had an extra advantage in that I listened to my own daughter being taught ballet on Zoom for 6 hours a day.  Between my own experiences and listening into other teacher’s classes I ended up with a very firm idea of what works, what doesn’t, and what we as dance teachers need to do to not just adapt but indeed thrive on Zoom.

First things first, Zoom teaching will never replace in-studio teaching.  However, if 2020 has taught us anything it is that we need to learn to adapt. Zoom dance classes are not the same as in-studio classes and accepting this and trying to focus on what can be achieved on Zoom makes a huge difference. Just let that sit for a moment.  Step one in Zoom dance class success is to accept that Zoom classes are not just a replication of in-studio classes.  You need to approach them differently, look for what can be achieved, and focus on achieving that.  So what have I learned after 8 long months (and counting) on Zoom…..

1. Set expectations: This is one area where Zoom classes and in-studio classes are similar. When I first started teaching on Zoom, I, like many teachers focussed on having fun, on getting the students comfortable with this new medium. That was March.  Kids are beyond used to online learning now.  We no longer have to worry about that.  Of course, there is time for fun, but just as in the studio, nothing is possible without expectations and structure.  Set the ground rules and stick to them.  For me, my main rules were that students should not approach their device unless they had to adjust something.  Unless it is watching time, students should stand still and listen. No lounging on couches or using the chat function to ping their friends.
2. Cut down on demonstration wherever possible:  When you start on Zoom, make your number one priority setting a routine. If you have exam work to work on, great! If not, choose a selection of exercises that you can repeat weekly.  Of course, you can add to these but having a portion of the class where you don’t have to demonstrate is game-changing.  Demonstrating on Zoom is not like demonstrating in class.  In class, you can demonstrate AND watch but on Zoom it is really difficult to make sure your whole body is in the shot, deal with music, keep the interest of the class, and peer at tiny squares all at the same time.  It is draining!  However, once you can sit down in front of your computer and look at your students you can get on with the business of teaching. You can interact, you can use your personality to help the class along. You can give correction, you can give encouragement.  The whole tone of the class changes.  Another option is to have an older demonstrating student in the lesson. You can spotlight the student so other class members can watch them whilst you get on with the teaching.  For older students, if you have some students who are more confident with the choreography or syllabus work you can suggest to the students that they pin certain students so as they have someone to watch.  All of these free you up to teach more effectively.
3. Choose what you teach: There are many things we can’t do on Zoom.  Hello, grand allegro or across-the-floor combinations! However, there are many things that do work. Stretching and strengthening on Zoom is ideal.  It doesn’t take much room and students often have various tools at their disposal (yoga blocks, stretch bands, etc) and there are all sorts of ways everyday household furniture can be used for stretch and strengthen.  Because you can’t do certain parts of your normal class, it does mean that you, therefore, have more time to hone in on other areas.  You might choose to do a whole class on feet and ankle flex and strengthening, or a class on hip flexibility or on extensions.  When we are going full tilt in the studio, working towards exams, performances, etc, these kinds of classes aren’t always possible.  Embrace the opportunity to work on some areas you might not always have time to when you are in the studio.
4. Imagery, imagery, imagery: Not being in the same room means that you have to rely so much more on the words you use to impart correct dance technique to students. Pay attention to your use of imagery.  Think about what you are teaching that day and brainstorm some imagery to help your students understand how you would like a certain step to look,  Imagery can be further enhanced by the use of props (see below)
5. Use props: One of the huge advantages I found in teaching from home was that I had all sorts of props on hand. Instead of talking about a sparkly diamond on their heel, I could show them a big sparkly plastic jewel.  I grabbed icy lollies from my freezer to demonstrate what a relevé should look like, I used my artist’s model jointed figure to demonstrate placement, pieces of spaghetti, pieces of elastic, nothing in my house was safe during class.  The kids could come up to the screen and have a look at my props which gave a nice flow to the class and also really helped impart what I was trying to teach them. For Preschool and young school-age classes, the chance to introduce magic into the class was wonderful.  I could pretend my Cinderella Princess figurine had given me a high heel shoe that would lead us onto our tippy-toe walks.
6. Use spotlight: The spotlight feature on Zoom is a wonderful motivational tool.  The pride and excitement the students show when they are chosen to demonstrate a step on spotlight seems even greater than in the studio, particularly when mum or dad is in the next room. Spotlight is not only great for the students chosen but also a fantastic learning tool for other students to see what you are expecting of them.  As always when rewarding students in this way, be very aware of how many times students are chosen to demonstrate and reward effort over ability. You might find this article on giving praise to dancers within a Growth Mindset framework useful.
7. Use chat and share screen: The chat feature is a great feature of Zoom.  Unmuting can be arduous.  However, with the Private chat feature, you can ask students a question and they can answer publicly or privately.  For example, if you wanted to ask a little ballet theory question, having students answer using the Private Chat feature gives all students a chance to answer.  The chat is also great for worksheets, escape room type challenges, and more.  Share screen is great (well except for the fact that it takes about a thousand clicks and swipes to get there but once you have it working, it has so many uses.  You can share worksheets, you can share photos, you can do quizzes, and have the students answer using chat.
8. Use groups:  Just as in the studio, having students perform their work in smaller groups whilst other students watch has all the advantages of doing so in the studio.  It creates a nice rhythm in the class, it gives you a better chance to see students and it works as a learning experience for those watching
9. Private lessons work:  Private lessons on ZOOM are GREAT, in particular lessons focussing on technique and strengthening and conditioning.  Working one on one you can set goals, you can hone in on areas of flexibility or technique, and work on them with a level of focus and time that is just not available in a studio setting.  Depending on school commitments it is sometimes possible to hold these during the day.
10. Consider introducing other ideas:   Just like you choose what you teach, Zoom also gives you the opportunity to incorporate other material into your lessons.  The Growth Mindset and Success Mindset and Goal setting worksheet packs are perfect for sharing on Zoom.

You can find more Studio Shutdown resources here or if you would like to download a pack of free resources for teaching online just enter your email below.

Welcome back to dance coloring page

Please enjoy these free welcome back to dance coloring pages.  As some of us will be returning to in person learning and some returning via Zoom, there are  Zoom and non-Zoom boy and girl pages. With restrictions on handing things out in class, you may find it preferable to email the sheets before the first class or just provide the google drive link for your parents to download the sheets as they please.  These are a lovely way to scaffold the return to dance and are always a hit with Preschoolers young school aged dancers.  Just enter your email below to download these free back to dance colouring pages.

These colouring pages are part of the Preschool Ballet Blueprint, the bestselling Preschool ballet curriculum that actually prepares Preschool aged students for formal ballet training. The Blueprint is your guide to providing a quality, well organised and popular Preschool Ballet program.  The Blueprint has been tried and tested over many years and comes complete with fully choreographed syllabus, playlist, guide to promoting good behaviour as well as common faults and how to fix them.  You can learn more about the Preschool Ballet Blueprint here and find a full range of colouring and activity sheets here.

Zoom Ballet Games and Activities

With most of us stuck on Zoom for a while longer, finding ways to keep our students motivated and engaged is more important than ever.  This selection of Zoom Ballet Games and Activities is an absolute HIT with my students.  Each game or activity comes with a variety of versions so that you can adapt them to your students.  There are Zoom Ballet Games for beginners through to advanced students.

The Zoom Ballet Games and Activities pack include

• Younger children love the Ballet Terms scavenger hunt which includes tracing exercises and a variety to levels of Scavenger Hunt to suit age and theory knowledge
• The Ballet in a picture exercises are an absolute HIT with intermediate to advanced students  with a range of adaptations and suggestions
• Princess Pandemonium is designed for beginner to intermediate students and provides an opportunity to connect favorite Princess stories with Ballet terms – fun and laughter-filled scavenger hunt activities follow.
• Famous Ballets – Activities based around Famous Ballets are popular for intermediate to advanced students and work very well in Breakout rooms.  Once again different options allow for adaptation to different levels
• Choreography challenges are also a fantastic activity for intermediate to advanced students and another great chance to work in breakout rooms.

You can learn more about the Zoom Ballet Games and activities pack here.

Keeping motivated with online classes can be a challenge at times, but these activities certainly help keep students engaged and having fun whilst brushing up on their ballet theory. There are 14 pages of Zoom ballet games and activities, designed especially to engage your ballet students while we engage in online learning.

You can find more resources for Zoom classes  here and other studio shutdown resources here

Zoom dance class resource kit

Are you looking for some Zoom dance class resources for your online dance classes?  Are you trying to find ways to keep your dancers motivated during lockdown?  Please enjoy this Dance at Home survival kit. Included in the kit are a range of Zoom dance class resources for you to share with your dancers.  These are designed to help you connect with your dancers, to help keep them motivated, and to use as a springboard for more activities. 

Worksheets include

1. Online Dance Timetable – this is perfect for keeping track of online Zoom dance classes.
2. Class Reflection – dancers can fill out their class reflection after each Zoom or Online class.  This is also something that you can discuss together as part of the class.  Depending on the size of your class, dancers can share their reflection or you might like them to email it to you.
3. Motivation – again, this is a great online Zoom dance class resource that can be incorporated into a Zoom class or given as homework. This worksheet challenges dancers to reflect on what motivates them.  This is ever more relevant in our current situation as dancers struggle to maintain their motivation in an online environment.  There are several suggestions which can be explored further.  For example, you may challenge your dancers to create a vision board or share Spotify Playlists with each other.  
4. Weekly Stretch Chart – being at home is the perfect time to work on flexibility.  You can fill in the chart with stretches you would like them to do or have them work on their own stretch program.  Once again this could be done as a group exercise on Zoom.
5. Stretch Tracker – this is a great visual representation to help dancers stay motivated to keep working on their flexibility.  It comes with built-in rewards and extra little motivation.  Have your dancers share their Stretch Tracker at the end of their online class.
6. Dedication to Dance – This worksheet works with the Don’t Break the Chain theory of motivation.  The more days in a row that a dancer demonstrates their dedication to dance, the less likely they are to lose their motivation. Dedication to Dance might be taking a zoom dance class, it might be practicing stretching or for younger children, coloring a picture, or doing a dance-related craft.

All these Zoom dance class resources are perfect for incorporating into your classes and are designed to help keep our students motivated during this challenging time.   You can download your free copy by entering your email address below.

For more online Zoom Dance Class Resources, check the mega studio shutdown worksheet bundle, the “We miss you” coloring sheets., or the range of Ballet Activity Packs available here.

Studio Shutdown Resources

As lockdown continues around the world, we as dance teachers are finding ourselves increasingly challenged to stay in touch with our students.   These “We miss you, see you soon” ballet coloring pages for boys and girls are perfect to share with your students. Whether you share them by email or even regular post, they are just a little something to help brighten their day and let your students  know you are thinking of them. You can download your free coloring pages by entering your email below.   If you are looking for more dance teacher resources to help keep connected with your students, including more coloring pages, activity packs, theory packs, growth mindset packs and more you can find the Resources for Dance Teachers store.

You can find more Studio Shutdown resources, including a mega bundle of worksheets to share with your dancers here.

Download Ballet Activity Packs for studio shutdowns

Due to popular demand, Resources for Dance Teachers is pleased to present a second ballet activity pack. Studios have found these packs so useful to stay connected with their younger students. (Though just quietly, some of my not-so-young students have enjoyed these as well!) These activity packs were first conceived as a resource to keep little hands busy backstage at competitions and recitals and as a dance camp resource. However, with the 2020 Covid-19 studio shutdowns, these activity packs have really come into their own.  They are the perfect way to keep in touch with your youngest students, keep them connected with the studio, and connected with dance.  The activities included are designed to be fun and distracting for young children and to appeal to their love of ballet and dance. This Ballet Activity pack includes 11 pages of activities including

• Coloring pages
• Mazes
• Spot the difference
• Tracing activities
• Join the dots
• Word scrambles
• Counting
• Sorting

The downloadable Ballet Activity pack comes as a complete booklet along with a link to download individual sheets if you prefer.  This makes it even easier to share online if you would like to space out sending the sheets.  If you would like to download a free sample to test the pack out, just pop your email below and receive this counting activity.

If you are looking for more activities to keep your dancers engaged we have got you covered.

You might like the original

Ballet Activity Pack

or the range of Growth Mindset and Goal setting packs designed for older students

The Mega ballet theory activity pack has a huge range of activities from theory match, crosswords, word searches, flashcards, and more for your students of all ages to engage with their theory studies.  This is one of our best-selling resources and I know from personal experience, I have turned my theory-hating students into a bunch of total theory nerds!!!

Dance Studio shutdown resources

For many of us it has happened, rather sooner than we thought -dance schools have had to close their doors due to Covid-19.  Aside from offering online classes, what else can you do to stay connected to your students and keep them engaged with dance during this dance studio shutdown.  Resources for Dance teachers is committed to helping to provide dance teachers with resources that enhance and promote best practice dance teaching, however that may look in these challenging times. In this spirit, please enjoy this range of FREE dance teacher resources that you can use to stay in touch with your students during dance studio shutdowns and help keep them focussed, hopeful, and entertained.

Included in the free Dance Studio Shutdown resource kit is

1.  The Power of Yet from the Growth Mindset Resource kits, helping dancers understand that just because they are struggling with a certain skill now it is only a matter of time and effort before they achieve it.  Adding YET to the end of can’t sentences has an amazing impact.
2. SMART goals, an introduction – from the Goal setting for Dancers resource pack, this worksheet helps scaffold the process of setting SMART goals and breaks down the latest research into goal setting for young dance students
3. My Goal Setting worksheet – also from the Goal setting for Dancers resource pack, this worksheet is perfect for younger dancers to start exploring the goal-setting process
4. Failure versus Wisdom – this worksheet is from the Success Mindset for Dancers resource pack and looks at the concept of failure versus wisdom.  It helps introduce the concept that failure is just another stepping stone to success, something we can learn from.  After a failure we can choose to focus on the failure or the wisdom, that is the lesson we have learned, a powerful concept framed just for dancers
5. The every popular Ballet Theory Quiz, test your budding ballerinas with this cute quiz – based on the Mega Ballet Theory activity pack
6. Color and Trace – delightful for younger ballet students and part of the Ballet Activity pack
7. Stretch Tracker – what better way to utilize time off than to start working on flexibility – this cute stretch tracker will keep your dancers on track.
8. 2 cute Preschool coloring pages from the Preschool Printable pack to help you reach out to your tiny dancers while the studio is closed
9. Dance competition reflection – why not use the time to reflect on a previous dance completion and learn valuable skills for the next one.  This is part of the Success Mindset for Competitive Dancers Resource Kit – one of our bestselling kits.  This kit offers a complete mindset reset and has a tremendous impact on young dancers, giving them the skills to turn up week in, week out and not only deal with but thrive on the rough and tumble of the competitive dance circuit.  Change the mindset, change EVERYTHING!

To download your free Dance Studio Shutdown kit, just enter your email below.

You may also be interested in some of these articles.

Growth Mindset for Dancers – turning can’t into can

What to teach 3-year-olds in dance class

5 tools every Preschool Dance Teacher needs