https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 20 May 2026 19:55:45 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-start-dd-in-dance#post-2480965 Wed, 02 Mar 2016 01:48:00 +0000 erinpye 2480965@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think 3 is a great age to start! I danced from a very young age, starting at 2, and did it for 20 years. My daughters both love to dance and my eldest, 3, loved the little ballet classes I put her in last Summer. We plan on doing it again this Summer! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-start-dd-in-dance#post-2480790 Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:44:54 +0000 MrsSCB 2480790@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I started at that age and I looooved it! It wasn't serious or anything. I did get serious about dance later, but at that age it was all fun :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-start-dd-in-dance#post-2480786 Tue, 01 Mar 2016 21:39:34 +0000 Mrs D 2480786@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@schubr03: Thanks for the input. For now we are just looking for some activity and fun for her. If she decides this si a passion of hers then we may pursue the competitive side. My bosses daughters both compete and I have heard and seen first hand how insane it is....so I am very much eyes wide open ;) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-start-dd-in-dance#post-2479796 Tue, 01 Mar 2016 11:20:58 +0000 schubr03 2479796@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hi! I wanted to chime in on the competitive dance side of things. If you are considering going that route, it can get pricy. My cousins own a dance studio and have quite a few competitive teams through the studio so I am been immersed in that life my entire life. The cost can get to be a lot. When I was involved when I was young, my parents paid around $2000 a year for me to be on the team (and that was with the family discount). So i would say the cost was right around $2500/year to just be on the team. This included costumes, competition dues, practice dues, and travel to and from competitions. But what it does not include is parent travel, parent lodging, any spirit apparel or team apparel, etc. So the costs can add up. </p> <p>However, their studio also has dance classes that are not for the competitive teams. These run about $40/week and include the recital costume. </p> <p>I plan on putting my daughter in to dance around the age of 2 or 3. It is a huge part of our family, so we usually start pretty early. I would suggest trying out a rec class first before going into the competitive world to make sure your daughter is committed enough and absolutely loves it 😊 Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-start-dd-in-dance#post-2479794 Tue, 01 Mar 2016 11:18:32 +0000 youboots 2479794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I will enroll my daughter in the 2s program at the studio down the street- endless energy- that one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-start-dd-in-dance#post-2479785 Tue, 01 Mar 2016 11:12:19 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 2479785@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>K will be 3 in August and we're enrolling her in a pre-dance class at the community centre in a couple of weeks. It's cheap- $43 for 9 weeks- so I'm not expecting much. But the local dance schools charge upwards of $350 plus a $90 recital costume fee...so we will wait until she's older and actually expresses interest to do that. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-start-dd-in-dance#post-2479624 Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:57:47 +0000 ksnow 2479624@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter started several months before she was 3. The class age was listed as 3-4 but I went ahead since it was a fall starting activity, and my daughter is a pretty good listener...and figured I'd just pull her out if she had an issue. She LOVES it. It's her favorite weekly activity. We pay $35/month for one 30 minute class a week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-start-dd-in-dance#post-2479620 Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:53:53 +0000 Mrs D 2479620@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@JoJoGirl: @sorrycharlie: @LuLu Mom: @yoursilverlining: @T.H.O.U.: @yin: Thanks for the responses and encouragement ladies! Makes me feel like this is definitely the right time!</p> <p>We had thought of starting her in gymnastics last fall (at 2) but decided to just participate in open gym instead. She seems to wound up to focus. But we have noticed with the dancing she actually stops to focus - rather than moving without purpose - so I think it may be a better fit now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-start-dd-in-dance#post-2479614 Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:50:21 +0000 yin 2479614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My niece started right before she turned 3 and loves it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-start-dd-in-dance#post-2479610 Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:46:06 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2479610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agre 3. It was perfect because I felt like she actually learned and was willing to go on stage. She will probably do it age 3 and 4 and that will be it unless she REALLY likes dance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-start-dd-in-dance#post-2479595 Tue, 01 Mar 2016 09:34:31 +0000 yoursilverlining 2479595@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>LO started ballet this year, at age 3. </p> <p>There are definitely mixed expectations of what classes at this age mean. For a lot of places, it’s more movement and free play. We go to a true ballet school (vs. general dance academy) and there is no horseplay or free play, even in LO’s 3’s class. It’s amazing – the teacher is SO NICE and sweet, but firm with the kids and they all listen to her and behave. (It's kind of miraculous, really!! lol) They are working on the positions (within reason, obviously), flexibility and different types of structured movement. They do barre work as well as other stuff. There are no recitals at this age, and the cost is about $130 for an 8-week (I think) session. Lo *loves* it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-start-dd-in-dance#post-2479486 Tue, 01 Mar 2016 08:37:21 +0000 LuLu Mom 2479486@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We started gymnastics at just over 3 years old. She had been wanting to do it for awhile so we decided the structure would do her well (same concept as dance.) I think it's a great age to have them start listening and following instructions from a different adult. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-start-dd-in-dance#post-2479470 Tue, 01 Mar 2016 08:26:18 +0000 sorrycharlie 2479470@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DD started at just shy of 3. She goes to a local place (Mom owned store) that offers classes. It's laid back, supportive and focuses more on teaching the kids to listen, move their bodies and socialize as opposed to strict lessons. They do a little recital late spring for the parents but it's low key, doesn't require paid tickets or paid costumes. My LO loves it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-start-dd-in-dance#post-2479466 Tue, 01 Mar 2016 08:24:16 +0000 JoJoGirl 2479466@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My LO will be 3 in May and we just started her in ballet. She LOVES it! She pays much better attention/listens a lot better than when she was in gymnastics.</p> <p>There are actually two well-known "ballet academies" in my town, but the don't even offer dance to kids that young. So we have in a more low-key studio which is cheaper. No, the teacher is not some prima ballerina.. but my LO is 2. If she really loves it, maybe we'll consider going to a more serious place when she's a little older. They charge us about $25 per 45 min class. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-age-to-start-dd-in-dance#post-2479453 Tue, 01 Mar 2016 08:17:08 +0000 Mrs D 2479453@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So...since she was about 1 year old K's daycare has been telling me she is particularly into music and dance. About 18 mos they tried to convince me to enroll her in "kinderdance" - basically a dance class they hold at daycare during the day. I could just not justify spending MORE money for no additional hours of care/activity (the class is held like while she would normally be there).</p> <p>Anyways - two weekends ago my boss invited us to come see her girls dance competition bc it was right by the house. Her girls do competitive dance and are 9 &amp; 11 yo. K was awe-struck. She was pretty quiet and subdued while we were there - but mesmerized. Now its all she can talk about. DH found a few videos of younger girls doing dance routines on youtube and its all she wants to watch and tries to dance right along.</p> <p>So I think its time to bite the bullet. She'll be 3 in September. I dont want anything that is strict or competitive right now - I really just want her to have a place where she can go hear music, move around and be social.</p> <p>Any insights into when you started your girl or boy in dance? Was it the right age? Too early? How did you find a studio? Any input on costs I should expect? </p>