First Class Checklist: 10 Dance Teacher Essentials (Part 2)

Welcome back to the Dance to Learn® Podcast — the Preschool Dance Teacher’s Podcast with your host, Jessica Strong! This week, we’re wrapping up our special two-part series with the final 5 of 10 essential preparations every dance teacher should make before starting a new season.

If you're ready to kick off your classes with confidence and connection, this episode is for you. These final steps cover everything from choosing the right music and props to engaging families, planning for flexibility, and supporting students with separation anxiety.

🩰 In This Episode, You’ll Learn How To:

• Curate the perfect movement-centered playlist
• Enhance learning through multi-sensory props
• Engage families to improve student retention
• Stay flexible and responsive to class dynamics
• Ease separation anxiety with comfort strategies and Parent & Me classes

🎉 Challenge Reminder!
Don’t forget — the Back to Dance Teacher Challenge kicks off July 1st inside the Dance to Learn® Membership! You’ll receive tips, tools, and resources including:
✔ Email templates
✔ Printable visuals
✔ First class certificates
✔ Separation anxiety mini-course
✔ Bonus lessons and more!
Accept the Challenge 👉 https://library.dancetolearn.co/pages/back-to-dance-challenge

📣 Want to be featured on the podcast?
Join the Preschool Dance Teacher’s Forum on Facebook and submit your questions every Friday–Monday through our Ask the Pod post — or email Jessica at podcast@dancetolearn.co.

📌 Links Mentioned in the Episode:

• Join the Back to Dance Teacher Challenge → https://library.dancetolearn.co/pages/join-us
• Preschool Dance Teacher’s Forum (Facebook Group) → https://www.facebook.com/groups/preschooldanceteachersforum
• Email your question: podcast@dancetolearn.co

Until next time… Happy Dancing!

Transcript

Welcome back to the Dance to Learn® Podcast — the Preschool Dance Teacher’s Podcast! I’m your host, Jessica Strong, and a big thank you to our Season 6 sponsor, Dance Dance Hooray!

Today's episode is Part 2 of a two part event! Last week I shared the first 5 steps of 10 Essential Steps every dance teacher should take when preparing for a new dance class. In Today’s episode, I’m sharing the next 5 steps!  

Before I leap into our topic today, I want to pause and remind you of my hope for the Podcast. My goal for the Dance to Learn® podcast is to elevate real voices from our dance teaching community — yours! I want to hear your stories, questions, and challenges, and help you feel more confident in your classroom. This is a new layout for the podcast, so it’s going to take me talking about it for the first few episodes to get the word out!

Do You Want to be featured on the show?
 Join the Preschool Dance Teacher’s Forum on Facebook, where you’ll find our weekly Ask the Pod post every Friday. Drop your questions there through Monday evening. Then on Tuesday, I open Pod Talk, a chance for your fellow teachers to chime in with their tips and advice.

If your question is selected, I’ll feature you using your first name and last initial — or you can remain anonymous by emailing me at podcast@dancetolearn.co and I’ll post on your behalf.

Be sure to check the show notes for the link to the Forum. I can't wait to hear from you!

Today’s Episode is Part 2 of a 2 Part series all about preparing for a successful first class of a new dance season! This two part series is also a kick off to our upcoming Back to Dance Teacher Challenge happening exclusively in the Dance to Learn® Community! Every month we host a different Dance Teacher Challenge designed to help dance teachers and studio owners plan, prepare and prioritize different stages of the dance season whether it’s the first dance classes of a new season, planning a teaching schedule, starting choreography for Winter and Spring Showcases, Summer Camps and more! Our Back to Dance Challenge is going to be packed full of important tips for preparing the classroom for success with information on how to welcome new families, making preparations for separation anxiety, sending a nurture email series to parents, and exciting classroom printables to celebrate a dancers’ first day at your studio! 

I’ve shared a link to join the Back to Dance Challenge in the Show Notes! It starts July 1st 2025!

A new season of dance is fast approaching! Like you, we’re filled with excited anticipation as we prepare and plan for the new season. Planning can be fun and thrilling, but we know that successfully engaging our students in the classroom is the key to a great first class. Teaching preschool-aged children, especially in dance, requires thoughtful planning and preparation. That's why we've compiled 10 Essential Tips to help elevate your class from just a plan to an easy-to-implement strategy! Today I’m going to share 5 more Preparations of a Successful first dance class! 

In case you missed it, let me quickly recap the first Essential 5 Steps for Preparing your First Dance Class: 

1. The Importance of Planning your Preschool Dance Class: I discussed the importance of using Themes and Dance Concepts to create a Conceptualized-Thematic Dance Experience! 

2. Creating a Predictable Routine for your Preschool Dance Class: Having a consistent Class Flow is going to help your dancers feel safe, understand their expectations and know what comes next! 

3. Creating a Sensory-Enriched Environment: Checking your props, visual aids, and music is the best way to ensure you are engaging each of the 4 learning types in your class. 

4. Implementing Classroom Management Strategies: Reviewing your Classroom Management strategies before your first class is going to help you be prepared for any behaviors that may disrupt your class. 

5. Mastering Transitions in Dance Class: Planning your transitions is so important as this is when you are most likely to lose your dancers’ focus! 

Those were the first 5 of the 10 Essential Dance Preparations. Now let me get into the next 5 steps.

Before I get into today’s episode let’s hear from our Season 6 Sponsor - Dance Dance Hooray! 

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Thank You to Corey at Dance Dance Hooray for creating our Tap Curriculum for our members!

6. Curating the Perfect Movement-Centered Playlists 

Creating the perfect playlist for your dance class can be one of the most time-consuming tasks in lesson planning. The right music should seamlessly match the theme and concept while providing captivating action words or movement prompts. Here are some tips to make this process easier and more effective: 

• Search for Themed Playlists: Instead of searching for individual songs, look for playlists that already match your theme. This can save you a lot of time as someone else may have already compiled a great list that fits your needs. 
• Select Songs with Strong Action Cues: Choose songs with clear action words in the lyrics, such as "Let's march like dinosaurs!" or "Let's shake our hands!" These songs provide built-in movement prompts that are easy to incorporate into your class. Just make sure the songs align with your theme and dance concept. For example, avoid songs about cars if your theme is dinosaurs. 
• Choose Dynamic Instrumental Music: If you prefer instrumental music, look for compositions with lots of dynamic changes, such as tempo shifts, changes in pitch, or variations in volume. These elements will keep the music engaging and interesting for your students, compared to a tune that stays the same throughout. 

By following these tips, you can create playlists that enhance your dance lessons and keep your students engaged and motivated. 

I know how time consuming finding the perfect music for our classes can be! That’s why I include embedded playlists and song suggestions in each of our Dance EdVentures! 

7. Enhancing Learning with Multi-Sensory Props 

Using multi-sensory props is essential for teaching dance to young children, especially during the foundational years. These props make lessons more engaging and help children learn through various senses. Here are some types of props to consider: 

• Group Props: Parachutes and stretchy bands encourage teamwork and group activities.
• Manipulatives: Scarves and teddy bears provide hands-on learning experiences. 
• Musical Props: Egg shakers and small instruments add a musical element to your classes. 
• Balancing Props: Balance beams and domes help improve coordination and balance.
• Jumping Props: Cones and similar items create fun, active challenges. 

Once you have your props, think about how to connect them to your chosen themes and dance concepts. For example, if you have a "Wheels on the Bus" theme and want to teach the concept of Action, you could: Use balance beams to create a roadway system. Use red, green, and yellow poly dots to represent traffic lights. Set up cones to simulate a road under construction. With these props, have your dancers move along the roads, stop at red lights, move slowly at yellow lights, and go at green lights. This makes learning the concept of Action interactive and fun, while also reinforcing the theme. 

By carefully selecting and linking props to your lesson themes and concepts, you create a dynamic and educational dance environment for your young students. 

Finding the right props, just like the right music for our classes can also be a challenge! Like our embedded playlists, all of our Ready-to-Teach Dance EdVentures include shoppable props lists to help you with this task! 

8. Engaging Families for Better Student Retention 

Family engagement is one of the most important factors in keeping students enrolled in your dance classes. When families feel involved, they are more likely to return to your studio time and time again. Here are some effective ways to engage both your students and their families:

• Sticker Sheets: Create a sticker sheet that features the dance moves your dancers will learn in the first four weeks of class. Once they complete the first four weeks, they can take home their completed sticker sheet. Make sure to list the skills learned on the sheet so parents can ask their child to show them the dance moves! 
• Coloring Pages: Design themed coloring pages that also depict the dance concepts being taught. This not only informs parents about what their child is learning but also provides a fun activity to keep students engaged at home. You can even start a Student Art Gallery with completed coloring pages that are returned, which becomes a great talking point for both existing and new families. 
• Dance Studio Challenge: Organize a Dance Studio Challenge for the first four weeks of class. Set expectations and guidelines, such as: 
  • Coming to class in the proper dress code. 
  • Perfect attendance for the first four weeks. 
  • Bringing water bottles to class. 
  • Changing from ballet to tap shoes within a set time frame. 

Classes that complete the challenge can be entered into a raffle for a fun Dance Party Day, where they can wear whatever they want and have a student-choice lesson! By implementing these family engagement strategies, you can create a more connected and committed community within your dance studio, leading to better student retention and a more enjoyable experience for everyone involved. 

9. The Importance of Flexibility in Preschool Dance Classes 

Flexibility is essential when teaching preschoolers. Be ready to adjust your lesson plan based on the needs and dynamics of the class. If something isn’t working, don’t hesitate to try a different approach. Having a few backup activities is very helpful. Even though we plan our lessons in advance, it’s important to be prepared to change the plan if students seem disengaged. Every child learns at their own pace, so having extra activities ready can help fill any gaps. It’s better to have too many activities than not enough. Take some time to plan backup activities. These can be used if you need to adjust your class or if your original plan isn't keeping the students' attention. Being prepared with extra activities ensures you can maintain a smooth and engaging class, no matter what happens. 

10. Addressing Separation Anxiety in Preschool Dance Classes 

One of the most common challenges when teaching young children is dealing with separation anxiety. This is especially prevalent in children ages 3-5 but can also affect older dancers. Creating a plan to help children who suffer from separation anxiety is crucial for a successful dance season. Here are some strategies to support these children: 

• Comfort Buddy System: Introduce a Comfort Buddy System. Encourage dancers to bring a "comfort buddy," such as a stuffed animal, to class. Here's how to gradually ease the child into being comfortable without their buddy: 
  • First Class: The comfort buddy participates in the dance class. 
  • Second Class: The comfort buddy starts dancing with us but then becomes an audience member. 
  • Third Class: The comfort buddy stays in the audience the whole time. 
  • Fourth Class: The comfort buddy watches from outside the classroom. 

- Parent and Me Dance Classes: Having a Parent and Me dance class for children under 3 years old can significantly help with separation anxiety. Here are some benefits: Building Rapport: Use 8-10 weeks of a Parent and Me class to get to know the child and caregiver. This helps build a strong relationship, making the transition to independent classes smoother.

- Gradual Separation: The presence of a parent or caregiver provides a sense of security, allowing children to gradually get used to the class environment. 

- Strengthening Bonds: These classes not only ease separation anxiety but also strengthen the bond between parent and child through shared activities. 

- Flexibility for Families: Offering Parent and Me classes ensures you don't have to turn families away. Instead, you provide an option that supports both the child and the parent, fostering a positive experience with your studio. 

I’m sharing a Separation Anxiety mini course inside of our Back to Dance Teacher Challenge which happens exclusively in the Dance to Learn Membership starting on July 1st! The link to accept the challenge is in the show notes! 

By implementing these strategies, you can create a supportive environment that helps children overcome separation anxiety and enjoy their dance classes.

There you have it! The Complete 10 Preparations you should make before teaching your first dance class of a new season! Don’t forget our Back to Dance Challenge is starting exclusively in the Dance to Learn® Community on July 1st! This Challenge will run for 30 days on a drip schedule where I share tips, guidelines and how to. You will also unlock resources such as email templates, checklists, and first class printables like coloring pages and certificates that your students can enjoy! The link to accept the Challenge is in the Show  Notes! 

If you want your questions answered on the show - join us for Ask the Pod every Friday-Monday in the Preschool Dance Teacher’s Forum on Facebook! The link to join is in the ShowNotes!