Should your child practice dance?

In this mom's opinion, the answer is a strong "Yes."

If they take piano, they practice.
If they play soccer, they practice.
If they learn karate, they practice


Dance is another thing to learn. To learn you practice. You learn the steps/moves, the names of them, the correct positioning, posture. It is about learning something the best you can and about discipline around health, body, and mind. They will learn far more than dance by practicing.

Children do homework for what they are learning in school.  All sports have formal practice.  Dance is another place to help children learn to learn well and to learn to "practice like you play".

What to take to dance recitals

The Obvious
Costumes
Shoes
Costume Accessories
Bag and/or garment bag to carry it all

The Look

Makeup-shadow, lips, cheeks, lashes
false lashes (sometimes)

Hair
brushes
comb
spray
accessories
bobbypins
hairagami, bun clip
hair net
water mister/bottle/sprayer/detangler

Emergency items (they do happen)
sewing kit
sharpie marker
money
safety pins

Activities-clean downtime activity
video games
crayons and books
books

Basic Needs-Food and Clothing
comfort clothes- for in between and after- zipper or button front if wearing before
water- no juices or dark drinks
clean snacks- pretzels, licorice- avoid cheese curls and chocolate

Memory Recording
camera
video
phone

After The Show
flowers/gift are traditional
Start your own traditional gift(ornament, photo frame, some kind of figurine, etc)
possibly dinner money or cast party money 

When should I start my child in dance lessons?

That depends on your child. 
Children start anywhere from 2 to 5 normally.
Ask yourself the following questions......

*Can your child follow directions?

*Does your child feel comfortable in a crowd?

*How easily distracted is your child?

*Does your child enjoy music? –sings along, sways or dances to music, laughs and enjoys music

*Is your child in day care or at home?
Children in daycare have a tendency to learn classroom structure and etiquette sooner; therefore they are less likely to be the child disrupting the whole class.

*Does your child take criticism well? 

*Have you considered different types of dance schools? 
Some are just about fun, some very serious about instruction and technique, many are in the middle.  It is a good idea to go observe the class your child would be in.  Many schools will even let you have a trial lesson to see if it works for you and your child and possibly the school.