When is it too much?

Competition season is being developed for this year.  My daughter is 8 and is supposed to be in 5 numbers this year. 
The history: We did one solo tap number her first year. Fun.  No real group/team feeling because she was the only one in her age range.  Last year we did a tap solo and a tap duo.  More fun because she had one other girl but still not part of the big competition team.  This year I thought we may have 3 and that would be a challenge.  Two was hard to manage to be honest last year.  Rehearsals,  costumes, weekend competitions, etc.  She was offered 5 numbers thi year.  She could do a solo if she wanted.  Of course she does and she chose hip hop.  (More thoughts on that choice later.)  She is in a small group tap number.  So cute.  A little jazz trio.  Adorable.  A full company hip hop and full company musical theater tap number.  I asked her which she wanted to not audition for.  None.  She wanted them all and loves them all.  As a matter of fact, her solo is probably her least favorite number at this point and I think it's because she is alone.  I am just getting it in my head that she wants people around her all the time.
The dilema: Is 5 numbers too many?  2 were difficult to manage.  Let's not even factor in cost for this one.  Just time and scheduling.  5 means the dance studio 7 days a week, every week. 
Our studio learns competition numbers for a season and competes once a month for that season which is 6 months. 
Competitions are the same as on "Dance Moms" TV show.  Which brings me to my next thought... Is 5 numbers any worse of different than those girls learning new numbers every comepeition?  It also gives an impression that they compete more frequently than monthly.
We are letting her try the 5.  It is every day and we feel the pressure of the schedule already but I'll let you know how it goes.

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.