Great Moves! Contemporary issues for maintenance, curriculum, organization, and success for dance educators
"A Simple Thank You Will Do"
The hard working, well-meaning parents who faithfully bring their children to classes, rehearsals and performances week after week, month after month and year after year generally expect for their children to learn to dance and be happy while they're learning. Parents place their trust and money in the hands of the instructor in return for progress and growth in their children as they study dance. Lessons, costumes, travel and dance supplies are provided regardless of the silent sacrifices parents sometimes have to make to secure these things for their children. One thing parents rarely receive in exchange for the sacrifice is a simple "Thank you."
Eighteen years as a parent and 25 years as a dance instructor have given me the chance to view the studio from many perspectives. Children very often are adults before they suddenly turn around and say, "Hey, Mom and Dad, thank you!" It isn't because they aren't appreciative or don't have good manners. Children generally understand early in their careers what parents give up so the children can dance. They need good examples of teachers giving thanks to parents for the support and devotion they show their children. Children who witness other people thanking their parents for something the child benefits from are children who appreciate their opportunities throughout life.
The holidays are a time when children are typically on the receiving end of the gift giving that occurs. Why not help your students thank their parents for the dance lessons they are receiving? While the following projects take some extra time, effort and minimal expense on your part, the lesson of gratitude you are teaching your students is well worth it. If you aren't completely sure, look out in the parking lot and seriously watch your families as they come into the studio. Observe how carefully and thoughtfully they open car doors, hold hands, operate car seats and safety belts, and constantly talk with their young children. Look at the tiny, patient smiles of the parents dropping off teenagers who slam car doors without even a good-bye. And look into the eyes of every parent as they watch their sons and daughters happily skip across the studio floor. To see happiness in their children's faces is reward enough for most parents, but to get an actual thank-you is the icing on that smiling face.
The following projects are meant to serve as inspiration for ways you can help your students show their appreciation this holiday season. Dancers are some of the most all-around creative individuals in the arts world. Some time, research and shopping will help you come up with a cost effective and simple idea of your own. Creating art is about listening to the world around us. The art itself is about sharing that vision with others.
PICTURE ORNAMENTS:
The supplies you'll need include: digital or Polaroid camera, ready-made foam or pre-cut paper frames available from a scrapbooking supply store, ribbon, adhesive (double sided tape or glue dots,) small preprinted thank you notes, and a hole punch tool.
Tell your students that you are going to help them make a gift for their parents and the project will take several classes to finish. Devote a few minutes each week to creating this hanging picture ornament that parents will love. Here is a suggested schedule:
Week 1-take individual photos of each child in class and develop.
Week 2-mount the photos in the frames, punch holes and thread
ribbon for hanging.
Week 3-have children sign thank you notes and send the gifts
home.
GREAT MOVE! Provide students with paper and markers one week and help them create "Thank You! I Love You!" posters. Keep the posters in the studio and the next week take a group photo of the class with each child holding their poster. Make enough reprints of the photo for each child and give out the following week to take home to parents.
"I LOVE DANCE!" REPORT:
The supplies you'll need include: digital or Polaroid camera, pre-printed "I Love Dance" reports (see example,) pens or markers, envelopes.
Divide this project into several weeks allowing students who miss class the time to prepare a report.
Week 1-take individual student photos while they are dancing
in class
Week 2- give students the pre-printed dance report form and pens or markers. Read the report aloud to the class and help
students complete the blanks.
Week 3-have students place photos and reports in an envelope and address to their parents and send them home.
Sample "I Love Dance" report form:
Dear______________
I love dance because _________________. This is some of what we have learned: 1.________ 2.________ 3. ________
Thank you for my dance lessons!
Love,
___________________
GREAT MOVE! Have children address the envelopes to their parents at home or work. Collect and mail the letters the following day. Parents will enjoy receiving the letters and students will enjoy surprising their parents.
HOLIDAY CARD
WITH PICTURE INSERT:
Blank greeting cards are available at craft and scrapbook supply stores. Purchase enough for your students and take pictures in class. The following week, help students insert their pictures into the cards or glue onto the front. Supply a list of suggested sentiments to write inside the card. Examples include:
"Thanks to dance, Mom/Dad, I love you even more!"
"Your dancer says, I Love You and Thank You"
"I Love Dance. I Love You!
Thank you."
"Thank you for everything!"
GREAT MOVE! Even though you may be tempted to have a professional photographer provide the pictures for these mementos, pictures of your students while in class make these ideas more meaningful by showing your students in their learning moments.
The holidays wear us out with all the extras we do. These multidisciplinary projects of appreciation help boost students' self-esteem and show the parents how grateful you are for their trust. Extras worth doing!
Joy Held is the author of Writer Wellness, A Writer's Path to Health and Creativity (2003) from New Leaf Books. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher-500 and teaches for Marietta College in Ohio and in her private studio. Her family has owned and operated dance schools in West Virginia for over 50 years. She can be contacted at www.writerwellness.com or greatmoves@hotmail.com.