What to Expect in Your Child's First Ballet Class: A Guide for Preschool Parents

By Stephanie Gronholz, Studio Owner & Director
Master's in Education | 20+ Years Teaching Experience

If you're considering a ballet program in Spokane for your preschooler, you're probably wondering what actually happens in a dance class for such young children. As someone who has spent 20 years working with children—both in educational settings and as a dance instructor—I want to give you a clear picture of what quality early childhood ballet looks like and why it's so beneficial for your child's development.

The Magic of Age-Appropriate Ballet

Many parents worry that ballet for preschoolers might be too structured or demanding. The truth is, well-designed pre-ballet classes are perfectly suited to how young children naturally learn and develop. At Sandra's Studio of Dance, our 30-minute pre-ballet classes are carefully crafted to match the attention spans, motor skills, and cognitive abilities of 3-5 year olds.

Inside a Typical Class: What Your Child Will Experience

The Comforts of Consistency (5 minutes)

Every class begins the same way: guided by our instructor and her assistants, children find their special "dots" on the floor and we move through our familiar warm-up sequence. This predictable start serves multiple purposes that align with early childhood development principles:

• Builds confidence through mastery of known movements

• Signals transition from everyday activities to our special dance time

• Activates imagination while introducing foundational ballet concepts

• Develops body awareness as we identify and move different body parts

Circle Work: Learning to Move Together (8 minutes)

Young children are naturally egocentric—they're still learning to be part of a group. Our circle work gently introduces this concept while building gross motor skills. Children learn to move clockwise and counter-clockwise using runs, marches, and gallops. This isn't just playing; it's developing spatial awareness, following directions, and understanding patterns.

Footwork and Handwork on Our Dots (7 minutes)

This is where my educational background really informs our approach. We understand that fine motor development happens at different rates. Some children have just mastered the "pincer grasp" (bringing thumb and index finger together), while others are ready for "ballet fingers" (thumb to middle finger, which prepares hand positioning for later ballet training).

We meet each child where they are. No rushing, no pressure—just gentle encouragement and celebration of each small victory.

Age-Appropriate "Technique" (5 minutes)

When people hear "ballet technique" for preschoolers, they might imagine tiny dancers struggling with complex positions. Our approach is completely different. We introduce fundamental movements like pliés (bending knees) and sautés (jumping) in ways that feel natural and playful to young bodies.

Some dancers can jump independently on one foot, while others need a supporting hand as they develop this skill. Both are exactly where they should be, and we honor that.

Imaginative Movement Integration (3 minutes)

Children learn best through imagination and story. This portion of class weaves together everything we're developing—small motor skills, large motor skills, creativity, and expression—into cohesive, engaging activities that don't feel like "work." We often incorporate props like scarves, tambourines, and wands to enhance the imaginative experience and give children tactile elements to explore as they move.

Across the Floor: Big Steps (2 minutes)

The class builds toward these larger movements: gallops, skips, and leaps across our studio space. By this point in their time together, children have warmed up, practiced components, and are ready for the joy of bigger expression.

Closing Ritual: The Curtsey

We end every class with curtseys to show appreciation for our teachers and the music. This isn't about formality—it's about gratitude, respect, and creating a sense of completion.

What Your Child Will Actually Learn

Parents often ask what concrete skills their child will gain. Here's what typically develops over a year of classes:

Physical Development:

• Improved balance and coordination

• Stronger core muscles and better posture

• Enhanced spatial awareness

• Development of both fine and gross motor skills

Cognitive Growth:

• Following multi-step directions

• Pattern recognition and memory skills

• Understanding of rhythm and musicality

• Beginning concepts of sequence and structure

Social-Emotional Benefits:

• Comfort in group settings

• Taking turns and sharing space

• Self-expression and awareness of emotions

• Building confidence through mastery

Pre-Ballet Foundations:

• Basic ballet positions (adapted for their age)

• Fundamental actions that will support future dance training

• Appreciation for music and rhythm

• Understanding of dance as an art form

Addressing Common Parent Concerns

"Is my child too young to start ballet?" Children as young as 3 can absolutely benefit from quality pre-ballet instruction at our dance studio. The key is ensuring the program is designed specifically for their developmental stage—not a simplified version of older children's classes. Children younger than three often don't have the developmental skills to be independent in class, so we offer a parent-caregiver class for them called "Tiny Toes."

"What if my child is shy or has trouble following directions?" In my 20 years of teaching, I've worked with children of all temperaments and learning styles. Our small class sizes and individualized approach help every child feel comfortable and successful.

"Will this be too much structure for my active child?" Our pre-ballet class is designed for children ages 3-5 and actually helps active children learn to channel their energy purposefully while still getting plenty of movement and creative expression. 

We also offer a 45-minute pre-ballet class on Thursday mornings called "Ballet School." This extended timeframe gives us extra time for literacy and numeracy activities, and we also practice more non-dance skills, like putting on our shoes and having conversations.

"Do parents stay and watch?" Parents don't stay in the room during class. While you get to watch class once per trimester, having parents observe regularly is distracting and takes away from the children's developing sense of independence. This separation actually helps children focus better and builds their confidence in following instructions from their teacher.

“What comes next?” Once children are 5 and in kindergarten, they are ready for our Pre-Primary class, the first level of the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus.

Why Choose Sandra's Studio of Dance

When you're trusting someone with your child's first dance experience, credentials matter. Here's what sets our ballet studio program apart: a focus on both classical ballet training and creative expression. Pre-ballet offers your child so much more than just dance steps. It's a foundation for physical confidence, creative expression, social skills, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. If you're ready to see your child light up with the joy of movement, or if you have questions about whether our program is right for your Spokane family, we'd love to talk with you.

Stephanie Gronholz is the co-owner and director of Sandra's Studio of Dance, located on Spokane's South Hill. With 20 years of experience in education and early childhood development, she is passionate about creating positive first experiences in dance for young children.

Ready to learn more? Contact us at 509-838-7464, or email us at spokanestudioofdance@gmail.com Ready to enroll? Click the link below!