1. How to prepare a child for the first lesson?

Before the first lesson, it is important to explain to the child where you are headed and what awaits him or her in order to avoid disappointment. Tell your child that during the lesson it will not be possible to dance as he or she pleases or does at home, and that there will be other children and a teacher who will ask for exercises to be performed. A child should understand that nothing is expected from him or her in the first lesson, as the child might be incapable of performing some exercises, and that is fine. The most important task is to be attentive, follow the lesson and try to do everything with joy.

2. What to wear to the first lesson?

It is advisable to choose something comfortable and in light tones in order for the child to fit into the group.
You may choose the following things for the first lessons:

• for girls: short skirts, fitting shirt with short or long sleeves, white tights or white socks, gymnastics or ballet slippers, or gripper socks;
• for boys: shorts and a t-shirt, socks or dancing slippers.

If the girl’s hair is longer than shoulder length, it should be gathered in a ponytail or a hair knot. Shorter hair should be pinned up, so that it does not fall on the child’s face.

Clothing for students of the school:

YOUNGEST GROUP (Preparatory group)
White or pink ballet costume that includes:

1. BALLET TUTU (from tulle or chiffon);
2. BALLET BODY with short or long sleeves;
3. WHITE TIGHTS (plain) or white socks;
4. BALLET SLIPPERS that may be purchased in specialised ballet stores (other types of slippers are not suitable for lessons);
5. HAIR MUST BE GATHERED INTO A KNOT. If it is not possible to do so, hair should be gathered in a ponytail with a strong hair tie, hairband or with hairpins, thus keeping the hair from falling on the child’s face.

MIDDLE-AGE AND OLDEST GROUP
Custom-made dance school uniform with the logo of the school.

3. How can the lessons be paid for?

It is possible to pay for individual lessons or purchase monthly memberships.

Prices of monthly memberships:

• Oldest PRO group  110 EUR (4 times per week)
• Intermediate Igroup  110 EUR (4 times per week
• Intermediate II EUR 100 EUR  (3 times per week)
• Youngest Hobby Class EUR 90 (2 times per week)
• Private lesson 70 EUR

Payment for individual lessons: 20 EUR per lesson

Payments for the current month must be carried out until the 10th day of the respective month.
Payments for individual lessons can be made via bank transfer (by presenting a payment order before the lesson) or in cash before the lesson.

4. How are lessons of the youngest ones organised?

At first, the youngest children are accustomed to the training process. Children of this age often do not have any previous experience; therefore, we are responsible for making the child feel as comfortable as possible. We often change up the exercises for the children not to become too exhausted, and we implement various playful elements into the lessons. We improve the children’s posture and sense of rhythm, strengthen the muscles, as well as develop their coordination skills and musical sense.

5. What happens if it is not possible to attend the lessons?

If you are missing lessons, you should inform the dance school about this as soon as possible by writing an e-mail to colourpointdej@gmail.com.

Reasons for absence and corresponding rules:

• Illness: a 50 % discount from the monthly fee is foreseen if more than 14 days are missed and a sick note is presented. If it is not possible to attend lessons for an entire month due to illness, you do not have to pay for the respective month;
• Travel: the membership fee is not reduced;
• Partial attendance: the child cannot take part in dancing competitions and events, which require the learning of choreography and in which everyone must know their place in the dance routine.
• Unjustified absence: the monthly fee is not reduced.

6. What should I do if my child refuses to go to the lessons?

You should look for the reason. Think, whether your child is really interested in dancing and whether it brings joy to him/her, whether the child enjoys watching ballet and dance performances. If the child dances and moves when hearing music at home, he or she is most likely interested in dancing. In this case, the child has most likely come across difficulties in the work process, perhaps a routine has occurred and the child needs support and encouragement from his/her parents. One of the suggestions is to agree on a specific period of time, during which the child should continue going to lessons, for example, a period of 3 months or until the end of the season (preferable option). During the season, various events take place at the dance school – there are concerts and other shows that could provide new motivation for the child. If a child stops going to lessons before these events take place, he or she does not get a true feel of what goes on at the school. Usually, children can cope with the difficult period and continue going to lessons with joy. However, parental support is of crucial importance. By overcoming difficulties, a child develops self-confidence and learns to be responsible when committing to something.

If a child is not interested in dancing, there will not be any improvements later on, therefore you should look for another activity that the child would truly enjoy. Time is of essence in understanding the situation by its nature.

7. When do children start standing on the tips of their toes?

Children start standing on the tips of their toes only after receiving confirmation from the teacher around the age of 8, when the feet musculature of the student has become strong enough. If the feet are not stable enough or are not anatomically suited for standing on the tips of one’s toes, a child is not asked to do so.

8. Disagreements with the teacher or other students.

We always try to solve disagreements through talking. We believe that there are no problems that could not be solved if one is willing to do so. In case of any problems, you should approach the teachers or management of the dance school.

If the child has a disagreement with the teacher, it is important to find out what has happened by approaching the teacher after the lesson. If it is not possible to find a solution with the teacher, you should contact the manager of the dance school.

If a disagreement arises between children, it is necessary to find out the reason by hearing out both sides. One should not get too involved in quarrels between kids, unless the dispute could cause physical or emotional damage to a child. Physical influencing is forbidden at the dance school. Should a student use force on others in any way, he or she will be expelled from the school after the second warning.

9. What to do if a child does not want to properly gather his or her hair?

There might be cases when a child does not want his or her hair to be touched. Nevertheless, hair should be gathered according to the rules of the dance school. You should find out why your child does not want his or her hair styled. If it is due to increased sensitivity, you could purchase a special hairbrush that does not tear out one’s hair and try it out in a calm environment. Another solution could be the use of hair conditioner, as this eases the combing of one’s hair. Both methods can be combined.
Long hair should be combed from the ends of the hair in a calm manner and without hurrying.
Parents of children who dance should learn how to tie hair into a knot and get the hair of their child ready for concerts with hairspray or hair gel. A child should be accustomed to hairpins and other accessories, so that all of them could be used if necessary. Here are a few tips: