Over the summer, I work at my home studio as a preschool dance camp teacher, my expertise ranging from "Frozen" princess dance camp to hip hop dance camp. What most people don't realize about this job is one thing: teaching three-year-olds how to dance is hard. Like, really freaking hard. Do not get me wrong, I love kids and I wouldn't trade my summer job for the world. But, there are some days where I truly want other people to sit in my shoes and understand the struggle that is getting three years old to pay attention to one thing for at least two hours. Regardless, I love my summer job. I feel extremely grateful to be able to go to work and unconsciously find myself smiling. While I find myself wanting to rip my hair out at times, it is such an inspirational and humbling thing to be able to witness little kids finding joy in being themselves through dance. I leave work a more tired, inspired, joyful, and gracious version of myself. Regardless, here are some relatable things that almost all preschool dance teachers can enjoy.
1. When you just got back from a four-child potty break and you hear, "I have to go potty!"
2. Having to convince the one screaming toddler every day that you aren't a monster.
I swear that this will be fun. Please just let go of your mom. We've gone through this every day.
3. When you hear, "This dance is boring!"
4. When it's time to change from tap to ballet shoes (or vice versa).
5. Having almost every parent come up to you at the end of class to let you know that their child is missing something from their bag.
6. When you've played freeze dance five times, but still have 20 minutes left.
7. When they ask in the middle of class if they can eat their snack.
We can eat if you share.
8. Being asked when nap time is.
Me too, kid. Me too.
9. When every one at tap barre is on the right foot.
We may not be doing the right step, but at least I don't have to do laps changing everyone's foot.
10. Savoring every moment of "the quiet game" that you can get.
11. The look they give you when you have to go into mean teacher mode.
12. When you forget the choreography, but know that you're are fine because they have no idea what's going on either.
OL, let's just continue to do some plies and port de bras until I remember what happens next.
13. Spending 50 percent of class time on the art of perfecting windows.
Or just standing in a straight line for that matter.
