Sparkles

Which styles of dance are taught in the Sparkle Program?
Ballet and Acro are included in each of the core classes (Babies, Tots, Kids, Stars) at this Lake Norman Dance Studio. Tap is also included, but for Sparkle Babies we hold off until January to start their tap experience. This gives the class time to learn classroom etiquette, the classroom routine, and coordination while helping the Sparkles to manage expectations for the first half of the season.
 
What can I expect my child to learn in Sparkle classes?
 
READY SET DANCE:
This high-energy class was made especially for the toddler!  Learning to move with music in so many different way, helps the brain to function at full-capacity!  Balance, coordination, autonomy, mimicking, and team work is just the beginning!
 
SPARKLE BABIES:
This curriculum was designed to address coordination for a 3yo, balance, plyometrics, and gross motor skills for a 3yo, classroom etiquette for a 3yo, and giving them time to learn from an authority other than a parent.  For most Sparkle Babies, this is their first independent classroom experience.

SPARKLES TOTS:
This curriculum was designed to address the following for 4yos: fine/gross motor skills, balance, plyometrics, behavior, turn-taking, spatial awareness, and social skills. Many Sparkle Tots are taking their first ever class away from parents and we address the non-parent authority figure with classroom etiquette and encourage social behavior reinforcing with praise while redirection instead of discipline.

SPARKLE KIDS/STARS:
These progressive classes get the Sparkles well on their way to deciding if dance is in their future.  The curricula is designed to promote independence, confidence, strength, perseverance, behavior, rhythm, and grace as well as the dance steps included.  For some, this is the first time a Sparkle Kid is meeting a new authority figure aside from their parents.  The age requirement for this class coincides with Kindergarten for this reason.  We believe that the reinforcement of social behavior in the school classroom as well as in dance will help each child’s proper development.

ACRO SPARKLES:
This class is designed for the K-1st grader looking to challenge their body to stretch, contort, and tumble at their own pace, promoting confidence, self-esteem, memory, flexibility, strength, and spatial awareness.

SHOW SPARKLES:
This Lake Norman Dance Studio class was designed for fun!  The curriculum includes steps that promote coordination, balance, cross-lateral function, and rhythm while the behavioral component addresses self-esteem, confidence, non-parent authority, focus, and social skills.

DRAMA SPARKLES:
This class was designed for the Lake Norman Dance Studio superstar!  If your child is the type of kid who LOVES to get in front of an audience, this is the class for them!  Get a head-start on being a triple threat in this great class of acting, singing AND dancing.  If your Sparkle is still a touch shy, try the Show Sparkles class until they’re ready!  
 
SPARKS:
This class was designed specifically for boysin a Lake Norman Dance Studio!  For some, there is still a stigma for boys and dance and we hope to alleviate that sting with an all boys class that shows that #boysdancetoo. Tap and Hip-hop should get them started with a bang!
 
What can you really teach a 2 year old child?
A lot! It takes about 6 weeks for these rowdy toddlers to get the hang of taking class, but they get there! Through the Ready Set Dance curriculum, we are teaching them independence, self-esteem, playing nice with others, following instruction from someone who is not “Mom,” focus, coordination, balance, listening, social development, compassion for others, patience, using indoor voices, taking turns and so much more.
 
What are the benefits of dance for such young children?
Based on the above explanation of what we teach in the classroom, the benefits from a structured dance class include listening to non-parent authority, improved peripheral vision, hand-eye coordination, balance, fine motor skills, gross motor skills, social development, speech, patience, and so much more. For some kids, this learning curve is shorter or longer than the average child, but they all catch on eventually. Watchout! Because they will soar!  When looking for a Lake Norman Dance Studio, GCAPA has every class you will need!
 
Can I watch my child take dance class?
Believe it or not, parents are the biggest distraction for little ones. Whether they want you by their side for the duration, are learning to be independent for the first time and need their space to to do, or need to focus on themselves without a parent’s worries, toddlers need this 30 minutes without distraction. However, we do have open curtain one week each month. We welcome all photography but NO videography as the curricula is proprietary.