As we enter this new year, most of us like to take a moment to reflect on the last and set some new goals for the future. Your dancer may be hoping to do the same but may not know where to start. Getting feedback from teachers is a great way to set some new goals in motion and stay motivated during the second half of the year. At Mellado Dance Elite, we LOVE when students ask for feedback in their classes. It tells us that the dancer is motivated, hungry to improve, and LOVES dance! It also helps us help them accomplish their goals.
For anyone interested in getting feedback this year, we thought we would give you a step-by-step guide. Follow it, and your dancer will be sure to accomplish all their dance goals this year. Have a younger dancer that may not be ready to communicate with their teacher about progress? Don’t worry, this step-by-step guide also works for dance parents!
Step 1. Ask your teachers. This may seem obvious but this step can be the hardest for dancers. It can be scary to talk to dance teachers (as nice as they may be) and open yourself up to critiques. Your dancer may need help deciding what to say or when to ask for feedback. Usually a good time to ask is before or after class. Sending an email is also very appropriate. Try saying something similar to: “I just wanted to check in and see if you had any specific feedback for me going into the new year?” Some teachers may have an instant answer and others will want to get back to your dancer the following class.
Step 2. Listen and reflect. When getting feedback, it can be easy for anyone to get defensive. Coach your dancer on this and encourage them to listen. The teachers here at MDE want nothing but the best for your dancer. They want to help each and every one of their students accomplish their goals. Some feedback may be expected and some may be surprising. Take a day or two to reflect on the feedback with your dancer before moving forward.
Step 3. Make a plan. Work with dance teachers on making an action plan. Remember, getting feedback is only the first step! In order to get anything out of it, you have to bring it to life. Should your dancer incorporate specific cross-training exercises? What should they be practicing at home? How should they approach class? Making a plan will help your dancer’s goals become a reality!
Step 4. Check in. We always suggest checking in with your child’s dance teacher after about a month or two. It’s a great way to stay accountable, track progress, and make any adjustments to the plan.
Like we mentioned before, we LOVE giving feedback at MDE and encourage all of our dancers to reach out to their teachers this year. We know that our dancers will accomplish great things in 2018 and our teachers cannot wait to see it all come to life!
