But My Child Wasn't Learning And Wants To Do Something Else

It's that time of year again. Your child want's to go do what their new friend is doing, even though you have spent hours and money in classes already. What to do?

The first thing is to talk to your child's teacher or coach you have been taking classes with first. Before any decision  is made. They may have some great insights for you to share with your child.

Did you know that probably 90 % of the time when a child is allowed to quit classes, change classes or even change where they have been training, that child was at a point of achieving something great in class, and then it is over by one decision to let them quit or change. When making them stick it out could of made all of the difference.

Adults that have a hard time holding a job for a great deal of time or have difficulty in following through and completing projects , have shared that their parents allowed them to start and stop things at a whim or for what was the most popular at the time. They, as employees, find themselves disorganized, unfocused and unable to make great life changing decisions. Most will say that they wish their parents had held to their decision about lessons and made them continue.

There is great value in being consistent and persistent when it comes to training for your child. And though your child may whine and want to go with their friends, constantly changing  may actually devalue the training you have already acquired.

What helps a child to progress in classes? Consistency mostly. Constant training from one great source of information and background. Year after year training with the same source is the most beneficial. It allows the students to grow and develop in skills, mature and become comfortable and trusting not only in their own abilities, but also trusting in the source of the training.

Persistency is also important. Those that are taught to stick things out through to the end are the ones that will see themselves completing their college education and following their dreams. They have been taught that there is value in following through to the end, and little value in starting, stopping, starting, stopping and starting again.

The performing and fine arts training your child is involved in can make a great difference in their lives. It can teach them that when things are hard, you just push a little harder. When things are tough, you work a little tougher. When you fall down, you get up. And when you friends are going off and doing one thing and then the next, you stick it out for the long run, because you may not be an Olympic Gymnast or a Prima Ballerina, but sticking with the fine arts for years in succession in one solid training ground, just may help you to be a doctor, physiologist, school teacher, nurse, writer, artist or business owner. Just like some of our former students that stayed in classes through their senior year in high school.

Yes, there is value is sticking things out. There is also great value in continuing your training under the same teacher, coach or institution. There is great value in the fine arts.

 

 

NOW REGISTERING FOR THIS FUN MASTER CLASS IN AUGUST!

 

This is a great class for students in acrobatics, tumbling, gymnastics and dance!

Master Teachers will be teaching beginner to intermediate level skills depending on the age and level of the students.

 

5 yrs and up!

 

LIMITED ENROLLMENT!

The Value of Dance Classes by Rhiannon McGinnis Tuck

We have another guest BLOGGER today. Former student Rhiannon McGinnis Tuck shares with you what dance meant to her and how it has empowered her life as a public educator and parent of twin girls:

My name is Rhiannon McGinnis Tuck and I have been teaching Kindergarten for 11 years. I have always loved dance and I started dancing when I was just 2 years old and continued formally dancing until my freshman year of college. Dance has taught me so much in life and one thing that it has taught me is dedication. To be a dancer you have to be dedicated- to practice, stay healthy, stretch, etc. Through my dedication that I had towards dance I have learned to keep trying in all that I do. I know that practice makes permanent and I have carried this over into my classroom to teach my students. I have taught them to practice things that are taught and it will get easier. It has also helped me out being a mom and helping my girls. I have taught them and shown them to have dedication in all that they do in life whether it be sports, dance, or school.

Dance has taken me many places in my life. Some of my very fondest memories involve dance in some way. I actually did things through dance that I never dreamed I would get to do. Some of these include: dancing in the halftime of the Citrus Bowl Game, dancing on a cruise ship, dancing during high school football games, and being on a competitive dance team. What fun learning experiences I had from being in dance.

As an adult a way that I still incorporate dance into my life is every morning in school I dance with my Kinders. It is a great brain break and they LOVE free dancing and me teaching them dances. It is a bonding experience for us all. It also helps keep up fit and active in a very fun way. I also take a ZUMBA class and since I grew up being a dancer I catch onto the dances very easily and I love dancing to stay in shape! It is so fun it doesn’t even feel like exercise.

I am a mother of twin 8 year old girls. One of my highlights of being a mom is that now my girls are taking dance class. I get to see the love and passion of dance through their eyes. Since I grew up dancing I can properly help them with their dance routines. I then get to see them on stage dancing and having the time of their life! I can honestly say that dance has made one of the biggest impact on my life!

Skills and Values From Dance by Krista Smith Asbell

Note* Dear readers, I have asked some former students, that are now grown and parenting their own children , to write as a guest blogger on what skills and values they received from taking dance classes, that they now realize have carried over to their adult life. My hope is that this will be fresh, first hand information that new families to dance or other classes will find helpful in supporting their child's effort. I believe you will find great value in the perception of these young mothers.

 

Our first Guest Blogger is Krista Smith Asbell :

 

I have always loved to dance.  My parents used to take me to a Mexican restaurant that had a mariachi.  When I was 18 months old, I would climb out of my seat and dance to the mariachi's music.  Today, 28 years later, one of my favorite things to do is to go dancing with my husband or dancing in the living room with my 18 month old daughter.  Dance taught me so many things.  It taught me how nothing comes without hard work, to live a healthy lifestyle, and if you’re having a bad day – get moving!  I can not wait for my daughter to start dance lessons, so I can watch her grow, not only as a dancer, but as a person. 

            I began dance as an activity when I was in the third grade.  When I was in the fourth grade, I begged Miss Mary to not take ballet.  However, I disappointingly enrolled for tap, jazz, and the dreaded ballet.  See, I did not understand that ballet is the foundation for ALL types of dance.  I had no idea the great things ballet, alone, was doing for me.  Ballet, in my opinion, is the hardest type of dance.  It is more structured, requires more technique, and requires more muscle control and conditioning than the other forms of dance.  Without ballet, you can be a good dancer, but you can not be a great dancer! From this experience, I learned you will not get any where in life, unless you do the work first.  To achieve anything in life, there is always lots of sacrifices and hard work to first be completed. 

            Dance established the basis for me to be healthy.  I wasn't just going to dance lessons; it was like going to therapy every week.  I may have walked into dance with four tests at school that week, drama among junior high girls, and life in general, but not when I walked out.  When I left dance, I felt like a whole new person!  Dance lets you express yourself in a healthy way, when sometimes, there are no words to express what you are feeling.  It was also intense, low impact exercise.  It was great cardio, especially with Miss Mary’s tap routines! Even though ballet wasn't my favorite, it was excellent conditioning, and I grew to appreciate ballet. To this day, I keep active to minimize stress, support muscle tone, also it makes me feel good.   

           I also gained an appreciation of all types of music.  Dance helps in so many aspects of life, especially a young person's life.  It increases athletic abilities, engages both right and left brain thinking, creates excellent posture, and builds confidence. I can’t think of a better activity for children to keep their mind, body, and soul healthy. I am still reaping the benefits of dance today.  Dancing made me happy and still does.  Anytime I catch my toddler dancing, I encourage her – whether we are in public or at home – because I know it makes her happy.  That is the most wonderful thing about dance, it makes people happy.  If the music makes you want to move, then get moving!

Krista Smith Asbell

Public Educator

Are You Committed To Your Child's Success?

When I talk about the value that the fine arts have to offer children, to potential parents, I often feel that they may be thinking "here we go with the sales pitch". When really it is just my passion and experience over the years that makes me to want to share with everyone.

The value of the fine arts is huge for every child. And most of the time, there is a fine art that your child will enjoy (except for those fussy days where they do not enjoy anything). Some of the values are universal, so it does not matter which one your child is interested in or even if they later switch to another. But this BLOG post is not about the values of the arts.

This post is about what we as parents should consider when signing our children up for classes, school electives and activities. The questions we should ask. The plans we should make. The celebrations for successful moments. All of this is important and the hope is that parents will find value in this information for themselves.

Most children are signed up for classes or activities each season or year because it is what "everyone is doing". This is especially so for participation in short term activities such as community sports leagues, summer camps, etc. Mindlessly, parents line up with their child to register, because the neighbor down the street mentioned their child was going to participate in the activity, without even a thought about safety, child's interest, or even long term value from what the child will experience or learn from participation.

Then the parent sits in the stands, or worse, posts on Facebook, their rage at the volunteer coaches, umpires, other teams, camp attendants or parents. They are unhappy because they were already "too busy for this" and takes it out on the child when the child does not perform well through their participation level, or lack of. It is easy to brow beat a child who is seat belted in the back seat.

Long term classes, such as dance, music, art, gymnastics is also a breeding ground for displeasure for the parent when the child is not progressing as quickly as the young performers they see on television each week. This parent is displeased when their child is not able to perform a giant in gymnastics or a pirouette in ballet after completing a six week introductory class. After all, they do it on television reality shows! (Here is where knowing parents and teachers alike, smile.)

With any class or activity, parents are encouraged to take the time to fully research the situation and spend time talking to their children to find out if there really is an interest on the child's part. Be sure to enter into the new class or activity with as much information as possible. Ask a lot of questions at registration time. And verify one more time with you child, after they have heard all the details about participating in the class or activity. Also cover with your child about the commitment level expected. 

Some questions you may want to ask are:

1. What are the specific details about the class or activity? 

2. What are any safety concerns for my child?

3. Are the adults in charge volunteers or employees? What is their training level?

4. How do you prepare the coaches/ teachers to conduct the class or activity for my child?

5. Are the coaches or teachers background checked? Drug tested?

6. What is the learning objective for this class or activity?

7. What is the long term value for my child in participating in this class or activity?

8. Are there progression levels that are written out so I can see the expectations to reach the next level? Where can I find that information?

9. How will I know if my child makes the check offs for the levels or what they need to work on to continue progressing in the classes or activities?

10. If I have a question or concern, who do I speak with? 

11. Can my child really learn something to take with them in a 6-8 week class or activity?

12. What if my child does not enjoy this?

Always remember that when signing your child up for classes or activities that you are taking on a family commitment. A commitment to follow through to the end of the session, class or activity.  So do be careful when selecting programs or organizations. Find ones that are committed to your child's success. 

And always use the resources that are available to use to keep your child interested. Great programs and organizations have fantastic ways of keeping your child entertained and engaged for the long haul. Also remember that there will be days or even weeks your child will resist going to,something they originally wanted to do. Be patient with them but be committed to helping them see it through. They will later thank you for it........... Just remember that to be truly good at something, it takes time, hard word and commitment. An activity or class that has true long term values for your child needs to be an education. Commit to finding the best for your child. 

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Don't Miss It! It is AWESOME!

Tomorrow, we have a very special event for our students here at our Woodward location. Mary James, songwriter and professional performer will be at our school from 6:00 pm-6:30 pm prior to her concert! She is coming FOR OUR STUDENTS and families to be able to visit with her about her career as a song writer, author, musician, vocalist and tv actor. Now how often does that happen in NW Oklahoma? Hardly never!

Why are we doing this? We had an opportunity and seized it! This lady has a wonderful story of perseverance, faith and passion to tell and all of our students can benefit from. It is a lesson of even when life becomes hard, we must push on and move forward to achieve what we are working for.
(Mary James was in an accident that actually paralyzed her vocal cords and there was little hope by medical personnel to be able to continue to sing.)

We do hope that all of our families will see the value in this event and will want to participate in the meet & greet at our school March 28th at 6:00 pm. Then if you are looking for a fun Parents Night Out, arrange with us today for tickets for the show and for your child to stay at the school for pizza and a movie! All for only $60 (includes tickets to the show for the parents and one student staying for pizza and movie---$10 extra for each child added)

Today is your last day to get your tickets (pay in person today at our school or call and pay over the phone to reserve your tickets.) Those that attend will be talking about this for some time! Those that miss will wish they had attended. We don't want you to be left out for sure!

Oh! Be sure your child brings an autograph book with them to the meet and greet (which is free to all of our students and those that got a special invitation yesterday) And we will see you at the most talked about even in Woodward in 2014 tomorrow!

School or Studio?

In visiting with and listening to parents lately, there seems to be some confusion about school. Just the label "school" in itself seems to mean different things to different people. The conversation came up recently when a new inquiry asked why we called our place a "school" and not a "studio".

I went on to explain that the word "studio" really did not explain what we do here at Academy of Fine Arts. We call our selves a school, and operate as one, because we teach educational programs such as dance, music, gymnastics/tumbling, swimming (in our Woodward location) and an arts based preschool.

Our programs are syllabus based and having learning objectives for our students. The classes are organized and planned out by qualified teachers that continually train each year to become better at what they teach. Our school program has received recognition on the state, regional and national levels.

But you will fine "studios" within our school. The studios are equipped rooms that meets the needs of the students and teachers that take a class in there. Specialized floors for training, sound systems (not boom boxes), mirrors, barres, gymnastic equipment, pianos, drums, art equipment and supplies, preschool activity centers, desks and supplies. Each studio is set up for the type of class that is offered in that room. Even multifunctional studios are equipped to meet the needs to the different classes held in them.

When looking at the definition of the word studio, you will find the following:

1

a :  the working place of a painter, sculptor, or photographer

b :  a place for the study of an art (as dancing, singing, or acting)

2

a :  a place where motion pictures are made

b :  a company that produces motion pictures

3

:  a place maintained and equipped for the transmission of radio or television programs

4

:  a place where audio recordings are made

 

When looking at the definition of the word school, you also find the following:

 

1

:  an organization that provides instruction: as

a :  an institution for the teaching of children

b :  college, university

 

We do believe that we provide instruction and that most of our students are children. We also know that each and every program that we teach, with consistent training and passion, can lead to a college or university scholarship and to a career. Therefor, we prefer to call ourselves a school. It just so happens that our classes are taught in studios.

 

But it does not matter what our families call us.When talking about their classes to friends and family, it  dose not matter because they are always being told about our terrific programs and how many of our students have went on to a college or university to further their education. You see, "studio" or "school" does not matter when your program is doing the right thing for their students.