So, it’s finally here! The first day of dance class. Cue the happy jitters, proud-parent smiles and kids bouncing around like they’ve already had three juice boxes. 🧃 (Don’t worry, we’re ready for it!)
Here’s your friendly insider’s guide to what you can expect at IDA:
✅ Before Class: The Essentials
- Shoes & Batons → Haven’t snagged them yet? No stress…they’re waiting for you at the front desk.
- Bathroom Breaks → A quick trip before class = fewer interruptions mid-dance. (Trust us, the cha-cha-cha pause is less fun than it sounds.)
- Dress Code → Black dancewear + hair pulled away from the face/shoulders. Ponytails are perfect…but if your dancer’s rocking a pixie cut, no worries! We’ve got hair ties (and deodorant, wipes and hygiene products) stocked in the bathroom for backup.
🚪 Entering Class
Your teacher will come grab dancers from the lobby. Adults, this is your moment to wave goodbye with Olympic-level enthusiasm 👋 (kids notice, we promise). From there, dancers strut down the trophy hallway…YES, it’s as sparkly as it sounds, to their studio. (Some kids may need you to walk them to the door, but I promise, our teachers and helpers are professionals at distracting and helping our most nervous dancers.) Be brave, they will follow your lead.
🕺 What We Do in Class
- Meet new friends & teachers
- Go over class rules (spoiler: no yelling, no hanging on the barres and absolutely no throwing batons, no matter how tempting 🏅).
- Start moving, dancing and having fun!
Our rules are simple:
🚻 Bathroom Breaks (a.k.a. Pit Stops)
If your dancer needs a break, we’ll send them to the lobby. Littlest dancers (Predance + itty bitties) may need a grown-up nearby for help with tights, shoes or those mysterious dance layers. 😉 Predance classes require an adult in the lobby during class.
🎁 The Big Finish
Every class ends with two things:
- Sparkles. Stickers. Stamps.
- Gratitude – dancers say “thank you” to their teacher before heading out.
👟 Shoes: Handle With Care
Dance shoes are for the studio only (not the parking lot). Options:
- Carry your dancer to the door (bonus workout 💪).
- Or bring street shoes and switch in the lobby.
Shoes can stay in a cubby or travel back and forth each week…whatever keeps life simpler for you.
💡 Pro Tip from the Trophy Hallway
Water bottles stay either with your adult in the lobby or lined up in the trophy hallway—not in the studios. Our classes are short, and if we work extra hard, we might pause for a quick drink break together. (Think of it as a team “cheers” with water bottles. 🥤✨)
🎉 That’s the First Day at IDA!
It’s fun, it’s structured and it’s all about learning, moving and kindness. First days at IDA are equal parts exciting, sparkly and a little bit wiggly (because kids). Your dancer will leave with new friends, new skills and probably a smile as big as yours. And you’ll leave knowing you made the right choice. 🩰
🖤 Miss Jess
Indianola Dance Academy, INC 