Practice incentive for a small child

[Margaret]

O.K., what incentive do you use for a little one to practice at home? I've found that since my daughter (6 years) knows that I know all the dances (I passed my teachers exam years ago), she is instantly "too tired" when it comes time to practice - I don't push, but I don't want her to forget between class times either. I know it will come with time, and I don't want to pressure her (that's why I'm not teaching her). Any ideas?

Margaret

[Lonny B.]

Margaret,
While I have no children myself to experiment on "so to speak" I am a excellent Dog trainer... and there is one thing shared with the behaviour modifacation of any being, it's called Classical Conditioning, (Conditioned Stimilus = Conditioned Response) while modalities differ, result will be the same. I would suggest starting at the basic level of conditioning with your child. You will need several things. 1: Something that she will do anything for i.e. Happy Meal, cookies, candy, whatever tripps her trigger. 2: A really good and positive attitude on your part, ready to praise excitedly the instant success happens. 3: A reachable end goal.

Even some reverse phycology may be required at times of difficulty i.e. Oh you can't do this dance, it's for adults, you can watch if you want but don't try this one!

I think the most important thing is "Don't set her up for failing" Practice things she can do at first so she can recieve her reward for doing them, then you can up the anti as she progresses.

I don't know jack about dancing, but this works very very well for complex commands in K-9 training and I have found great success in friends children with simple things they were having problems with.

If your really intrested in chatitng more on the subject, drop me an e-mail.

Lonny
I know my spelling sucks.. but hey I can't be good at everything! :wink:

[Lonny B.]

Stupid Double Posts.. Sorry!

[Dennis McCarthy]

Originally posted by Lonny B.:
Margaret,
While I have no children myself to experiment on "so to speak" I am a excellent Dog trainer...)And, when all else fails... :shrug:

Throw em a bone!!! :woohoo: :banana:

[Margaret]

Gosh, you two are just right up the street from us. Lonny, I was just out your way not too long ago.

As to the small one - I've found that the reward stuff works with her to a certain extent, I think it'd work better if I weren't also the one who's asking her to clean up her room, put away her toys, hang up her coat, throw the wrapper away please.... well, you get my drift. I'm sure it'll be easier once her attention settles a bit more, I was pleased that she didn't goof too much this afternoon, and remembered all but one step - a big improvement over previous attempts.

Margaret

[legwyn]

Hi Margaret,

My 7 year old niece is taking lessons from me. My sister tries to get her to practice a few minutes a day (my sister was a competative dancer as well). Anyway, my niece started practicing more when I had all the dancers put up a sheet of paper in the studio listing their goals. She now knows to reach some of the things on her goal list, she must practice.

Also, her best friend just started lessons a few months ago and quickly caught up to her and will soon pass her - this is incentive to keep up for my niece.

Another dancer in my studio has a "chore list" her parents have made up for each day of the week. The day is not over until the chores are marked off. Practice dance is on her list. There is no argument in their household.

Happy Hogmanay! :banana:
Lee

[Lonny B.]

Yup! Right down the street! Well next time your up this way.. give me a yelp.. I'll take ya'll to lunch or something!

Good deal on the almost perfect dance.. one step is great! Sounds like a Chucky Cheese night to me!