About our Beginners Irish Dancing Classes for Children
Our beginners classes are for children that are just starting out on their Irish Dancing journey. Children begin to learn the basic Irish Dancing steps and the first dances. As they do this they also learn the rhythm of the steps and how they fit to the music.
Irish Dancing is a skill and requires concentration and a certain amount of work for the children. However, we off-set this with activities to practice skills like balance, posture, body control, co-ordination etc. These are all essential skills for any dancer.
Most importantly we want the children in our classes to have fun and make friends. We want to help build their confidence and self-esteem. We want them to feel like they are learning and feel they are accomplishing something.
FAQs
What will my child learn at the class?
We learn the basic Irish Dancing steps in our beginners classes. First we start with the 123s and sidestep. We go on from here to learn the Easy Reel, Light Jig, Slip Jig and Single Jig. At first the children just walk these steps to learn the words and movements. Then we being to dance them and add the music.
To help the children to gain an understanding of how the dances go to music we do clapping exercises and singing to the music.
We do exercises to help the children start thinking about how they hold their bodies and feet for dancing. By doing this they also learn the terminology they need to get better at their dancing. We practice holding our arms in, hands closed, turning out our toes, crossing our legs, making our arches etc.
We also do activities to help with body awareness, balance, coordination, movement, posture etc. – skills that are important for almost every sport!
How old does my child have to be to start in your Beginners Classes?
We take children from 5 years in our Beginners Classes or children that are 4 but have started primary school. For younger children we offer ReelTots class. Read more here
Where are your classes and what times?
Luttrellstown Community Centre – Saturday at 3:15pm
Scoil Oilibheir, Coolmine – Tuesday at 5.45pm
How long are the classes?
Beginners classes are 1 hour.
How much are your classes?
Our Beginners Classes are €9.50 per class paid per term at the start of the term.
Do you offer a trial?
Yes, you can book a trail through our booking system.
How do I book?
You can book online here
Do they need shoes to start?
No, children can wear their runners starting off. After a few months if they are progressing well they can get the proper shoes – Irish Dancing Pomps.
Can I stay with my child?
Usually parents do not stay with their children at our Beginners Classes but we have no problem with you staying for the first class if your child needs that extra support.
Can both boys and girls attend the class?
Yes, our classes are open to everyone.
Should they go to 2 classes a week?
Children will learn and progress much faster if they attend 2 classes a week.
How long will it take my child to learn to dance?
It depends on the child! Some children may be dancing in a few months, however, It may take others longer. We will teach your child at a pace that suits them.
What happens when my child has learnt the basic steps?
When children learn the basic steps they can move on to our intermediate classes where they learn harder steps and can prepare for grade exams. They can also start to take part in Irish Dancing Competitions, Feiseanna, if they wish.
We were delighted that in April 2021 one of the children from our beginners class featured on RTÉ’s Nationwide, on an episode about Irish Dancing during the pandemic …