What age group is Dance Discovery’s Primary program for?

Dance Discovery’s Primary program is designed for young dancers ages 3 to 5. It provides a joyful introduction to dance in a supportive setting where children can begin exploring movement, music, coordination, confidence and creativity.

What does the Primary dance program focus on?

The Primary program focuses on helping children build coordination, confidence and creativity through imaginative movement and foundational technique. The program is designed to introduce young dancers to dance fundamentals while encouraging musicality, focus, teamwork and classroom etiquette.

Baby Ballet is for dancers 3 years of age and introduces children to the world of dance through classical ballet. Students work on coordination skills, musicality, poise and grace while also learning classroom etiquette and teamwork. The class helps create a strong foundation in ballet for young dancers.

Tiny Tots is for dancers 4 years of age and introduces students to tap, jazz and ballet. The class focuses on coordination skills, musicality, classroom etiquette, teamwork and the ability to focus and take instruction. It gives young dancers an opportunity to experience multiple dance styles in an age-appropriate way.

What is Hip Hop Tots?

Hip Hop Tots is a fun, high-energy class for dancers 4 and 5 years of age. The class lays a foundation in Hip Hop and exposes students to a variety of hip hop styles. Dancers also work on body awareness, flexibility, coordination, musicality, focus and the ability to take instruction.

What is included in the Preschool program?

The Preschool program is for dancers 5 years of age and allows students to study the fundamentals of tap, jazz, ballet and acro. The program promotes structure while helping dancers develop gross and fine motor control, coordination skills, musicality, focus, instruction-following and teamwork.

Primary

Structured, age-appropriate dance classes for children ages 3–5, focused on building coordination, confidence, independence, classroom skills, and strong dance foundations.

A young girl in a light pink ballet dress stands on one foot with arms rounded overhead in a graceful pose, smiling.

Baby Ballet

For dancers 3 years of age, Baby Ballet is the perfect introduction to the world of dance for our young aspiring ballerina. These students work towards coordination skills, musicality, poise and grace. We teach classroom etiquette as well as develop teamwork skills while working with other students. Upon completion of the program, students have developed an enthusiasm towards dance and built a strong foundation in classical ballet.

Learn more about Baby Ballet →

A young girl in a sparkly pink tutu jumps with arms raised high and a joyful smile on her face.

Tiny Tots

For dancers 4 years of age, Tiny Tots is designed to introduce tap, jazz and ballet to the young aspiring dancer. These students focus on their development of coordination skills, musicality and ability to focus and take instruction. We teach classroom etiquette as well as develop teamwork skills while working with other students.

Learn more about Tiny Tots →

A young boy and girl dressed in sporty black outfits stand side by side, smiling brightly with playful, confident poses.

Hip Hop Tots

Dance Discovery’s newest program for dancers 4 and 5 years of age! Hip Hop Totz is a fun high energy class that lays a good foundation in Hip Hop while exposing the students to a variety of hip hop styles. These students focus on their development of greater body awareness, flexibility, coordination skills, musicality and ability to focus and take instruction.

Learn more about Hip Hop Tots →

A young girl in a pale pink dance dress poses with one leg lifted and arms extended, smiling brightly.

Preschool

For dancers 5 years of age, Preschool allows students to study the fundamentals of tap, jazz, ballet and acro. Our preschool program promotes structure while developing gross and fine motor control, coordination skills, musicality, ability to focus and take instruction and teamwork.

Learn more about Preschool →

DANCE CLASSES DESIGNED FOR AGES 3–5

Children develop quickly between the ages of three and five, and the way they learn changes along with them. That is why Dance Discovery intentionally keeps our Primary programs age-specific rather than grouping preschool-aged dancers together.

Baby Ballet is designed specifically for three-year-olds, Tiny Tots for four-year-olds, Hip Hop Totz for ages four and five, and Preschool for five-year-olds. This allows our instructors to tailor the pace, classroom expectations, and dance instruction to the developmental stage of the children in each class.

Our Primary Program combines proper dance foundations with the classroom skills young dancers need to learn successfully. Students work on coordination, musicality, listening, following instruction, teamwork, and independence while becoming comfortable and confident in the dance classroom.

A DANCE EXPERIENCE THAT KEEPS FAMILIES CONNECTED

Primary dancers learn to participate independently, but parents are still kept connected to their child’s progress throughout the season.

Each Primary class has a designated classroom app where families receive updates and regular video progress. Dance Discovery also holds four scheduled Watch Weeks throughout the season, when parents are invited into the studio for the final 15 minutes of class to see what their dancer has been learning.

Primary dancers also have the opportunity to perform in both our Winter Recital and Year End Recital. We begin preparing our youngest dancers months in advance, even using our in-studio stage lighting to help familiarize them with the performance environment before recital day.

PRIMARY DANCE FAQs

What is the best age for my child to start dance classes?

There is no single best age to begin dance, but children can start age-appropriate training as early as age three. Dance Discovery offers separate Primary programs for ages 3, 4, and 5 so young dancers can learn in a class designed for their developmental stage. Read more about the best age to start dance classes →

How do I know if my preschooler is ready for dance classes?

Previous dance experience is not required. However, all Dance Discovery Primary programs are unparented. Children must be potty trained and able to enter the classroom independently.

It is normal for young dancers to need time to adjust to a new environment. If a child becomes upset after entering class, our instructors can comfort them and allow them time to observe. If they remain inconsolable, they will be returned to their parent or guardian and can try again when they feel ready.

Why does Dance Discovery separate classes for ages 3, 4, and 5?

Children develop significantly during these early years. Dance Discovery intentionally keeps Primary programs age-specific so the pace, instruction, classroom expectations, and dance skills can be appropriate for the developmental stage of the children in each class.

Is Primary dance mostly play, or will my child learn actual dance technique?

Dance Discovery’s Primary classes are structured dance programs. Even at a young age, dancers begin learning proper technique while developing classroom skills such as listening, following instructions, waiting their turn, teamwork, and independence.

Activities are taught in an engaging, age-appropriate way, but every class has structure and educational goals.

Can parents watch Primary dance classes?

Regular classes are closed to parent viewing so dancers have the best opportunity to focus on their instructor and participate independently.

Parents are invited to four scheduled Watch Weeks throughout the season, when they can join the final 15 minutes of class. Families also receive regular video progress and updates through their classroom app.

Do Primary dancers perform on stage?

Yes. All Primary programs participate in both Dance Discovery’s Winter Recital and Year End Recital.

Our youngest dancers begin preparing months in advance. Because our studios are equipped with stage lighting, instructors can introduce elements of the performance environment during regular classes so recital day feels more familiar.

What should we expect on the first day of dance class?

For many young dancers, their first dance class is exciting, but it can also feel unfamiliar. Arriving a few minutes early gives your child time to get settled, use the washroom, and be ready when class begins.

Dance Discovery’s Primary classes are unparented, so parents and guardians do not remain in the classroom. Our instructors help young dancers become comfortable with the class routine, follow simple instructions, participate with the group, and gradually build confidence and independence.

It is completely normal for a child to observe at first or need a little time to adjust. A successful first class does not mean doing every step perfectly. The goal is to begin becoming comfortable in the studio and enjoy learning through movement and music.

Preparing for your child’s first class? Read what to expect on the first day of dance →