‘Sup! Shawn here.

PSA: If you’re ready for real, practical teaching strategies that actually work (without years of trial and error), my Dance Teacher Playbook is packed with exactly that.

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BTW! If you missed last week’s “The #1 Teaching Trick To Better Dancers,” you might love this tip.

This Simple Trick With 5-Year-Olds Changed Everything

QUESTION:
How Does a Mini Dancer Relate to an Adult Teacher?

Spoiler alert:
THEY DON’T. It’s our job to relate to them.

Last weekend judging in Edmonton, I had a session with a group of 5-year-olds. And let me tell you: if you’ve ever tried to connect with minis from six feet up, you know how quickly their attention drifts.

So, what did I do?

I knelt down the entire time during awards.

The moment I met them at their level, their eyes lit up, their giggles came out, and suddenly, they weren’t just listening… they were engaged.

It was such a simple adjustment, but the difference was huge. And it reminded me:

Young dancers don’t need us to talk down to them. They need us to meet them where they are.

3 Proven Magic Tricks to Instantly Relate to Younger Dancers

Want to create that instant connection? Try these:

✅ Get Down to Their Level – Whether it’s sitting, kneeling, or crouching, meeting their eye line makes you less intimidating and more approachable.

✅ Use Playful Language – Swap technical terms for fun, relatable cues. (Think: “Make your arms into a pizza slice” instead of “Hold a strong high V.”)

✅ Match Their Energy – Minis don’t need “serious teacher” energy. They need enthusiasm! Use your face, hands, and voice to match their excitement.

When you shift how you relate, you’ll notice how much faster they connect. And how much more they want to listen, learn, and have fun.

💬 What’s your go-to trick for engaging young dancers? Let me know!

- Shawn B

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