We recently bought an airtrack also known as a tumbling mat for our daughter. You can see her here in the photo on the track we bought. But before we bought the mat I had to do a lot of research to make sure we bought the right length, depth and width mat as well as making sure we bought a quality mat that would last. There are a few different brands that sell them in different lengths and widths. We don’t have a lot of space indoors, so I knew ours would end up outside in the elements most of the time which was a consideration when looking at materials. I was also concerned about pumping it ..read more

When my daughter turned 8 we bought her an inflatable tumbling mat to practice her handsprings and tricks on for her birthday. She has trained in acrobatic dance at her ballet studio and was recently selected for her gym’s WAG (Women’s Artistic Gymnastics) competitive team. But which air or inflatable tumbling track should you buy? Click here to go straight to our top picks, or read on (3 minutes) for invaluable information about the best length, depth and other tips you need to know! What Length Air Track should I buy? The first question I had was basically what length should I buy and most p ..read more

Has your child been cast in a dance production at their dance studio and you’re not quite sure what this means? Well look no further we have all the information you need right here to help you understand what you and they are getting into! A dance or company production at a dance competition is a performance that expresses a story with similar qualities to a musical or Broadway production. Dependent on the competition rules there is generally a minimum of 15 dancers on stage, with the duration of the performance being 8 minutes or less. A production is generally created to perform at competit ..read more

As a dance parent, you know that creating the perfect hairdo for your young dancer is an essential part of their performance. The sleek and polished look of a slicked back bun or ponytail is a classic choice for dance competitions and recitals. However, achieving that perfect look requires the right product. In this article, we’ll highlight the best hair gel for dancers that will help you create a flawless hairstyle that will stay in place throughout your child’s performance. The following products are those recommended and tried and tested by dance parents themselves – there is even a mystery ..read more

If you are a parent of a young dancer, you might be wondering what it takes to be a good dance mom. As a dance mom, your role is not just to chauffeur your child to dance classes and competitions, but also to provide emotional support and encouragement, as well as to help them achieve their goals. As dance parents and teachers ourselves here at Dance Parent 101 we thought we would brainstorm and write about the qualities and behaviors that make for a good dance mom. 1. Be supportive and positive As a dance mom, your child looks up to you for support and encouragement. Be positive about their ..read more

So you’re ready to attend your first dance convention weekend! Excitement is in the air, entry fees have been paid, and now all you have to do is…pack an entire Dream Duffle full of dance clothes! Dance conventions are a great chance to express your personal style, but you also have to consider these top 5 tips for what to wear to a dance convention. Every dance convention is different, so be sure to consult their info packet about what to wear. For even more about what to expect at a dance convention, read our article What is a Dance Convention? – The Info You Need To Know! Tip #1 – Dress Fo ..read more

Most dancers live for the day they are finally allowed to dance en pointe! However, dancing en pointe requires a student to meet certain milestones before they can begin, and one of those is having enough ballet training. Dancers should study ballet for at least three years before beginning pointe. Those three years should be consistent, focused ballet training. But the length of study is not the only requirement for dancing on pointe. Because dancing on pointe can be dangerous for untrained dancers, there are other requirements for students to meet before starting pointe classes. Considerati ..read more

If you’re new to the dance studio world, there are tons of new things to learn, from different dance styles to different hairstyles! One thing that might be surprising to a new dancer or dance parent is that there are several ways dancers can gain knowledge outside of the dance studio, and one of those ways is by attending a dance convention. A dance convention is usually a weekend or one-day event held by a company to teach various dance classes to students from different studios. Dance conventions are a great way to expose dancers to new styles that you might not find in your local studio ..read more

Dancers who practice at home have a leg up on dancers who don’t, and luckily, there are ways to make practicing jazz dance fun! From focused exercises to silly games, practicing jazz dance at home does take some effort, but the results will be worth it when your child and their teacher see their progress. To help your child improve in jazz dance at home, you will want to focus on exercises for technique, like isolations and balances, as well as exercises for musicality, including visualization and dynamics. Before you embark on a home training program, no matter how basic, you should be famil ..read more

It’s your first time at a dance convention – adrenaline is high and you and your dancer are itching to get in the ballroom and see what it’s all about! An essential part of participating in dance conventions is etiquette, for both dancers and parents. Proper dance convention etiquette includes respecting all participants, being mindful of the space you’re in, and being prepared for anything! If you’ve never attended a dance convention before, be prepared for some differences from sporting events or even dance recitals. Find out more information about dance conventions here! The convention wor ..read more