We all want our dancers to shine onstage and be their best! One of the most effective ways to build confidence and improve skills is by practicing at home. Even just a little extra effort outside of class can make a big difference in a dancer’s growth and performance.
Access Practice Music & Tools
To help your dancer succeed, be sure to get their practice music from their teacher. Since most routine music is custom-cut, many teachers are happy to share it for at-home practice.
At Dance-N-Groove, we make it easy! Each class has a dedicated Google folder with practice music and additional tools to support at-home learning. You can find these resources linked on our
Use Videos for Extra Support
Every dancer learns differently, and videos are a great practice tool! Practicing with a video of their routine helps visual learners reinforce steps and fill in memory gaps. At Dance-N-Groove, teachers record routines from behind to mirror class practice, and videos are uploaded once routines are fully taught. Older dancers can also record themselves practicing to identify areas for improvement and refine their movements. We occasionally record our older dancers working on their routines to share to help at home.
Simple Ways to Boost Retention
Practicing your routine three times in a row helps solidify muscle memory.
Listening to the music in the car or around the house allows dancers to visualize their steps and improve their musicality.
Make Practice Fun!
Younger dancers often love putting on a show—encourage them to perform for family members! If your child is under six and doesn’t quite remember all their steps (or adds a little creative flair of their own), that’s okay! Moving with the music freely helps them build confidence and a love for performing. If your dancer doesn’t want to practice in front of family, making an audience with their stuffed animals can be even more fun.
Respect Their Practice Style
Not all dancers, especially older ones, enjoy practicing in front of an audience. If your dancer prefers to practice privately, give them space and time to do so. If you catch them mid-practice, try not to call attention to it—sometimes, just knowing someone is watching can make them self-conscious.
Why Practice Matters
Practicing at home is key to building confidence and memorizing routines—once dancers have their steps down, refining technique and polishing their performance becomes much easier. Encouraging your dancer to review their routine shortly after class each week will help reinforce new movements and improve retention.
With just a little practice at home, your dancer will feel more confident, prepared, and ready to shine onstage!
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