In Serbia, a Strict Approach to Dance Education
It’s September and extracurricular activities are in full swing.
Here in Belgrade, I haven’t fully experienced the Serbian education system—children start school at age six, and mine are only two and four. But from what I’ve seen, there’s some “old school” Russian-style teaching going on.
And I like it.
The Russian School
I was a serious child, the teacher’s pet. It is no surprise, then, that I enjoyed strict teachers.
My Russian-style ballet instructors were the epitome of no-nonsense toughness. Be on time. Tardy students were forbidden entry. Hair must be secured in a tight bun, no strands on the face.
Dress code was limited to (itchy) pink seamed tights under a black leotard. No skirts, no cover-ups, don’t even ask.
Later, when I taught dance in the U.S., I was considered a good, knowledgable teacher, but a little on the strict side. Mentors encouraged me to smile more, to focus on entertainment, technique would come later. We’re not training them to be professional ballerinas.
Teaching Dance in Serbia
I’ve lightened up a bit since then. I teach Creative Dance at my kids’ preschool, and I really do focus on fun. I have boys and girls whose ages range from two to six, and my primary goal is for them to release pent-up energy.
I don’t speak Serbian all that well, so it’s hard to be strict using only hand gestures.
No one seems to worry if I’m a fun teacher or not. In truth, a few parents were so surprised that I actually offered to spend time at preschool, they never asked about my teaching style.
A rare moment of stillness during Creative Dance.
Parents are not deeply involved in the inner workings of their kids’ activities here. They don’t grill teachers as to their kids’ progress. They don’t insist upon videotaping their four-year-old’s ballet routine so that mom can learn the steps and help little Sally practice every day at home.
The parenting approach is a bit more hands-off.
The Purpose is to Learn
The generally accepted wisdom is that ballet, gymnastics, sports, ice skating, karate, music, etc. are to be studied from age seven and up. The few classes offered to four to six year olds are just as rigorous. The main difference is that teachers are less strict.
No matter the age, the point is to learn the craft.
Joy is derived, but it is a result of learning to master the technique. Fun is secondary.
Instructors do include a few “fun and games,” but running in a big circle at the beginning of class has a purpose: gross muscular warm-up.
Last June, my four-year-old had her Rhythmic Gymnastics recital. I have never seen so many little bodies performing in one place at one time. Recitals in the U.S. are usually 15 girls on stage, the three-minute routine just long enough for all the dancing princesses to be seen, photographed and generally oohed and ahhhed over.
Mass humanity at the (non air-conditioned) Rhythmic Gymnastics recital. Yep, it was freakin’ hot.
The performance was great, I have a video with Danica the size of a tiny dot to prove it.
How do you remember your activities? Which teachers did you like? Were they the same ones from whom you learned the most?
What do you think of your kids’ extracurricular activities? Too loosey-goosey, too strict, just right?
In the "olden days", my mother didn't believe competitive events (anything you "won" like sports) were "ladylike" and "the arts" (music dance painting) were for "talented" people only, so no experimentation for me! I think it's great kids get to try anything that strikes their fancy — it makes for a more well rounded person!
I hand no idea! Grandma had such an interesting perspective on so many things (I'm thinking of the boy-girl-boy-girl required seating arrangements and the like). I love that she thought only sports were ladylike, not music and dance and painting! Very funny …
Many Russian schools have specified dance program for the children in their school. The routine class makes some form of such course which makes them perfect one in dancing. This makes preparation for the children in complete dance understating.
Parents are not deeply involved in the inner workings of their kids’ activities here. They don’t grill teachers as to their kids’ progress. They don’t insist upon videotaping their four-year-old’s ballet routine so that mom can learn the steps and help little Sally practice every day at home. 300-075 braindumps
In Serbia now educational institute active for kids.They try to give knowledge about every field of life and dance education is one of them.More ever they take academic papers from students every year.
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