Encouraging Positive Role Models

Children and young people tend to have certain role models - people they aspire to be like when they are older. Whereas traditionally children would have wished to emulate their mother, father or a favourite relative or local character, increasingly these role models are thought of as celebrities and sports people. Opinion varies as to whether pop stars and other celebrities are a good example to children. It is fair enough to say that it completely depends who the particular person in question is. Glamour models, such as Jordan (Katie Price) are often admired and looked up to by young girls, often much to the despair of parents and teachers, who wish to encourage the concept that success is achieved through hard work and effort, rather than appearance and physical attributes.

There are still large numbers of huge people who want to grow up to be like people closer to home - their parents, older siblings, a family friend. Some decide they would like to be like their favourite teacher. Often children and young people identify with adults who share similar interests to their own. A child who loves to draw and paint may want to grow up to be the next Picasso or Van Gogh, someone who loves to write might envisage themselves as famous wordsmiths, like Dickens and Shakespeare. If a child wants to be a dancer, they may well admire a celebrity dancer, but often this is not the case. A lot of dance students wish to be like their dance teacher.

The job of any sort of teacher is more than just providing knowledge of a given subject. They should be able to gain their student's confidence and trust and communicate well. They should be able to understand an individual's needs and be able to assess skill levels and identify ways to assist students as individuals. Dance teachers almost always have a great amount of enthusiasm and passion for their subject. Whether they teach ballet, tap, jazz or modern dance, students will be able to tell if their dance teacher's heart is in it. Helping youngsters to learn morals, to learn how to accept winning with good grace and losing with dignity, is central to any parent's or teacher's job. Manners are very important and a dance teacher can make use of their position as a ‘cool' or ‘trendy' to help instil good behaviour in youngsters.

It is the belief of the majority of people that raising children well is the most important part of life, the most rewarding, but also the most difficult. Good parents always try their best for their offspring, something that a child often overlooks when they are annoyed with their mum or dad. Finding somewhere safe for children to go and learn to socialise better and acquire new skills can be also be a good break for long suffering parents, a chance to relax in the knowledge your child is safe and have some peace and quiet. If you want your child to learn dance, make sure you trust the dance teacher fully and have studied their credentials.

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