One star is extreme, I know. But this was an EXTREMELY bad experience. **TLDR: Ms. Carolynn was very ready to casually traumatize my 3-year-old a full 10 minutes after meeting her, and to potentially crush into oblivion any future interest my daughter may have in dance.** I have a strong-willed, smart and sensitive girl with some separation anxiety (very normal for her age), who needed some reassurance from mommy a few minutes into her first class - her *first ever* non-school class on her own. Ms. Carolynn ignored my daughter's screaming cries, waved me away to not interfere, and proceeded to kick us out when I eventually stepped in to offer my daughter a quick hug and some reassurance. (Somehow, this was more "disruptive" than the screaming?) After previously speaking but two words to me in this world, she flippantly explained, "I have 30 years experience with this" - very self-assuredly and dispassionately, I might add. Sorry, ma'am, but it's possible you have 30 years experience doing it wrong. Beyond a goodly number of years in drill team and cheer, I didn't see anything on early childhood education or development on your bio, and I'm pretty sure knowledge of developmentally appropriate educational strategies is NOT your forte... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
My just-turned-3-year-old LOVES putting on her dance outfits and showing off her dance moves. She was SO excited to start a real dance class! The front desk staff person was nice and let us try out a class the same day I contacted them. We showed up - my daughter adorably hopping up and down with excitement - and checked in, and I got her changed. There were several other families, with kiddos obviously excited for the class. The owner and teacher, Ms. Carolynn, flies in the door of the studio right at class time, seemingly all discombobulated and running late. I can relate, so I wouldn't fault anyone for it. But as it's time to start, I poke my head in to introduce myself and point out that my daughter is new and trying out the class. I get a brief acknowledgement ("oh, great!") and it's time to start. I notice she doesn't introduce herself to my daughter or acknowledge that she's new. Whatever, she's in a rush.
My daughter sits down with the group for the initial story time, but once they get up to start moving, she panics. They are closed into the studio room, with a window in that only allows room along the galley for 2-3 parents to peek in. I didn't get a spot, so I casually walk by now and again to monitor the situation once I hear my daughter's tell-tale cries for mommy. With two assistants in the room, they ignore her cries, go on with the class, and one of the (I'm guessing) high-school aged assistants puts her hands on my child to awkwardly move her around to force the hokey pokey while my child panics and screams blubbery screams. I give her a few minutes to see if she adjusts, but I know she needs a boost from mommy. I know my daughter, and once she gets to that level, she just needs some reassurance - and often will get back out there and try again! But Ms. Carolynn waved me away, and I could tell she was saying "she's got to work through it!" But my mommy gut said no, enough. I can tell you my daughter would have screamed her way through the rest of that 45 minutes and never wanted to come back. So I stepped in. And we were kicked out, quite unceremoniously.
Perhaps, more tellingly - there was NO follow-up communication. They have my number. They have my email. Not a word. We were heads on bodies, potential dollars that did not work out for them. Clearly, Ms. Carolynn had no care for our experience. And she did not feel the need for any discussion of her reasoning, justification or explanation of her teaching philosophy, despite that we had NEVER MET and she treated us this way. Compassion for other humans just ain't her bag, I see.
Clearly, this woman ascribes to the "cry it out" approach across the lifespan. No flexibility, you just deal with it and move on. I have to tell you, I can't get on board with that. Not with my 3-year-old daughter (not for ME, tbh), not for something that should be a fun activity where she can learn and engage in new ways with activities she likes. She is three years old!! If Ms. Carolynn has had success with this behavior in the past (which I assume she must've - or else is just a horrible human), more power to her - but I would not again give her 5 minutes alone with any child of mine. I'm sure this review would change nothing about her approach. Which is my point: NO indication of self-reflection or scholarly interest in improvement, NO flexibility with kiddos who may have different needs and responses. If your child works well in that environment (which clearly many do!), that's great. But I'd say it's a gamble. When something goes wrong, when a kiddo doesn't do as expected, who knows how she will respond? This was a big bad sign. I'm out. read more
