How to Keep Young Dancers Engaged for a Full Hour
If you’ve ever looked at the clock halfway through class and realized your Level 1 or 2 dancers are already throwing cartwheels, sitting when they aren’t supposed to, taking their shoes off because they are ‘bothering them’, or just simply losing focus, you’re not alone. Teaching young dancers for a full hour can feel like a challenge, especially when the newness of the whole ‘going to ballet class’ wears off — but it doesn’t have to be. With the right structure, variety, and a few creative tricks, that hour can fly by for you and your students.
Structure Your Class with Variety
Young dancers thrive on routine, but they also need variety to stay engaged. Teaching the traditional structure of class—barre, center, and across-the-floor—is important, but pacing is key. Aim for 20–30 minutes at the barre, a quick water break (no more than 3 minutes), 10–15 minutes in the center, and finish with across-the-floor work. This balance keeps energy high and prevents boredom—though we all know it’s often easier said than done!
💡Teaching Tip: Use a timer on your watch or phone to keep class on track. It’s easy to get carried away at the barre (we’ve all been there!) and suddenly realize there are only 10–15 minutes left. A simple timer helps you pace each section and ensure your students get the full class experience.
See It, Believe It!
Sometimes, Level 1 and Level 2 students can’t feel the difference between a correct and incorrect position when looking in the mirror. Giving them a side or back view helps them understand what’s really happening in their bodies. Comparing “before and after” photos makes the correction something they can see.
💡Teaching Tip: Snap photos of your students demonstrating both incorrect and correct positions—like a tendu, port de bras, or passé. Seeing the side or back view in a photo often reveals details they can’t catch in the mirror. For small classes, take individual shots; for larger classes, capture them in groups. This visual comparison helps students clearly understand and correct their technique.
🩰 Extra idea: Share the photos with parents - they love to see progress and a glimpse into what their children are learning.
🥇 BONUS Tip: Depending on your class, you can also show a photo of incorrect technique—either of a student in another class or a staged example—and ask your dancers to identify what needs to be corrected. This encourages observation skills, critical thinking, and peer learning in a fun, interactive way.
Plan for “Energy Waves”
Kids don’t stay at one energy level for an hour. Build in high-energy moments (like petit allegro) balanced with quiet focus (like port de bras or a simply adagio). Planning these waves helps you avoid meltdowns or the mid-class crazies.
Change the Learning Lens
Sometimes, small changes make a big impact:
Use groups. Have half the class sit and watch while the other half dances, then rotate. Dancers learn by observing and also practice being supportive of one another.
Change perspective. Face different walls in the studio instead of always looking in the mirror—this builds focus and spatial awareness.
Start on the left. Occasionally, begin exercises on the left side first. This keeps dancers mentally sharp, and this approach greatly benefits older students as well.
Sprinkle in “Special Classes”
Breaking up the routine a few times each year keeps students motivated and curious. Try:
Vocabulary classes with games (I have several on my website).
Foot Focus workshops for strength and awareness.
Stretching and conditioning classes (bring a yoga mat—most family members have one they can borrow).
Ballet history days. Introduce a famous ballet, show picture books or images, and even add a coloring sheet for younger students.
💡I like to sprinkle in a Special Class or two in Fall and one in the Spring to give a fresh boost before recital season.
Always Have More Material than You Need
Running short on class content is a recipe for chaos. That’s why I always prepare more than an hour’s worth of material—so I can adapt in the moment if something isn’t working or if the group moves faster than expected.
How Our Lesson Plans Help
Each of our Level 1 & 2 ballet lesson plans includes:
More than an hour of material, so you’re never scrambling.
Creative exercises that mix imagination with technique.
A clear class flow to keep students engaged start to finish.
Flexibility to adapt for your unique class needs.
👉 Interested in a sample lesson plan: Click here!
Keeping young dancers engaged for a full hour doesn’t have to be stressful. With structure, creativity, and variety—plus a few “special classes” sprinkled in—you’ll keep your students motivated and excited to return week after week. And with ready-to-teach lesson plans in hand, you’ll feel confident and prepared for every class.
