Changing Dance Schools

My daughter is feeling isolated in her new dance school. She has moved from another, smaller and friendlier school to be more serious with her dance but the girls at the new school are really nasty. How can she deal with changing dance schools and the girls behaviour?

There are often initial issues of isolation from the other children in a new school, and dance schools are sometimes very hard to join later in adolescence. Many of the girls at a school will have been friends for ever and will already have their hierarchical system all worked out. Often a newcomer is treated with distain or downright rudeness until she proves herself as worthy in a new school. Ideally, she will remember why she is dancing in the first place. If she loves dancing, and is not just in it for the friendships, then get her to absorb herself in her work. It is always a challenge with a new teacher, and getting off to a good start with the teacher is most important.

There may be issues if she is talented and is taking attention from someone who is used to being the best in the class. Explain to her that another student jealous at her ability is actually a compliment, and that this happens often in life. If dancing is her passion, then help her to understand that it is not her problem if others are threatened by this. If she become the best dancer and that offends somebody then it is their problem, not hers. We can never limit ourselves based on others expectations of what we should do. Most of the problem socially will usually be with one or two ring leaders in a group of girls. A good idea is for your daughter to build bridges with others in the group, and gradually she will be accepted. Helping others out with different stretches or exercises she has learnt in her other school can be good ways to break the ice.