Have any recs for me?

I think the boys tend to outnumber the girls on this board LOL but anyway...there are *some* girls of various ages floating around here.

My nearly 4 yr old daughter LOVES to dance around the house and she follows a girl at church around all the time as she practices her dancing (she does various dances, ballet - ballroom). She really seems interested in it.

I would love to get her into lessons/a class, but I just don't know that it's possible at this point in time. Until then, I want to do what I *can* to foster this love and interest she's shown. Continue influencing her in a positive way, ya know? ;)

So, y'all got any ideas for me?

Oh, and I don't care if it's 'instructional' or simply 'watching', either or both are fine. I just don't want anything Barbie or *too* cheezy/dorky. (I don't do that childish/stupid/dorky stuff well at all) I can stand a little 'cheese' but....

Anywho..ideas?

Oh and preferrably something I can find IN store, rather than online. I hope to get it for her b-day (in a week). I *might* be able to order from somewhere and get it by Christmas, but, in store would be even better.

just a thought Tara....you a terrific photographer....what if you volunteered to take pics of the receitals/class candid shots at a dance studio you like and see if they'd exchange dance lessons for your daughter for you taking the pics at events and giving them to them on CD to develop at their own cost.....

That's a good idea Breezy suggested! There is also the Bella dancerella videos. My dd has the cheerleader one and it came the dance along video, two pom poms and a bayton. I know they have a ballerina one and i believe a jazz or hip hop type one. My dd loves it and it does bring a smile to my face when i watch her dancing along. Too cute!:-D

That *is* a thought Bree. I'll have to remember that. Not sure I'm up to that extra load at the moment though. But certainly something to look into in the future.
Hub says all this is fine and dandy..as long as it doesn't interfere with BMX ::wink::
Said jokingly, of course, but has a serious aspect as well. We are all involved in BMX, so, need to work around that. And depending on what track we're racing, I may have photo ops there as well. (I mean, aside from opportunities to snap my own kids ;) Maybe sell some shots as I did at our previous track)

Definitely an idea worth checking into. Practice and recital shots could always go on webpages too ;) That could appeal to them.

Oh and thanks for the video rec Vanessa. I'll look into that.

I'm there with ya Tara... my oldest dd loves dance of all forms and is VERY good at just moving to music (classical and the like)... I would love to help give her something to watch but have NO clue where to start as there is sooo much out there. I'll be watching this thread.

Tara,

My daughter has been in dance for 3.5 years now, and she is just now getting it! I got her a video at the library called Fantasy Garden Ballet Class. It is an instructional video with garden association to help the kids remember the names of the movements, like a butterfly and an inchworm and Tendu(sp) tulip. Anyway, Mattie really liked it and thought it was fun. I don't know if a store would have it, but if you wanted to rent it from your library she may enjoy it.

In my browsing yesterday I came across that one at Amazon.com. I thought it sounded cute and *ideal*. I liked the flower/creature association, very creative.
I've thought about the library too, at the very least. I just rarely get TO the library and with the shorter borrow time on videos..ugh..I hate borrowing videos from the library haha
But..I will, if that's all I can do for the moment.

Good to hear a good review on that one. I was telling hub about it last night :)

And Jen..Isn't it just the cutest thing to see them dance around..so 'perfect'? ::giggle:: she sure makes me smile as she enjoys it soooo much!
I just know it would thrill her to have her very own ballerina video to watch. We need some girly videos around here anyway...silly boys :~p
Hub asked last night as I mentioned this dvd idea...does that mean I'll need to install a bar for her? hehe Oh do you KNOW how that would thrill her daddy? And she has the perfect little 'castle room' for it..hello? I have such plans for that room. ::sigh:: Hopefully I'll be able to put SOME of them into action. :)

The only video we ever used was also the "bella dancerella" I have a dear childhood friend who actually is a real ballerina and dance teacher. I'll check in with her and see if she has any rec.'s. Also dance studio classes can be so pricey but our local Y has some children's movement classes that are MUCH more reasonable. I was only midly impressed with b.d. and would say to only get the video, not the whole get-up. It was really more of a dress-up outfit than anything practical.
HTH
Beth

Bella Dancerella is very good....dd has learned all the dance moves that they do on there.