Your child is about to start their first dance class and you’re not sure what to expect. Will they need special clothes? Will you be able to watch? What if they cry? Here’s everything you need to know to feel prepared and confident on day one.
What to Wear
For the first few classes, comfortable clothes are perfect — leggings or tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt. Bare feet or ballet shoes are fine for the studio floor. We recommend attending a few classes before purchasing the Studio Wolfe uniform, so your child can settle in first. Uniform details are shared through the Studio Wolfe App once enrolled.
What to Bring
Just bring a water bottle and your child’s enthusiasm. Hair should be tied back off the face — a simple ponytail or bun works well. No jewellery for safety reasons.
Can I Watch?
We find that children settle in much faster when parents aren’t watching from the sideline. It can be tempting to stay, but most children behave differently when they know a parent is in the room. Our teachers are experienced at welcoming nervous newcomers, and you’re always welcome to check in with them after class. We hold open days and end-of-term shows where you can see your child perform.
What Happens in the Class?
Every class follows a warm-up, skill-building exercises, creative work, and a cool-down. For our youngest dancers in Little Stars (ages 3–5), classes are built around stories, games and imaginative play. For older children, classes become more technique-focused but always remain fun and encouraging.
Every class at Studio Wolfe has a minimum of two teachers present. This means your child always gets individual attention, especially during their first few weeks.
What If My Child Gets Upset?
It happens — and it’s completely normal. Our teachers are trained to handle first-class nerves with patience and care. Some children need a few minutes to warm up. Others might sit and watch for the first class before joining in the following week. We never force a child to participate before they’re ready.
If your child is genuinely distressed, we’ll come and find you. But in our experience, most children are smiling by the end of their first class.
What If They Don’t Like It?
We offer a refund policy up to the third week of term. If your child decides dance isn’t for them after three sessions, we’ll refund the balance. Most children settle in well within the first two or three weeks once they start making friends and learning routines.
How to Enrol
Studio Wolfe offers dance classes for ages 3 to 18 at three locations across Cork — Douglas, Donnybrook and Blarney. Classes run Monday to Saturday. Visit our enrolment page to find the right class for your child.