At Expressions Dance, we are committed to crafting better dancers and creating even better people. One way we are doing this is by creating more cohesive teams. Team cohesion is the level of unity and interpersonal connection among team members that helps them stay together and work towards shared goals. Parents play a crucial role in fostering a positive and supportive environment for their dancer’s team. Here are ways parents can contribute to improved team cohesion:
Support the Team and Teachers
Positive Reinforcement: Encourage your dancer to focus on personal improvement and team success.
What does this look like? Talk to your dancer about their personal goals and what the team goals are. Ask them “what went well for you today in class? What went well for your team? What is one thing you can do today, to support a team member in their personal goals or the team overall?”
Respect the Teachers: Support the studio director and teachers’ decisions and teaching methods. Open communication with the studio director and teachers can be beneficial, but avoid undermining their authority, especially in front of your dancer and other parents.
What does this look like? Remind yourself and your dancer that teachers and the studio director want the best for your dancer. They carefully place dancers to highlight strengths and boost growth. Use effective communication when discussing concerns.
Be a Good Role Model: Demonstrate good sportsmanship by cheering for all dancers.
What does this look like? Let your dancer see you cheering on all their teammates. Know their teammate’s names and cheer for them individually as well. Find opportunities for your dancer to hear you tell a teammate something they did well during a routine.
Encourage Teamwork and Friendship
Positive Communication: Encourage open and respectful communication between your dancer and their teammates.
What does this look like? Team conflicts can arise, but open and respectful communication can prevent many conflicts. Relationship expert John Gottman stated “94% of the time, the way a discussion starts determines the way it will end.” Practice communication skills at home and guide your dancer toward positive communication with teammates. Also, help redirect them when they are talking poorly about a teammate either verbally or through text messages.
Conflict Resolution: Teach your dancer effective conflict resolution skills to maintain positive relationships with teammates.
What does this look like? Help your dancer become a conflict resolver. Encourage them to talk things out with teammates first. Role-playing can help. Remind them it’s okay to make mistakes, but owning up to them is important. Ignoring programs will hurt the team, so guide them to find solutions instead of just fixing it for them.
Create a Supportive Home Environment
Emotional Support: Provide emotional support and encouragement for your dancer, regardless of the outcome of team selection, dance routines, classes, or competitions.
What does this look like? Michael Jordan became the best player in NBA history, because he used his disappointments as motivation to be the best player he could be. Acknowledge and validate your dancer’s emotions, then help them channel it into improvement. Remind them to focus on personal growth, not competition with teammates.
Healthy Perspective: Help your dancer maintain a healthy perspective on dance, emphasizing fun, skill development, and teamwork.
What does this look like? Remind your dancer that dance is more than just winning a competition. It’s about having fun, bettering themselves, and learning how to work as a team.
Limit Pressure: Avoid putting excessive pressure on your child to perform. This can create unnecessary stress and can hinder team cohesion.
What does this look like? Be your dancer’s biggest fan. Cheer them on, offer support, and help them have realistic expectations (it’s okay if they aren’t the star or winning). They are more than “just a dancer!” Help them know who they are outside of dance.
Focus on the Big Picture
Long-Term Goals: Remember that dance is about developing life skills, not just about winning or about being better than others. It’s about being the best dancer that YOUR dancer can be.
Enjoy the Journey: Focus on the enjoyment of dance and the opportunity for your dancer to learn and grow.
By actively supporting your dancer AND their team, you contribute significantly to a positive and nurturing dance environment. Together, we can create a strong foundation for lifelong friendships, personal growth, and a love for dance. Let’s empower our dancers to shine both individually and as a team.
By: Chelsey Winegar, LCSW
