Castle Rock Dance | Dance Exploration Come as You Are Policy
Dance Exploration has a Come As You Are Policy - this means we prioritize your child's growing sensory systems over a strict dress code!
Many young children may experience tactile sensory disorders where tags in clothing can be itchy, tight clothing can be uncomfortable or they may find some clothing distracting. Implementing a Come As You Are Policy rather than a dress code, accounts for the needs of ALL children who enter our program.
While dance attire like leotards, tights and tutus are sold for this age group, they don't always take into account a child's development.
This is why we have a Come As You Are Policy rather than a strict dress code. With the Dance Exploration Come As You Are Policy, your child can come in whatever attire they are most comfortable wearing, which could be a t-shirt and yoga pants! Our priority is their development, their ability to learn and meeting their needs.
Additionally, sometimes a child may feel attachment to certain clothing and may only want to come to dance class in their Elsa Costume, or their Super Hero Cape! Our Come As You Are Policy allows them to come to class in whatever they need to wear, rather than perhaps missing a class because they didn't want to wear a leotard and tights that day.
Mommy, Teddy Bear & Me
Dance Exploration has a Come As You Are Policy - this means we prioritize your child's growing sensory systems over a strict dress code! For toddlers ages 18months to 3 who participate in the Mommy, Teddy Bear and Me Class at the Cantril School, we recommend clothing they are comfortable wearing every day over dance wear. Dance wear such as leotards and tights can be tight and uncomfortable on young bodies who's sensory systems are still developing.
Recommended Attire:
- Girls: Pants & T-shirt
- Boys: Pants & T-shirt
- All: Cut out tags if your child is irritated by scratchy materials.
- All: Avoid tights, leggings and socks with seams. You can wear seamed clothing inside out to help with any sensitivities.
- Adults: Wear clothes that are comfortable and easy to move in.
Creative Dance
Dance Exploration has a Come As You Are Policy - this means we prioritize your child's growing sensory systems over a strict dress code! For dancers ages 3-5 who participate in Creative Dance Classes at the Cantril School, we recommend clothing they are comfortable wearing every day rather than dance wear. Dance wear such as leotards and tights can be tight and uncomfortable on young bodies who's sensory systems are still developing.
Recommended Attire:
- Girls: Pants & T-shirt
- Boys: Pants & T-shirt
- All: Cut out tags if your child is irritated by scratchy materials.
- All: Avoid tights, leggings and socks with seams. You can wear seamed clothing inside out to help with any sensitivities.
Ballet/Tap Combo
Dance Exploration has a Come As You Are Policy - this means we prioritize your child's growing sensory systems over a strict dress code! For dancers ages 4-5 who participate in Ballet/Tap Combo Classes at the Cantril School, we recommend clothing they are comfortable wearing every day rather than dance wear. Dance wear such as leotards and tights can be tight and uncomfortable on young bodies who's sensory systems are still developing.
Recommended Attire:
- Girls: Pants & T-shirt
- Boys: Pants & T-shirt
- All: Cut out tags if your child is irritated by scratchy materials.
- All: Avoid tights, leggings and socks with seams. You can wear seamed clothing inside out to help with any sensitivities.
PreBallet
Dance Exploration has a Come As You Are Policy - this means we prioritize your child's growing sensory systems over a strict dress code! Dancers ages 4-7 who are enrolled in the Dance Exploration Pre-Ballet Program at the Castle Rock Rec Center, are ready to begin wearing dance attire. Some dancers may still have tactile sensitivities, that's we recommend the following when choosing dance attire:
- Leotards: We recommend sensory friendly leotards with an easy on/off functionality.
- Tights: Look for a seamless, whole footed tight. We prefer Grow-With-Me-Tights
- Pants/Shorts: We still prefer sensory friendly yoga pants or performance shorts worn over tights rather than skirts at this age.
- Skirts: Skirts may still be distracting at this age, if your child wants to wear a skirt - we recommend a skirt that is attached to the leotard rather than a separated wrap skirt.
All of these items are available in our Sensory-Friendly Dance Wear Shop!
Youth Ballet
Dance Exploration has a Come As You Are Policy - this means we prioritize your child's growing sensory systems over a strict dress code! Dancers ages 8-10 who are enrolled in the Dance Exploration Youth Ballet Program at the Castle Rock Rec Center, should wear dance attire. Tactile sensitivities should disappear as children's sensory systems continue to develop.
Children in the Youth Ballet Program should learn how to wear appropriate Ballet attire, because the dress code allows the instructor to apply corrections with a goal to avoid injuries. These important corrections may go unnoticed if a dancer is not in the appropriate attire for dance. Learning to dress appropriately for dance classes as children get older will be important, especially for those dancers who are looking to continue their studies. Like all activities that have a specific dress code, ballet dress code is rooted in years of tradition - proven to ensure that the dancers enrolled in ballet classes receive the best instruction, can limit distractions, and create a sense of inclusion among their peers.
What should children wear to Ballet Class?
- Leotards: We recommend sensory friendly leotards with an easy on/off functionality and sleeves that are adjustable straps, tanks, short or long sleeve.
- Tights: Look for a seamless, whole footed tight. We prefer Grow-With-Me-Tights
- Skirts: We recommend pull on skirts or attached skirts for this age group.
- Boys: Boys should wear a plain white t-shirt with Black Pants!
All of these items are available in our Sensory-Friendly Dance Wear Shop!
Teddy Bear Hip Hop
Dance Exploration has a Come As You Are Policy - this means we prioritize your child's growing sensory systems over a strict dress code! For dancers ages 4-5 who participate in Teddy Bear Hip Hop Classes at the Castle Rock Rec Center, we recommend clothing they are comfortable wearing every day rather than dance wear. Dance wear such as leotards and tights can be tight and uncomfortable on young bodies who's sensory systems are still developing.
Recommended Attire:
- Girls: Pants & T-shirt
- Boys: Pants & T-shirt
- All: Cut out tags if your child is irritated by scratchy materials.
- All: Avoid tights, leggings and socks with seams. You can wear seamed clothing inside out to help with any sensitivities.
Hip Hop
Dance Exploration has a Come As You Are Policy - this means we prioritize your child's growing sensory systems over a strict dress code! For dancers ages 6-10 who participate in Hip Hop Classes at the Castle Rock Rec Center, we recommend clothing they are comfortable wearing every day rather than dance wear.
Recommended Attire:
- Girls: Pants & T-shirt
- Boys: Pants & T-shirt
- All: Cut out tags if your child is irritated by scratchy materials.
- All: Avoid tights, leggings and socks with seams. You can wear seamed clothing inside out to help with any sensitivities.
Cheerleading
Dance Exploration has a Come As You Are Policy - this means we prioritize your child's growing sensory systems over a strict dress code! For dancers ages 6-10 who participate in Cheerleading Classes at the Castle Rock Rec Center, we recommend clothing they are comfortable wearing every day rather than dance wear.
Recommended Attire:
- Girls: Pants & T-shirt
- Boys: Pants & T-shirt
- All: Cut out tags if your child is irritated by scratchy materials.
- All: Avoid tights, leggings and socks with seams. You can wear seamed clothing inside out to help with any sensitivities.
Broadway Dance
Dance Exploration has a Come As You Are Policy - this means we prioritize your child's growing sensory systems over a strict dress code! For dancers ages 6-10 who participate in Broadway Dance Classes at the Castle Rock Rec Center, we recommend clothing they are comfortable wearing every day rather than dance wear.
Recommended Attire:
- Girls: Pants & T-shirt
- Boys: Pants & T-shirt
- All: Cut out tags if your child is irritated by scratchy materials.
- All: Avoid tights, leggings and socks with seams. You can wear seamed clothing inside out to help with any sensitivities.