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.

What should My Child Wear to Class?

Refer to our Class Guides below to learn more about our Come as you Are Policy & determine the best clothing for your child based on their class, age and development!

Mommy, Teddy Bear & Me

Mommy, Teddy Bear & Me

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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.

Dance Exploration has a Come As You Are Policy - this means we prioritize your child's growing sensory systems over what they wear to dance class. We understand some families may still want their child to come to class in dance attire, therefore we have found sensory friendly dance wear designed for the needs of your child and to limit distractions.

- Leotards: We recommend a seamless easy on/off option with wider straps to help prevent tightness that could cause itchiness or discomfort.

- Ballet Slippers: We recommend a drawstring free, stretch fit ballet slipper (pink for girls, black for boys).

- Tights: Look for seamless, non-convertible tights that cover the whole foot to avoid any discomfort that a seam may cause. We prefer the Grow-With-Me-Tights so you can continue to use them as your child grows.

- Shorts/Pants: Sensory-Friendly stretch pants with easy on/off capabilities are preferred over ballet skirts and tutus. Skirts and tutus can be distracting when children are still developing their proprioceptive sense (or body awareness). Instead, consider the sensory-friendly shorts and pants to wear over the leotard.

Click the button below to shop our Sensory-Friendly Dance Wear Suggestions catered specifically to children and adults participating in the Mommy, Teddy Bear and Me Class at the Cantril School!

Shop Sensory Friendly Dance Wear

Dancers who participate in the Mommy, Teddy Bear and Me classes at the Cantril School, are recommended to dance barefoot! There are several benefits to playing and dancing barefoot including:

- Supports arch development.

- Improves sensory development of the foot.

- Develops a natural gait.

- Improves Balance.

- Provides a strong foundation for confident, fluid movement.

For Adults in the Mommy, Teddy Bear & Me Dance Classes we recommend a hard soled shoe like a tennis shoe.

The Dance Exploration Come As You Are Policy means we never turn away a child based on what they wear to dance class. We do, however, believe in educating our dance families on the clothing that will cause your child to have the most success in their dance classes! Here are some clothes we recommend you AVOID wearing to the Mommy, Teddy Bear and Me Dance Class:

Girls:
- Skirts: They can caught under the dancer's feet when crawling and performing other general movements.

- Tutus: While tutus are definitely cute and adorable, they can be distracting and the itchy fabric may cause discomfort if your child has any tactile sensitivities.

- Blue Jeans: Thick fabric like denim can be hard and restrictive to move in. It may also be hard to "breathe" and get hot when we ar dancing a lot.

- Shoes: Avoid sandals, flip flops, crocs, plastic shoes, boots and high heels.

- Ballet Slippers: If purchasing sensory-friendly dancewear, avoid ballet slippers that have drawstring elastic. Instead look for a shoe that is a stretch fit and drawstring free.

Boys:
- Blue Jeans: Thick fabric like denim can be hard and restrictive to move in. It may also be hard to "breathe" and get hot when we are dancing a lot.

- Shoes: Avoid sandals, flip flops, crocs, plastic shoes, boots and high heels.

- Ballet Slippers: If purchasing sensory-friendly dancewear, avoid ballet slippers that have drawstring elastic. Instead look for a shoe that is a stretch fit and drawstring free.

Adults:

- Blue Jeans: Thick fabric like denim can be hard and restrictive to move in. It may also be hard to "breathe" and get hot when we are dancing a lot.

- Shoes: Avoid sandals, flip flops, crocs, plastic shoes, boots and high heels.

Mommy

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.

- Leotards: We recommend a seamless easy on/off option with wider straps to help prevent tightness that could cause itchiness or discomfort.

- Ballet Slippers: We recommend a drawstring free, stretch fit ballet slipper (pink for girls, black for boys).

Click the button below to shop our Sensory-Friendly Dance Wear Suggestions specifically catered to children in Creative Dance at the Cantril School!