Rainbow Connection

by Rachel Minnie 

Most of us want to follow current CDC guidelines and wear a face mask - in fact, it’s a mandate in some areas - but getting your child to wear one may be a tough sell, often because they don’t fit comfortably. If you’re in the same mask boat, here are some tips for how to make a mask fit better.

Problem: Mask is too large.

First, make sure you’re using a child-sized mask, like the Leotard Boutique’s children’s masks. There are lots of hacks to make masks fit more snugly, but our favorite is using mini elastic hair bands (see pic). The hair bands can be adjusted or removed to accommodate growing kids.

Problem: Mask is too small.

This is less likely to be a problem, but we can envision a scenario in which a child will only wear her favorite, but outgrown Mickey mask and nothing else. In that case, look for mask extenders, which are available in numerous styles, colors, and sizes. If you’re really in a pinch, however, loop ribbon through the elastic ear loops and tie at the back of the head for a better, more comfortable fit.

Problem: Mask makes it tougher to breathe.

This one can be solved by buying a mask that uses a double dart design like the ones here, which allows a little pocket of air space between your child’s mouth and the mask. In other words, the mask will not be flat across the front, pressing up against your child’s mouth. 

Problem: Masks are easy to forget.

Since wearing a mask in public is a new exercise, it’s easy to forget them. Have a bunch hanging on your doorknob so you can’t miss them on your way out. You’d think there would be no way to forget to bring a mask then, right? Lemme assure you, it still happens in my house. I’ve started having extra masks for adults and the kiddo in each car and in my purse.

A Few Friendly Reminders

Children under the age of 2 should not wear a mask due to suffocation risk. Please consult your doctor for guidance. Our masks aren't medical grade, and they aren't virus-proof. We are wearing them and practicing social distancing. Please refer to the guidance from the CDC. While the Leotard Boutique’s masks have a pocket for a filter insert, we can't tell you whether or not to put something in there for legal reasons. Please refer to reputable sources on the web to help you decide what is right for you.

by Rachel Minnie

Choosing a dance studio is one of those crucial decisions a parent makes for her dance-minded child. It has an enormous impact on how your child will feel about the experience and can help or hurt a young dancer’s motivation to continue. Even in our rural neck of New Hampshire, a quick online search yielded a dozen dance studios. How is a parent to choose? What information does one need before buying the tights and leotards?

Besides obvious considerations such as price, location, and convenience of schedule, other factors can be just as important. And don’t just trust the online reviews. They can be misleading or out of date. Instead . . .

Consider the Teaching Philosophy: Talk to the Teachers

Does the school embrace individualism and self-expression, or is it more of a classical teaching approach? Is its focus more on competitions or having fun? One way to find this out is to ask if there are auditions for the higher levels. This may be a positive or a negative for you, depending on your child’s level of interest and commitment. If your child just wants to have fun and be with friends, a dance studio geared toward end results, such as competitions, may not be a good long-term choice.

Community Culture: Make Sure It Fits Your Expectations

The culture among the other dancers and parents is important for both you and your child. Some groups are very welcoming, while others may require a bit more time to become part of the group. If feeling connected to a community is important to you or your child (it’s not important to everyone), make sure you are picking the right one. In other words . . .

Chat with other Parents

Ask questions at your trial class (if you are offered one, GO before agreeing to a full session). Listen and observe. Are the other parents leaving to run errands, or are they sticking around and chatting? Are they criticizing or complimenting?

Consider Extra Expenses: They Can Add Up

While you’re at it, ask the other parents if the dance studio has extra expenses that you maybe haven’t considered yet, such as competition fees and multiple dance costumes. If you’re not prepared for them, they can be a strain on your budget. The veteran parents can give you the run-down.

Ask Your Child

This one can be tricky. While you don’t want to leave the decision entirely to your child, of course, you may want to ask gently for her thoughts and opinions. Perhaps she’s thought of something important to her that you hadn’t even considered, like the amount of hook and cubby space for her items while she is in class. Sounds small, but it’s one of those little things that may help narrow down your options. Along those lines . . .

Think About Your (Physical) Comfort

This may sound unimportant, but you’ll probably be spending a lot of time in that dance studio. Make sure it’s comfortable for you. I once spent an entire music lesson looking through a small window in a door while six other mothers tried to do the same. In contrast, when my son tried jiu jitsu, the dojo had a welcoming corner of the room with clean, matching couches, end tables, and lamp lighting. I was dazzled. As a result, going to those classes wasn’t something I dreaded. I could keep an eye on my kiddo while playing matching games on my tablet in the cozy parents corner. Is a bad waiting section a dealbreaker? Probably not, but it can seal the deal when deciding between studios.

By Lydia Perakis

My name is Lydia Perakis and I live in Brooklyn, New York. Before the pandemic, I was working as a dance performer, choreographer, and educator in various studios and spaces around New York. I have been teaching virtually since April. My experience with online teaching started due to the pandemic; however, it has been an eye-opener to the endless possibilities and importance of utilizing technology in dance education.

Online teaching expands dance access. Because of the virtual classes, I have been able to reach students across the world I wouldn't normally, as well as have access to a broader span of ages. People seem more eager to experiment and try new skills while at home; there are students taking virtual dance classes who wouldn’t have necessarily prior to the pandemic. They tend to feel more comfortable in their own space rather than facing the intimidation of a studio full of strangers. In addition, virtual classes are more convenient to parents since there is no commute time, which benefits families as a whole.

Because the classes on Outschool [the online teaching platform] are automatically recorded and posted in the online classroom, students are able to “re-take” the class. That way, students who may have felt challenged learning all the material I demonstrated live in class, are able to spend more time with it on their own, something they wouldn't have been able to do in an in-person class.

Visualization and clear instructions are crucial when the instructor is not in the same space with the student. Your voice becomes your main tool, especially if the student is watching through a small screen. If the tool is properly utilized and the student is eager to learn, explore, and trust the educator through the screen, online learning can be equally as beneficial as in-person.

A few downsides of online learning I have observed are technical difficulties that can delay or interrupt the flow of class as well as general access to technology. Not all families can afford the expenses of online learning, which needs to be acknowledged and taken into account when talking about the communities we're accessing around the globe.

Another downside I have observed would be that some students get more easily distracted. They don’t necessarily associate being home with being “in class.” However, I have been experimenting with different approaches to engage the learners and establish an official class setting even through the virtual space.

Lastly, students having adequate space at home, as well as proper flooring (especially if we are practicing jumps) can be a challenge. I have appropriately adjusted all the classes I teach to fit into different space capacities, so this is usually a setback we find ways to work around.

I can't say that one can replace the other since we are comparing two very different educational spaces, but there is equal value to both online and in-person classes. Dance is an art form that heavily relies on community and human connection, and that can be challenging if we try to replicate the same in-person model when teaching online. It does not necessarily have to be the same. The class structure and format can shift in order to be transported through the two-dimensional space.

Both educational spaces have a lot to offer if explored and approached with an open mind. We need to be willing to fail, rebuild, reshape, and adjust in order to move dance education forward during this global pause. But there definitely is a way. The community and eagerness to move I have experienced in my classes these past two months have been enormous and so fulfilling, and that strength makes me hopeful about the resilience of our art form.

Photo by Travis Magee

Should we or shouldn’t we? The decision for us to offer face masks was not taken lightly. “It took a great deal of back and forth in our hearts and minds to decide whether or not we should offer a mask for sale,” says Melanie, Leotard Boutique founder and owner. “In the end, we decided that we have to do something.”

Far from profiting from the masks, the Leotard Boutique is giving more than receiving. It begins by ensuring that the masks are 100% made in the USA by the same woman- and minority-owned US factory that makes our leotards. We’ve kept the price low, just $11 each, with $2 from each mask being donated to the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation’s Community Crisis Action Fund. (That’s not a paper mask for every mask purchased. We’re giving cold, hard cash.)

In addition, buy any two masks and they ship for free. No need to wait a month for your masks to ship from China. Ours are ready to ship!

And we’re proud of our product: just like our leotards, our masks are soft and comfy as well as machine-washable and reusable. They have 3 layers: 2 cotton blend layers inside that are sewn together, a pocket space for a filter, and 1 nylon blend outer layer that is printed with a design.  The prints are pretty and eye-catching and look great with our girls leotards and dance skirts. And we offer matching mom and me face masks.

“It’s just about being in this moment, making a difference and doing the right thing to help here and now,” says Melanie.

 Disclaimer: 

Looking for a special gift for Father’s Day? Here’s an easy idea that we’ve made even easier with this exclusive printable Leotard Boutique leotard. Add your child’s handprints, a special message, and you’ve got a heart-warming card that any father would love.

Here’s what you’ll need:

An 8.5 by 11” print out of our customer-favorite ruffle sleeve leotard - click here to download for free

Glue stick (optional)

Construction paper or cardstock (optional)

Washable paint

Small paintbrush (optional)

Extra decorations, like stickers, gems, ribbons, or taffeta (optional)

Marker, crayons, gel pens or coloring medium of your choice

1. Cut out the printed leotard, if desired, and glue to a piece of construction paper or cardstock. Alternately, use the printed out leotard as is.
2. Color the ruffle leotard in your child's own unique style.
3. Use the paintbrush to lightly brush washable paint onto your child’s hand, or spread paint onto a small plate and have your child wipe their entire hand in the paint.
4. Press your child’s hand on the paper two or three times, depending on how full you'd like the dance skirt, reapplying the paint before making each print. Darker, opaque colors and/or extra paint at the base of the hand help cover the bottom of the leotard.
5. Add extra decorations, if desired.
6. Using the marker, add a message like “Forever Your Princess” or “From Your Tiny Dancer.” Don’t forget to add the date!
7. If she’s old enough, ask your child to sign her name.