Develop clear and reasonable expectations of the children in your class and communicate your expectations to both parents and students. Know what is appropriate to expect in terms of young students' patience and physical, verbal, social and cognitive abilities. The Mayo Clinic points out that 3 to 5-year-olds vary developmentally. Don't assume that all children under 5 are equally capable in all areas.
Encourage children to show respect toward you and to demonstrate self-discipline. Avoid misunderstandings by posting the 10 "golden rules" of ballet class on the wall and reviewing them periodically. Include rules such as "dress appropriately," "don't chew gum" and "come to class on time."
Avoid burdening the children with lessons that are too complicated and therefore frustrating. Instead, keep the lessons lively and imaginative by telling stories and allowing children to role play while expressing themselves physically. Emphasize the beauty and joy of ballet by using scarves, wands and crowns. According to an interview featured in Dance Magazine, pre-ballet dance instructor Beverly Spell advises instructors to teach young dancers sequentially, beginning with stepping, followed by walking, and finally skipping.
Work with students to develop the skill of hearing and responding to changes in rhythm. Play a variety of tempos and request that the children walk, run, skip or gallop to the music. Teach simple exercises that end with a "clap," such as three jumps in first position and a "clap" on the fourth count.
Introduce proper ballet terminology gradually by combining conventional terms with playful, vivid imagery that children can appreciate. Spell recommends using such terms as "butterfly port de bras" and "flamingo passé."
Prepare an age-appropriate syllabus that progresses quickly to keep the children's attention. Conduct a warm-up with students seated in a circle. Include exercises that involve stretching and flexing the feet, butterfly stretches for the hips and the "superman" full-body stretch. Instruct students to remain in a circle as they move to a standing position, with feet parallel. Practice pressing to demi pointe, full pointe, back to demi pointe and flat. Arrange students in a line, facing the mirror. Lead the class in simple tendu, degage and grand battement combinations. Demonstrate and lead the class in a simple port de bras. Follow with chasses, echappes, skips, pony trots, gallops and little runs on demi pointe. Finish with stretches and curtsies to the teacher.