Dance Classes for 3 Year Olds

Kick-start their love of dance!

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3 Year Old Dance Classes

At age three, children are full of curiosity, energy and imagination. Dance is a perfect way to channel all that joy!

Dance lessons for 3 year olds are designed to introduce toddlers to movement, rhythm and creativity in a playful, supportive class.

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Why Start Dance at Age Three?

Early childhood is the ideal time to nurture coordination, balance and confidence. Through simple steps, music and imaginative play, toddlers begin to understand their body’s capabilities and express themselves in new ways. At 3 years old, it’s not about perfect technique, dance is about having fun, making friends and discovering a love for movement.

What to Expect in a 3 Year Old’s Dance Class

Dance classes for 3 year olds typically include:

Basic dance movements
(like skipping, hopping and twirling) Toddlers begin by exploring simple, age-appropriate movements that help develop coordination, balance and body awareness. They’ll practice skipping across the room, hopping on one foot, twirling in a circle and learning how to move in time with music. These movements lay the groundwork for more structured dance styles like ballet or jazz as they grow.
Music and rhythm activities
Music is at the heart of every class! Children will clap, stomp and sway to the beat, learning how to feel rhythm and respond to musical cues. These activities improve listening skills and timing while encouraging self-expression. Whether it's tapping along to a drum or dancing to a playful tune, every child gets to experience the joy of moving to music.
Storytelling through dance
3 year olds love using their imagination and dance becomes a magical way to tell stories! Teachers guide students through fun, themed adventures where movements become part of a larger tale. One term, they might pretend to be fluttering butterflies or galloping ponies. Next term, they could be exploring a jungle or dancing through a fairy tale. It’s all about bringing movement to life through creative play.
Fun props
(like ribbons and hula hoops) Props add an exciting visual and tactile element to dance class. Children might wave ribbons like rainbows, or tiptoe on a tight rope with our bean bags. Such resources support tactile awareness and make movement more engaging. It helps toddlers understand space, direction and flow in a fun, hands-on way.
Positivity and encouragement
At three years old, building confidence is just as important as learning steps. Instructors use lots of praise, gentle guidance and smiles to help children feel proud of their efforts. Every small success is celebrated and there’s no pressure to be perfect. We encourage children to simply try their best and have fun. This creates a supportive environment where children feel safe to explore and express themselves.

Added Benefits of Starting Dance at 3 Years Old

Dance classes for 3 year olds offer so much more than just learning steps, they play a vital role in healthy early childhood development, helping to build a wide range of physical and social skills that your toddler will carry into preschool and beyond.

Here’s how dance supports your child’s growth at such a young age:

Follow directions
With a blend of visual and auditory instruction, children learn to listen, watch and respond. As a result they will be able to improve focus, comprehension and memory. These skills are essential as they begin to transition into more structured learning environments.
Take turns and share
Group activities and partner dances naturally teach toddlers how to wait their turn, cooperate with others and share props. These moments help children develop social confidence and lay the foundation for positive interactions with peers.
Build social confidence
Through dance, your toddler will step into a group setting where they’re encouraged to try new things and be seen. This gentle exposure builds independence and self-esteem, especially when supported by Ready Set Dance’s nurturing teachers, who are certified through our training academy. Our playful atmosphere values effort over perfection.
Express emotions through movement
Dance is a playful and creative way for toddlers to express themselves without needing words. Whether they're jumping with excitement, twirling like Emma Memma, or tiptoeing on the hot sand, kids explore a full range of feelings in a safe and imaginative space.
Playful Participation
Most importantly, dance classes are designed to support preschoolers' playful participation. With plenty of opportunities to move, imagine and interact, children feel like they’re just having fun, but we know they’re also learning their dance skills along the way.
Strengthen fine motor coordination
Movements like clapping, pointing toes and ribbon twirling help strengthen fine motor coordination. Fine motor skills development is critical for tasks like drawing, holding utensils and dressing themselves.

Other Age Groups We Cater For

Types of Dance We Teach

Jazz

Develop muscle strength control, balance & achieve coordination milestones like skipping before going to school.

Hip Hop

Bust out to some ice cold moves just like Freeze to our original hip hop tracks.

Tap

Learn the fundamentals of tap in a playful and creative way, splashing in puddles and shuffling like a penguin.

Music

Develop the musical ear, dynamics & tempo while having fun with instruments and the parachute.

Why Choose RSD?

Original Music that is Fun and Engaging

Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop & Singing all in one class

Endorsed by Early Learning Experts

Make Memories and Celebrate Milestones

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New Students FAQs

Is my child too young to start dance classes at age 3?

Not at all! Age 3 is a wonderful time to introduce children to dance. At this stage, classes are focused on movement, imagination and fun instead of technical perfection. It’s a great way to support healthy early childhood development while building physical and social skills in a playful environment. And most importantly, a love of dance!

How does Ready Set Dance separate classes by age?

Our curriculum divides Ready Set Dance classes into age groups:

• Level 1 for 2 to 3-year-olds

• Level 2 for 4 to 5-year-olds

In combined age group classes, instructors select exercises tailored to the individual needs and abilities of all students, with grouping decisions based on class enrolment numbers.

What is the structure of a Ready Set Dance class?

Ready Set Dance offers a fun, one-hour program combining jazz, hip hop, tap and singing designed to build Confidence, Coordination and Creativity. Children improve muscle strength, balance and rhythm through engaging activities like skipping, tapping, singing on a mic and dancing to original tracks. Each element supports key developmental milestones while keeping kids active and engaged.

Ready Set Ballet classes combine themed music, props, mime and movement to build coordination, creativity, strength and fine motor skills, all while having fun with ribbons, feathers and bubbles.

Ready Set Acro classes use original music with lyric cues to help preschoolers build flexibility, strength and confidence through fun AcroDance movements and social skills development.

Ready Set Move classes offer toddlers and grownups a fun, interactive experience using music, movement and play to develop physical, social and cognitive skills through engaging activities like songs, obstacle circuits and creative free dance.

What style of dance is taught to 3-year-olds?

Most classes for this toddler age group focus on creative movement and rhythm activities. Ready Set Dance is a combo class of Jazz, Tap and Hip hop dance classes for 3 year olds. It’s a gentle introduction to dance fundamentals, using music, games and storytelling to keep things fun and age-appropriate. For a specific style, like acro or Ballet classes, your little one can try Ready Set Ballet or Ready Set Acro.

What should my child wear to class?

We recommend dressing your little dancer in the official Ready Set Dance uniform. For girls, this includes a leotard dress, tights and Tap/Jazz shoes. Boys can wear a Ready Set Dance T-shirt with shorts and Tap/Jazz shoes.

To keep movement comfortable and distraction-free, long hair should be tied back and we offer a fun selection of hair accessories so your child can express their unique style!

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How long is a typical class for 3-year-olds?

Classes usually run for 45 to 60 minutes. We find this is just the right amount of time to keep toddlers engaged without overwhelming them.

My toddler can often seem shy, will they still enjoy class?

Absolutely. Classes are designed to support preschoolers' playful participation and build social confidence gently over time. Many shy toddlers blossom in dance class with the help of encouraging instructors, music and fun activities.

What types of activities are included in the class?

Classes typically include basic dance movements (like skipping and twirling), music and rhythm games, storytelling through dance and the use of fun props like ribbons to strengthen fine motor skills and support tactile awareness.

What skills will my toddler gain from dance classes?

In addition to early dance skills, toddlers will learn to follow directions, take turns, express themselves creatively and develop fine motor coordination. It’s a playful and enriching way to support overall development.

Can we try a class before committing to a term?

Many studios offer trial classes so your child can explore and see if they enjoy it before you commit. It’s a great way to ease into the experience and build confidence.

What if my child loses focus or doesn’t participate the whole time?

That’s completely normal for toddlers! Our classes are designed with short attention spans in mind. Kids are gently encouraged to join in, but there’s no pressure. We want all our dancers to feel safe, supported and excited to return.

Discover A Ready Set Dance Studio In Your Area!

Get your child’s dance journey off to a great start with preschool dance classes. With our fun environment, your child will gain confidence quickly. Find your closest dance floor with our Ready Set Dance program!

Interested in Ready Set Ballet, Ready Set Move or Ready Set Acro? You can search up any of those as well, simply set your filters to find a provider near you.

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