Why Take Your Child To diddi dance?

When Mrs T was around two and a half years old, I thought it was high time I enrolled her in a fun, weekly class. With her energy levels ever-increasing I wanted something which would teach her a new skill as well as wear her out a little.  Following a recommendation from one of my antenatel friends we settled on our local diddi dance class.

After attending a free taster session I knew this would be the class for her and as it happens, for me too – you can’t beat a mid-morning boogie!. It wasn’t long before Mrs T was joining in the lingo of “good toes, naughty toes”, playing with the various props and galloping around the room with her new-found friends.

It has been a pleasure to see her grow and develop within the class. From the slightly reserved toddler she was when she first went to an outgoing preschooler who participates with gusto and excitement. Being exposed to different styles of dance and music has also been an education – for both of us – and it is certainly no chore taking her along (I even get a bit of a workout myself).

There is one person who immediately made her feel special and part of the class – her diddi dance teacher, Mona. Mrs T definitely has a girl crush on Mona. To the extent that, if she won’t go to sleep the night before, I give her a gentle warning that if she doesn’t, she won’t be seeing Mona the next day – it works a treat. She swiftly lies down and closes her eyes.

To explain a bit more diddi dance, Mona, who teaches classes in Richmond-Upon-Thames, has answered some of my questions.

What is your background?

I started dancing at the age of 4. Trained in Kiev for several years as a professional ballet dancer.  Since graduating, I have performed all over the world as a dancer. During my career as a soloist I danced in Swan Lake with my absolute favourite role being The Fairy Godmother in Cinderella.

As a teacher I have over 9 years experience and have worked with the highly regarded bluebirds ballet school, Just Imagine Ballet School, West Hampstead School of dance, Kensington Ballet School.

What is diddi dance

Diddi dance is a funky and fun dance class for preschool boys and girls. We don’t use nursery rhymes in classes, we have a bespoke syllabus that incorporates building confidence and rhythm, learning colours, left and right, taking turns and much more while having TONS OF FUN!! We use ribbons and hoops to help them get the most from each funky diddi dance track as well as other fun props.

Each half term there is a different dance theme. In the past year we have done diverse dance styles such as Bollywood, hip hop, Irish, Rock n Roll, disco and salsa. This helps them learn about different music and dance styles.

What do you like about teaching diddi dance? 

For me, dancing is a form a communication, it cuts right through any barriers that we have in society: young, old, rich, poor, wherever you’re from – giving children the right start in life – to find their rhythm , let go, have fun and express themselves – it is the best feeling in the world!! Dance can help everyone to feel connected.

Why is dance important for children? 

Dance is innate in children before they possess commands over language. Children move naturally, they move to achieve mobility, they move to express a thought or feeling and they move because it is joyful.

When many of my pupils have outgrown diddi dance, it is lovely to hear how it has built their confidence so when they have moved onto other dance classes, which parents don’t attend, they have happily marched into classes on their own and settled quickly as they have no problems waiting and taking turns, working with other children, taking instruction from the teachers and so on, as they are used to it from our class. Shaping little minds as well as bodies is so rewarding!! That’s what I love most about teaching diddi dance. So proud of my little munchkins!!!!!!

What are the main advantages of going to a class?

As well as being lots of fun, our classes are educational and are great for:

• Boosting language skills
• Early numeracy skills
• Developing confidence
• Gross and fine motor control
• Learning to take turns and share
• Making new friends!

Is it for boys too?

Diddi dance isn’t just for girls!!! I’m so pleased to see so many little boys enrol into classes!! Boys want to jump around to their favourite music just as much as their female friends. Plus, they need tiring out even more than girls and what better way to do this than 45 minutes of jumping, turning, galloping, moving and shaking?

There are diddi dance franchises all over the UK – with fantastic, experienced teachers. For your nearest one, visit the website.

The amazing Mona runs the following classes in the Richmond area. Term starts from April 11. It is £7 per session. 

Monday: Salvation Army, 27 Church Rd, Teddington TW11 8PF at 9:45am
Tuesday: All Souls Church , Northcote Rd, St Margarets TW1 1PB at 9:45am
Wednesday: Crane Community Centre, Meadway, Twickenham, TW2 6PG at 9:45am
Wednesday : Studio k, Richmond Fitness Club , above the station, Kew Rd TW9 2NA at 1:45pm
Thursday: St John Centre, 80 St Johns Rd, Isleworth TW7 6RU at 10:00am
Friday: The White House, 45 The Avenue, Hampton, TW12 3RN at 10:00am