Helping Your Dancer Set Goals (Even the Littlest Ones!)

Maggie Collum
Dec 31
2 min read

(FREE GOAL SETTING printable PDF AT THE END!!!)

At MC Dance, we know that dance is about progress—not perfection. And one of the best ways to help dancers grow, stay motivated, and build confidence is by teaching them how to set and celebrate goals.

You don’t have to wait until your dancer is older or part of a competition team—even our tiniest dancers can learn the value of setting goals that are fun, age-appropriate, and achievable.

Here’s how you can support your dancer—whether they’re 3 or 13—in setting meaningful goals in and out of the studio:

🧠 1. Keep It Simple and Visual

Young dancers don’t need complicated checklists. Instead, focus on small, clear goals they can picture and celebrate:

“I want to learn how to do my first plié!”
“I want to remember all the steps in our recital dance.”
“I want to keep my hands on my hips during warm-up.”

Use stickers, color-in charts, or visual reward trackers to make it fun and easy to follow!

🩰 2. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results

Some goals take time—and that’s okay! Help your dancer understand that trying their best counts just as much as getting it “right.”

You can say:

“I’m so proud of how you listened today!”
“You worked so hard on that turn—I saw your progress!”
“Even when it was tricky, you didn’t give up. That’s amazing!”

Celebrating effort helps build grit, resilience, and self-worth.

🎯 3. Choose Goals They Can Control

Goals like “win a trophy” or “be the best in class” can create pressure or disappointment—especially for younger dancers. Instead, guide them to goals they can control, like:

Showing up for class each week
Practicing at home for 5 minutes
Keeping a positive attitude in the studio

These goals build independence and help dancers feel proud of what they bring to the floor.

📆 4. Review and Reflect (The Fun Way)

Set a regular time (once a month or every 6 weeks) to reflect on how things are going. You can ask:

“What’s something you’re proud of?”
“What’s one thing you want to work on this month?”
“What dance move are you excited to get better at?”

Keep it conversational, positive, and supportive—this can even become a fun part of your post-class routine!

💗 5. Let Them Take the Lead

While it’s great to guide your dancer, it’s even more powerful when they take ownership of their own goals. Ask open-ended questions like:

“What do you want to get really good at?”
“Is there a move you want to show your teacher next time?”
“How did it feel when you remembered all your steps?”

Even preschoolers love feeling like their goals matter—and they do!

Small Goals, Big Growth 🌱

Whether your dancer is working on their first tap shuffle or mastering a double pirouette, the process of setting goals helps them build life skills they’ll carry forever: discipline, confidence, accountability, and joy in the journey.

At MC Dance, we celebrate every step forward—no matter how small. 💫

🎉 Ready to help your dancer shine? Join our season of growth, learning, and goal-setting!

👉 Try a class for free and take the first step together.