The hardest part of teaching dance isn’t the choreography.
It’s realising that a 9-year-old and a 45-year-old require completely different versions of you as a teacher.
Here are a few reflections that might resonate with anyone teaching an art form (or really, any skill):
- Curiosity vs. Commitment
Children bring boundless curiosity, but their attention spans are fleeting.
Adults bring deep commitment, but they’re often carrying years of self-doubt about “starting late.”
As educators, we must protect a child’s curiosity and nurture an adult’s confidence.
- Discipline vs. Context
With kids, discipline is built from the outside in: schedules, repetition, structure.
With adults, discipline comes from context: they need to understand why before they commit to the “how.”
Explaining the story behind a mudra often works better for adults than drilling technique.
- Growth Mindset vs. Fear of Judgment
Children rarely fear being “wrong.” They’ll try, fall, and laugh.
Adults often fear looking foolish, even when learning something new.
Creating a safe space where adults can fail without judgment is just as important as correcting their form.
- Progress Looks Different
With children, the joy is in watching them build foundations. Every Aramandi held for 30 seconds is a victory.
With adults, progress is emotional as much as physical.
Over the years, I’ve come to see teaching not as transferring knowledge, but as creating the right environment for each learner.
Children remind me to keep play alive. Adults remind me that reinvention is always possible.
And for me, the greatest privilege lies in witnessing both, the first sparks of discovery and the quiet fire of resilience.
So if you’re an educator, whether in dance, art, or any other field, here’s my biggest takeaway:
Don’t just teach the subject, teach the person in front of you.
Techniques and syllabi matter, yes.
But what truly transforms a learner is when you honour the stage of life they’re in, and help them see what’s possible from there.
#teaching #dance #progress #bharatnatyam #educator #stories