diddi
dance promises to offer a fun, funky, engaging and energetic dance class for your toddler, suitable for children aged 18 months to 4 years. Classes are currently available in Roundhay, Horsforth, Rawdon, Pool-In-Wharfedale and launching this month in Adel on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. We chose the 10am class in Pool as the time most convenient for us. Pool Village Hall is perfectly suited to toddler classes, with a free car park onsite. The facilities are very clean and spacious, with plenty of room for pushchairs. These are things that Julia told me she looks for in all her class venues.
There were approx 12 girls and boys in the class, ranging from 18 months to 4 years, accompanied by parents or grandparents. The older children were able to take part on their own whilst their carer sat at the back. For younger children like my own, carers are encouraged to get involved and join in with their children (WARNING: You may do some very silly dancing!).
Right from the start, the class began with music at full volume and Julia and the kids bouncing up and down within seconds. And for the next 45 minutes, it was non-stop, high energy fun.
Whilst it was clear from the beginning that my daughter loved it, bouncing and swaying away, I’ll admit I was a bit more self conscious – and slightly worried that I’d signed up for some kind of Zumba class and should have been wearing a leotard and sweatbands! I shouldn’t have been though, there is scope for you to join in as much or as little with your child as you want to. For me, Julia’s enthusiasm was infectious and after 5 minutes I’d shrugged off my inhibitions and got my jazz hands out!!
Each class is packed with lots of dances (I lost count of how many she did) including using ribbons, hula hoops and bells on the children wrists. It’s worth pointing out that diddi-dance is not a traditional dance class like you would see run out of a local dance school, however there are bits of this incorporated, including; stretching routines, first position exercises, ‘good toes and naughty toes’ and dancing in pairs to improve co-ordination and socialisation. There was also singing, counting and colours included in some songs to help encourage development. Each term there is a themed dance and the kids squealed with delight when they were told to go and put on their hoodies for this term’s ‘hip-hop’ number.
*West Leeds Mumbler received a free trial session with diddi dance in return for an open and honest review. All views expressed are our own.
