I love working with kids. Bringing the joy of dance to kids is my ultimate happy place. Unfortunately, working with kids also means battling the sicknesses that they inevitably bring into the studio. It seems that lately I have had a lot of students sick, battling flus and colds.
With that in mind, here are some tips for staying healthy and keeping the germs out of your studio.
Encourage hand washing and use hand sanitizer. Keep hand sanitizer in easily accessible locations in the studio.
Demonstrate sneeze and cough hygiene and good practices.
Make sure you have a policies and guidelines that address absences due to illness. Make sure these guidelines and policies are communicated to staff and parents. We all want our students in class but staying home when you are sick is beneficial for students and everyone involved.
Maintain a clean studio and disinfect key surfaces including floors and mirrors.
Disinfect props, set pieces, mats, and other equipment.
Take care of yourself and encourage your teachers and staff to do the same. Eat well, sleep well, take vitamins, and make some time for yourself.
Make sure there are days of rest for you and your students. Sometimes another rehearsal is not what is needed.
If traveling and attending competitions and conventions, remind students of healthy habits.
Encourage students to maintain healthy habits such as eating well and getting enough sleep and rest.
You got this!
