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Frequently Asked Questions
What is "!Bailemos-Let's Dance!?
!Bailemos-Let's Dance! is a Spanish language and latin dance class. The classes began in September 2005 by Hoboken parents, Sally Robertson
and Oscar Burgos. We are raising our children in a bilingual household (Oscar is originally from Colombia and speaks exclusively in Spanish to
our children Eva (8), Francesca (5) and Leo (1).) Oscar is a professional ballroom and Latin dancer and Sally studied ballroom and Latin dancing
in New York City when she moved from the UK almost 14 years ago.
We play a lot of Latin music in our home and we loved how our daughters responded to the music. The Bailemos classes were originally conceived
as a Latin music and dance class. However, as we planned the classes, we thought it might be a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to the
Spanish language. The Spanish element of the class has been enthusiastically received by the children in our classes.
How long is the program?
The Barefoot Boogie class (for babies 4 to 14 months) is 30 minutes long and the Bailemos 1,2,3! class for one to three year olds is 45 minutes
long. The Fall, Winter and Spring semesters are ten weeks and the Summer semester is six weeks.
What kinds of things will we do in class?
Each class begins with a circle time which is primarily in Spanish. We sing our "hola" song and a repertoire of children's songs in Spanish. Often
the songs are ones which children will be familiar with in English - for example, "head, shoulders, knees and toes", "If you're happy and you know
it", "Wheels on the Bus" etc.
We introduce children to latin music (cha cha, tango, salsa, mambo etc) when we play with our shaky eggs (huevos), rhythm sticks, castanets and
other instruments.
We then find our dance partner and take to the dance floor as we learn to mambo, salsa, tango, cha cha and more.
We then bring out the much-loved parachute as we learn Spanish colors and other words through games and songs.
We slow things down with a story time, again in Spanish and using books that children may be familiar with in English (for example, "Oso pardo,
Oso pardo" - Brown Bear, Brown Bear) and end with "Brilla Brilla Estrellita" (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star) and our Adios song.
Which class is most suitable for my child - Barefoot Boogie or Bailemos 1,2,3?
The Barefoot Boogie class is for babies 4 to 14 months old and is designed for pre-walkers. The class is 30 minutes in length which seems to be
an appropriate length of time for children of this age. The Bailemos 1,2,3 class is for children who are already walking comfortably. It is 45
minutes in length.
If you are unsure as to which class is most appropriate for your child, please e-mail me so that I can help you to decide which class would be the
best fit for your child.
What is the role of the parent/caregiver in class?
Our classes do involve significant participation on the part of the adult accompanying the child. Latin dancing is partner dancing! This means
that, depending on the age/size of the child, the adult will either be carrying the child when we do the dance portion of the class or walking in hand
in hand with the child. This involvement is something that the adult will either love or not! As with anything in life, the parent/caregiver is the
child's role model. If you are enjoying yourself and taking part with enthusiasm, chances are that the child will too!
My child just sits there in class or wanders around. What should I do?
As a mother who has attended many mommy and me classes during the past eight years, I know how incredibly frustrating this can be.
My advice is this: is your child bringing the class home in any way? Some children sit in class and do not participate but then go home and
recreate the class from start to finish. If this is the case, then your child is benefitting from the class and, given time, will participate more and
more in class.
It can take children many weeks before they participate in class. Some children may never participate fully and yet they are still enjoying the
class. My five year old daughter still talks fondly of a ballet class she took when she was two. My recollection is that she sat on my lap the entire
time and yet she loved it!
What is "!Bailemos-Let's Dance!?
!Bailemos-Let's Dance! is a Spanish language and latin dance class. The classes began in September 2005 by Hoboken parents, Sally Robertson
and Oscar Burgos. We are raising our children in a bilingual household (Oscar is originally from Colombia and speaks exclusively in Spanish to
our children Eva (8), Francesca (5) and Leo (1).) Oscar is a professional ballroom and Latin dancer and Sally studied ballroom and Latin dancing
in New York City when she moved from the UK almost 14 years ago.
We play a lot of Latin music in our home and we loved how our daughters responded to the music. The Bailemos classes were originally conceived
as a Latin music and dance class. However, as we planned the classes, we thought it might be a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to the
Spanish language. The Spanish element of the class has been enthusiastically received by the children in our classes.
How long is the program?
The Barefoot Boogie class (for babies 4 to 14 months) is 30 minutes long and the Bailemos 1,2,3! class for one to three year olds is 45 minutes
long. The Fall, Winter and Spring semesters are ten weeks and the Summer semester is six weeks.
What kinds of things will we do in class?
Each class begins with a circle time which is primarily in Spanish. We sing our "hola" song and a repertoire of children's songs in Spanish. Often
the songs are ones which children will be familiar with in English - for example, "head, shoulders, knees and toes", "If you're happy and you know
it", "Wheels on the Bus" etc.
We introduce children to latin music (cha cha, tango, salsa, mambo etc) when we play with our shaky eggs (huevos), rhythm sticks, castanets and
other instruments.
We then find our dance partner and take to the dance floor as we learn to mambo, salsa, tango, cha cha and more.
We then bring out the much-loved parachute as we learn Spanish colors and other words through games and songs.
We slow things down with a story time, again in Spanish and using books that children may be familiar with in English (for example, "Oso pardo,
Oso pardo" - Brown Bear, Brown Bear) and end with "Brilla Brilla Estrellita" (Twinkle Twinkle Little Star) and our Adios song.
Which class is most suitable for my child - Barefoot Boogie or Bailemos 1,2,3?
The Barefoot Boogie class is for babies 4 to 14 months old and is designed for pre-walkers. The class is 30 minutes in length which seems to be
an appropriate length of time for children of this age. The Bailemos 1,2,3 class is for children who are already walking comfortably. It is 45
minutes in length.
If you are unsure as to which class is most appropriate for your child, please e-mail me so that I can help you to decide which class would be the
best fit for your child.
What is the role of the parent/caregiver in class?
Our classes do involve significant participation on the part of the adult accompanying the child. Latin dancing is partner dancing! This means
that, depending on the age/size of the child, the adult will either be carrying the child when we do the dance portion of the class or walking in hand
in hand with the child. This involvement is something that the adult will either love or not! As with anything in life, the parent/caregiver is the
child's role model. If you are enjoying yourself and taking part with enthusiasm, chances are that the child will too!
My child just sits there in class or wanders around. What should I do?
As a mother who has attended many mommy and me classes during the past eight years, I know how incredibly frustrating this can be.
My advice is this: is your child bringing the class home in any way? Some children sit in class and do not participate but then go home and
recreate the class from start to finish. If this is the case, then your child is benefitting from the class and, given time, will participate more and
more in class.
It can take children many weeks before they participate in class. Some children may never participate fully and yet they are still enjoying the
class. My five year old daughter still talks fondly of a ballet class she took when she was two. My recollection is that she sat on my lap the entire
time and yet she loved it!