Diddi Dance
Diddi dance are funky pre-school dance classes for girls and boys. Classes help with co-ordination, rhythm and gross motor skills whilst also boosting children’s confidence.
At Diddi Dance we realise and encourage endless enthusiasm and energy in an action packed, full of fun 45 minute dance class.
Using various dancing games and exercises, bells, hoops and dance ribbons to our own funky pop songs your little one not only improves their rhythm and co-ordination but also social and gross motor skills. We are also the only pre-school dance program to explore over 10 different different dance styles every half term from salsa and hip hop to Bollywood and disco.
Classes are ideally suited for both boys and girls between 2-4 years old. We have had children as young as 16 months, so always call to book a free trial.
Parents and carers are encouraged to join in and share the enjoyment with their diddi dancer. However, week after week as you see their confidence blossom you will find yourself able to take a well earned rest and watch with pride their funky moves and smiles. We realise that some toddlers are more outgoing than others. We therefore offer a free trial so you can be confident it’s a class they'll enjoy. Bookings are then taken in blocks of 4 or 8 weeks instead of having to book for a whole term.
The classes were devised and started by Anne-Marie Martin, a professional dancer with over 10 years teaching experience. After running for over 7 years in London we are now opening all over the UK.
To find out more about our classes, parties or nursery sessions simply go to www.diddidance.com or call Anne-Marie on 07973 982790 and join the fun.
I always knew from an early age I wanted to dance and I was lucky enough to perform all over the world and for some amazing pop artists. However I’d never really thought about what after? I fancied some sort of dance school but wanted something different from the norm. When I started working with children of pre-school age I found it the most fun and rewarding age ever. They have endless energy and enthusiasm and although teaching this age means to have to match that, you never tire of it! There wasn’t at the time anything fun and funky focusing on just movement and dance.
So I started diddi dance. Just as a part time class at first fitting around my other teaching and performing as a professional dancer. The classes proved popular and I saw the potential for a full time business opportunity. I expanded into a few other areas in London and each area took off better than I had expected! There seemed to be a real demand for pure fun dance classes where parents could stay and enjoy moving with their toddler. I kept the classes funky and fresh and found a routine that really seemed to work including dancing games, exercises, partner work and fun props. I then decided to add different styles to the class. I wanted to keep a familiar routine to the class yet add enough changes to keep it fresh and new. I started with a few styles, salsa, pop and rock and roll and added more and more. We now have over 10 different styles including disco, hip hop, bollywood and ballroom!
I'd always wanted a career that would fit round family life even before I had my son (I'd been broody since my early 20s)! So creating classes that were for families was perfect. I expanded more to cope with the demand in London and employed teachers. I believed the classes were unique enough to then franchise the concept so in 2006 after professional franchise advice, I took on a few pilot schemes to test the concept out of London. It’s a big step and not one to be taken lightly, financially or on a time basis. I was then not only a teacher, choreographer and business owner I was a franchisor with a whole load of extra responsibilities.
They went well too and after lots more professional advice I tweaked the franchise package ready to sell to ex dancers and mums who have an interest in toddlers and fun fitness. I also took on a franchise director who has a business background. She brings invaluable knowledge to the business that I don’t have and eases the load, there’s only so much 1 person can do in 24 hours! Without her we wouldn’t have doubled the number of franchisees within 6 months! We now have people from all sorts of backgrounds running franchises from marketing directors to drama teachers, special needs teachers and west end stars! We have 13 franchises currently offering classes, parties and nursery and children’s centre’s sessions. Our team meet up as often as possible and all share ideas its great bouncing ideas off others and although it sounds cheesy we get on like a big family, I think due to the people we accept as franchisees have to have the right personality to fit our brand.
Personally I love seeing direct results of the hard work I put in and love picking my hours around family life. Yes there’s always something that needs doing and you can very rarely switch off but as things grow you see it’s all worth it. I’d advise people that support and advice is the key to starting up, have supporting people around you so you don’t go mad and seek professional advice for everything and anything! The main thing is to find something you’re passionate about though so all the hard work doesn’t feel like a chore, rather something you love doing!
We’ve had some really exciting projects lately such as appearing on Louie Spence’s Showbusiness on Sky1 and organising a big fundraising event for Tommy’s the baby charity.
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Does your toddler rarely want to sit still? Do they have what feels like endless energy? Feel like you’ve tried everything to tire them out? Why not try dancing. ……
Dancing even for the under 4s is not only a great way of keeping fit and active but it’s also GREAT FUN! If you find the right style that your toddler loves then they can learn key skills too. Dancing helps with co-ordination and gross motor skills as well as rhythm. Dance is also a great confidence builder and can help with social skills.
Dance is just for girls though right? Wrong, if your toddler is a boy you’ll know he wants to jump around to his favourite music just as much as his female friends. He may not want to be a ballerina or fairy but give him a toy guitar and he’s a rock and roll star! Plus boys need tiring out just as much, if not more than girls and what better way to do this than 45 minutes of jumping, turning, galloping, moving and shaking?
With obesity rates in under 4s at their highest right now exercise is so important to avoid this continuing into later life. Exercise should be enjoyed. In the first few years of every child’s life how they view exercise is instilled and their view will stay with them for life so teach them that it can be great fun. Dance is an ideal way of doing this. Put on music and let them do their own thing at home or find a funky session that teaches all the key elements in a professional and fun way. You want to make sure the teacher is inspiring and full of energy to keep the children engaged. The session should be action packed and full of exciting props and catchy music so they cant resist getting up to join in.
To see if you have a funky dance class in your area why not look up diddi dance. The sessions are taught by experienced professionals following inspiring lesson plans that explore lots of different dance styles from hip hop to salsa and country to rock and roll.
Find out more at www.diddidance.com if you don’t currently have classes locally then don’t worry we are recruiting enthusiastic energetic franchisees across the country all the time so there will be a class near you very soon!