How to Help Dance Students Belong (44 Journal Prompts)

We've all seen it and it breaks our hearts. The talented dancer who constantly apologizes for taking up space. The student who has all the technical skills but seems to shrink during combinations. The teenager who's been with you for years but still looks around nervously, wondering if they really belong. We see the talent and the potential, but we also see dancers feeling like outsiders in their own class.

As dance teachers, we know that our technical knowledge isn't enough. Students learn best when they feel like valued members of the dance community—but creating that sense of belonging isn't always straightforward, especially when we want to stay in our lane as educators rather than stepping into therapy territory. (Raise your hand if you have a "woah, that belonged in a therapy session instead of a variations class" story. On second thought, don't. Those stories get scary.)

The Hidden Cost of Not Belonging

When students don't feel like they belong, it shows up everywhere. They hold back in combinations, have trouble projecting energy, and measure their worth by comparing themselves to everyone else. Ballet class becomes less fun because learning gets harder when students spend mental energy wondering if they fit in rather than focusing on the material.

The research is clear: students who feel they belong are more likely to take productive risks, integrate corrections effectively, and persist through challenges. They bring their whole selves to class instead of trying to be who they think you want them to be.

Why Journal Prompts Work (And Why They're Safe)

After spending months diving into psychology research, I discovered something powerful: guided reflection through journaling helps students process their sense of belonging internally. No therapy training required—just thoughtful questions that help dancers recognize their unique value.

Here's what makes journaling different from counseling: you're not diagnosing, treating, or analyzing. You're simply providing structured opportunities for students to reflect on their own experiences, strengths, and growth. Journaling is a supportive activity, not a replacement for professional help when needed.

What 44 Research-Backed Prompts Can Do

The first thing I noticed when implementing these prompts was an energy bump in class. Not that day—introspection is tiring—but the general energy of the next class was higher and stayed high throughout the year. Dancers seemed more excited to come to class and more willing to take risks.

My favorite chapter is "Contributing Your Strengths to Team Success." I actually cried writing the first draft because this was where my own sense of belonging stalled out as a teen.

This chapter helped me with one of my students, too. Kendall had turned to bullying in 6th grade, got called out by the studio owner, and genuinely apologized—but the team felt fractured and she couldn't move on. Helping that group reflect on their strengths and how those strengths helped others was a game-changer. Everyone got a confidence boost and became more aware of and grateful for each other. Three years later, these dancers cheer each other on more than any group I've worked with.

How to Fit This In

• Go through one chapter per year. Make it your studio theme. Schedule 5 minutes during the first technique class of each quarter. (Each chapter has 4 prompts, so they divide perfectly into quarters.)

• Include a chapter at each team party. Five minutes of journaling at the beginning makes a huge difference. You can even decorate the journals as a craft project.

• Use one chapter per month. This works especially well for dancers who "hate ballet"—what they usually mean is they feel like there isn't an opportunity for them to succeed.

• Save prompts for when your gut says it's right. This isn't like flossing where consistency is key. Use them as often or infrequently as you like—they'll help your dancers either way.

  
  

When dancers feel like they belong in your class, they transform.

Finding Your Spot: Dance Journal Prompts for a Sense of Belonging is available through June 30th. After that, you'll have to wait until my next limited release to get these 44 prompts. Don't let another semester pass watching talented dancers apologize for taking up space!

Get Finding Your Spot →