S2S Parents Code of Conduct

• If children are interested in dance and sports, encourage them. However, if children are not willing, encourage them, do not force them.
• Encourage students to see live professional performances and events as often as possible.
• Encourage students to practice at home. Always be willing to watch them or help them if they ask.
• Focus upon the childs efforts and performance rather than the overall outcome of the examination, competition, or audition. This assists children in setting realistic goals related to their ability by reducing the emphasis on winning.
• Teach children that an honest effort is as important as a victory, so that the results of each examination, performance, competition, or audition are accepted without undue disappointment.
• Encourage children to always participate according to the rules.
• Never ridicule or yell at a child for making a mistake, not being placed at a competition or not passing an examination.
• Remember, children are involved in dance and sports for their enjoyment, not yours.
• Remember, children learn best from example. Applaud good performances by all performers, not just your child or your team.
• Always show respect to your child's coaches and club.
• If you disagree with an examiner, adjudicator, or critic, raise the issue through the appropriate channels rather than question the official's judgment in public.
• Support all efforts to remove verbal and physical abuse from dance and sporting activities.
• If you have any issues in regards to your childs training, seek a meeting, phone call, or email with the coach without your child present.

In the area of children's dance and sports, where the students are often high achievers, perceived pressure to please parenting figures can add to the stress, both positive and negative, of daily living and growing. The above suggestion for a code of behaviour for parents is intended to support them in their efforts to reassure their children that dance and sports is for the childs own enjoyment and that they are loved for themselves rather than for their achievements.

At Steps 2 Stardom, we reserve the right to ask Parents and their children who continue to break the above code of conduct to leave Steps 2 Stardom.

Adapted from National Aussie Sport Program coaching manual - Australian Sports Commission, Bruce, ACT