Toddler and kids dance classes, from age 3
Sofi Dance School runs dance classes for toddlers from age 3 and for children up to 10 (up to 7 in Carrigtwohill) in Cobh and Carrigtwohill, Co. Cork, in ballroom and Latin, in groups of the same age and in 8-week blocks. The first class is free, no outfit or experience is needed, and a class for 3 year olds lasts 30 minutes.
No payment, no outfit needed · Sofia replies within a day
Which group is right for my child?
3 to 4/5 years, 30 minutes. First steps, rhythm, coordination and fun. Children learn to listen to the music, find the beat, move on their own and next to a partner. Every exercise is a game. Cobh, Mondays at 13:55.
4/5 to 6 years, 40 minutes. The same foundations, with the first real figures of cha cha, jive and waltz, and the beginning of posture work. Cobh, Mondays at 14:25. In Carrigtwohill, the "Ballroom Dance, 4 to 7 years" class on Tuesdays at 16:25 covers this age group and the next one together, for children from 4 to 7.
6 to 10 years, 50 minutes. Technique, posture, confidence and teamwork. Children learn complete routines in several dances, dance with partners and in formation, and can prepare for a show or, later, a competition. Cobh, Mondays at 15:05.
If you are not sure, book the free trial in the younger group. Sofia will tell you after the class which group fits.
Timetable and prices
Cobh
Great Island Community Centre · from 5 October
- Kids 3 to 4/5 years€8030 minper block
- Kids 4/5 to 6 years€9040 minper block
- Kids 6 to 10 years€9850 minper block
Carrigtwohill
Carrigtwohill Community Centre · from 6 October
- Mum & Baby stretch and play€9845 minper block
- Ballroom Dance, 4 to 7 years€8535 minper block
The two classes run back to back, so you can join both with children of different ages.
Why ballroom and Latin for a 3 year old?
Ballroom and Latin dance teach young children to listen to music, control their body and move with a partner, which is rare in other activities at this age.
At Sofi Dance School, classes for the youngest (3 to 4/5) last 30 minutes and are built around games, rhythm and coordination, not drills.
- Coordination and posture. Children learn to stand tall and move on the beat before they learn steps.
- Confidence with others. Every class includes dancing with a partner or in a group, so shy children get used to being seen.
- A skill they keep. Waltz, cha cha and jive are danced at every Irish wedding. They will use it.
What happens in a class?
Each class follows the same rhythm, so children know what to expect: a short warm-up to music, a game that works on one skill (balance, listening, moving with a partner), a dance figure learned step by step, and a final "performance" where everyone shows what they did.
What does my child learn?
- To hear the beat and move on it.
- To stand tall and hold their arms, which is posture for life.
- To dance with someone: lead, follow, wait for their turn, hold hands with a classmate. Shy children get used to being seen in a group that is kind.
- Real dances: waltz, cha cha and jive, the dances of every Irish wedding.
Questions parents ask
What should they wear?
Comfortable clothes they can move in, socks or soft shoes. No tutu, no special shoes for the first block.
Can I stay?
Yes for the trial. After that, children usually concentrate better when parents wait outside. You are always invited to the last class of each block.
My child is shy or very active. Is this for them?
Yes. Groups are small, Sofia is a certified children's fitness instructor, and the class is built around games. Shy children have a partner; active children have a lot to do.
What if we miss a class?
Tell Sofia on WhatsApp so she knows. A missed class is not caught up in another group and is not refunded.
How do I pay?
Per 8-week block, before the second class, by Revolut or cash. No membership, no joining fee.
Is there a show?
Not at the end of this first block. Any show for parents will be announced in class.
Who teaches?
Sofia Doroshyna. Competitive Latin dancer since 2014, trained in Kyiv, certified Children's Fitness Instructor (2019), Garda vetted, mother of a young boy. About Sofia