An integral part of the Peridance Center, the renowned PeriChild/PeriTeen Program was established in 1986. From a handful of classes and approximately 30 students, it has grown to more than 70 weekly classes for children ages 18 months through 16 years. Even though the program has grown extensively, the PeriChild Program and its professional and well trained faculty are proud that the same personal touch remains from when classes were first offered back in 1986. The program maintains this aim by having a limited number of students in all of its classes, allowing room for all students to get the necessary individual attention. While offering everything from Toddler Dancing through Ballet, Tap, Modern, Jazz, Hip-Hop and karate, the program adheres to a well-structured curriculum and incorporates the inherent creativity of children and teens into all classes at all levels. The primary goal of the school is to instill in the students proper dance technique while retaining their inherent love of dance through positive and supportive teaching methods. Since all classes are taught at Peridance’s professional dance center, the children have the opportunity to see rehearsals and adult classes first hand, and are able to find role models in their surrounding environment, as they watch professional dancers work their craft. Classes begin with once or twice a week for the young, and increase in frequency as the program progresses. Each spring semester culminates with an annual children’s performance in a Manhattan theater, featuring all PeriChild students involved in Creative Ballet and up. For the young dancer, this is indeed dance education of the highest quality.