As a parent, we always want to do what is best for our children. From understanding the foods they eat to their exercise habits, we want to prepare them for a healthy future. If your child has expressed interest in dance, particularly ballet classes, it’s understandable that you may have some questions.
When deciding if your little one is ready for ballet and what age is best to begin their training, there are a few factors to consider. We have outlined some key questions to ask yourself and some guidelines that can help you determine what is best for your child’s health, passion, and creativity.
Why Does Your Child Want to Dance?
One of the most important factors in deciding when your child should start ballet is if they have expressed a genuine interest in ballet and why they are interested in the first place. For example, if your child wants to dance competitively, or if you hope to encourage your child to pursue dance competitively, the earlier they start taking classes, the better.
The best age for competitive dancers to begin taking dance classes is between ages 4-5 so they can cultivate a passion for the art form and work on musicality, discipline, and coordination. However, more serious ballet training typically doesn’t start until ages 8-10, when your child’s body has developed enough to withstand ballet’s rigorous and physically demanding techniques.
If your child is looking for a creative outlet that allows them to move and provides them exercise, then no age is wrong to start dance classes. Whether your child is 3-4 and needs an outlet for their energy, or they are elementary aged and want to try something new, a child of any age can improve their health and creativity through dance.
At our studio in Fresno, California, we offer Movin’ & Groovin’ classes for toddlers and ballet lessons for kids that work on developing their musicality, coordination, and imagination. These classes are tailored to work on early development and coordination, spending little time on technique or discipline. We also offer classes for Preschool Dance and Beginning School Age Dance. Older children can enjoy training in our Dance Conservatory program through In The Spotlight. This pre-professional dance program is designed to teach ballet techniques (and all other genres) at the highest level. At America’s Kids In Motion, there is a path for every child that is interested in ballet.
Dancing en Pointe in Ballet
Another frequently asked ballet question is at what age children should start to practice dancing en pointe or in pointe shoes. This is a complicated question that varies from child to child, but we’ve compiled some expert and medical opinions to answer this question.
Dancing en pointe is a beautiful and challenging technique experienced ballet dancers perform. They perform entire numbers on their toes in special pointe shoes, which requires an extraordinary level of balance, muscular strength, focus, and technique. Attempting to dance en pointe without this experience can lead to ankle injuries and permanent issues in the growth plates of the feet.
According to the Washington University Orthopedics Department and Bloch, the renowned ballet footwear manufacturer, here are a few guidelines to determine if a dancer is ready for pointe:
- The dancer should be 11 years old. Growth plates don’t fully form until the teenage years, so many children wait until 12-13 to practice pointe. Generally, 11 years old is the minimum age that most experts have agreed upon for a child to begin pointe training.
- The dancer should have 3-5 years of rigorous training. Regardless of age, the dancer should have years of dance training and experience to ensure that they have built the technique and strength necessary to support this feat and the discipline to hear and accept adjustments from their teachers that will promote safety.
- The dancer must be physically strong. A dancer looking to practice pointe must have the necessary core strength, ankle strength, and proper turnout to support themselves during advanced pointe exercises.
Consult Your Child’s Dance Studio and Ballet Expert
At the end of the day, all of the guidelines in this article are just that – guidelines. Every child has unique needs and skill sets that determine when they are ready to begin taking ballet classes or dancing en pointe. Therefore, it’s always best to consult your child’s dance teacher you can trust to provide their expertise on whether your child is ready.
At In the Spotlight Dance Studio from America’s Kids in Motion, our coaches have decades of combined dance training and professional experience. As a result, our teachers can assess each child’s individual needs and help young dancers in Fresno County safely explore their passion and develop their ballet technique and skill.
Contact Us to learn more about our dance classes or to register your child and begin their ballet training today.
