| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | back, leading to problems later in life. |
| When should you let your daughter start en pointe | | | | Once you feel comfortably certain that your |
| work? Ballet Pointe dance is strenuous and requires a | | | | daughter is physically ready, talk seriously with her |
| lot of skill, but each dancer treasures her memories | | | | before you give final approval for ballet pointe work. |
| of the first time she makes it up and onto her toes. | | | | Find out why she wants to study this technique. It is |
| Your daughter should be at least 11 years old. Some | | | | not good enough if she just wants to take a class to |
| girls need to be a little older. Even if you started your | | | | be with her friends. Is she committed to dance? Has |
| daughter in classes at the age of 2 or 3, she must | | | | she demonstrated serious practice skills in her past |
| reach the age at which her bone development and | | | | classes? Below are some talking points to go over |
| growth plates have reached optimal levels before she | | | | with her: |
| starts pointe. | | | | - What is her motivation for pointe dance? What |
| A good teacher will not accept your daughter into a | | | | other types of ballet has she studied? |
| pointe class unless she has checked out her | | | | - Will she make a serious commitment to three hours |
| readiness. Your daughter's posture and alignment will | | | | of class time per week? Will her academic studies |
| be looked at. Her turnout must be sufficiently | | | | allow sufficient time? She should also consider how |
| developed. She needs to have a reached a good | | | | she ranks dance next to other teenage |
| level of strength and balance. And it's important that | | | | commitments, such as school clubs, a boyfriend, or a |
| she has already mastered many ballet techniques. | | | | part-time job. |
| Most girls do not reach that level until they have | | | | - To maintain and develop good musculature in her |
| studied ballet for at least three years. | | | | legs and back, she must exercise regularly. |
| And most of the girls who succeed take as many as | | | | - Even veteran pointe ballerinas suffer from blisters, |
| three hours of class instruction per week. That's the | | | | bunions, muscle aches, and fatigue. Do both of you |
| only way to be certain that your daughter keeps | | | | think she can work through challenges such as those? |
| proper form during dance and maintains the | | | | - The dancer must maintain her pointe shoes, be able |
| necessary flexibility. In some dance schools, there is | | | | to tie them, and monitor them for wear and tear. Is |
| an hour of regular ballet, followed by an hour or so | | | | she mature enough to do so carefully? |
| of pointe work. This type of schedule ensures that | | | | Ultimately, you as the parent can show your |
| everyone is thoroughly warmed up! | | | | daughter how to proceed with a plan. It can be |
| Stay away from a teacher who tries to start your | | | | beneficial if you find an internet newsletter or other |
| daughter before she has reached all these indicators | | | | resource with up-to-date information on tips and |
| of readiness. Even if she says she believes the | | | | tricks. And remember that involving your daughter in |
| growth spaces have closed up in her feet, it is still | | | | a team sport such as ballet pointe sets her on the |
| necessary for your daughter to be at an advanced | | | | road for positive practices that she will utilize |
| level of skill and strength. Otherwise, she will not only | | | | throughout her life! |
| put her feet at risk, she can damage her knees and | | | | |