Could anyone please give me advice on any pros and cons of ballet (or other dance?) and gymnastics, and how to choose which one is likely to appeal to DD long term?
Also, any advice on choosing one particular class/club over another would be appreciated. I feel pretty clueless about it!
DD is just 2.3 so although we can do trial classes, her reaction will vary a lot based on mood! Also, although there are quite a few of each type of class within driving distance, they tend to have long waiting lists so we can't easily chop and change. Doing both isn't really an option except maybe very short term.
DD loves moving, climbing, balancing and using her body. She's unusually advanced at that (not being pfb - she's very average at everything else!). She has amazing balance and is very adventurous on playground equipment (and stairs, walls, railings, scooter...). It's hard to describe, but she just GETS how to use her body.
In some ways, gymnastics seems the obvious choice. But because movement flows so naturally for her, I'm almost wary that being taught techniques for how to move might mess with that. I'm also a bit worried that she isn't very keen on being told what to do, and I assume that will be important in gymnastics.
The case for dancing is that she's shown the usual little girl interest in 'dancing like a princess' (spinning around with her arms up) and more importantly has always seemed very responsive to music and moving to it. (Most memorably, dancing like a crazed person with head banging as my friend played his South American drum ). My gut feeling tells me she would really enjoy dancing. And I suspect that she's more likely to be co-operative when it involves following the group, rather than following individual instructions!
Following instructions is quite a concern. At music class, it's hard to stop her wandering off and climbing, whereas the other children sit happily in the circle. I'm hoping that something physical which she is interested in will be easier, but I suspect it will be on her own terms - so if one of the activities is very regimented that probably wouldn't be a good fit.
Alternatively, if you have an idea for a different activity/sport which you think would suit based on my description, I'd be very happy to hear it!
Thank you for reading to the end!
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Ballet or gymnastics?
16 replies
Strawberrybubblegum · 26/04/2015 09:29
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MiaowTheCat ·
14/01/2016 08:12
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