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Original poster

Baby Ballet experiences?

29 replies

babylovesmilkdrink · 27/01/2025 14:24

I took DD (nearly 18 months) to a Babyballet trial last week. We already do a swimming and music class (she loves both) and otherwise fill our times with toddler groups and playdates (I am a SAHM) but I thought it might be nice to try something new. The class was friendly and fun but a lot of focus on turn waiting and staying on the mat, both of which (but particularly the latter) were tricky for DD who just wanted to explore the room. She was the youngest there by 6 months and it really showed. She definitely wasn't able to follow many of the instructions, despite generally being very good for her age at following commands. I'm unsure whether to go again. I have friends who rave about Babyballet but their children are in the 6-18m class so maybe that is less structured? Can I ask for people's experiences of it and when their DC were best able to enjoy it? The location and timing suit us very nicely and maybe I should be aiming to give DD more structure(?) but I'm not sure I want to continue if I'm going to spend every Friday trying to hold DD in one position for the forseeable. Grin

OP posts:
Scottishgirl85 · 27/01/2025 14:27

She's too young for that to be in any way fun. Try again in 6 months.

Original poster
babylovesmilkdrink · 27/01/2025 14:30

Yes I think I felt this. Her other classes are starting to focus more on turn taking, sharing, tidying up etc. and I focus on this too out and about, but the staying in one place was new and didn't feel particularly fun for either of us. She's my first so I suppose I don't really know whether that would be something she'd get used to quickly or if it's just not developmentally not happening at this age!

OP posts:
Knockgour · 27/01/2025 14:41

OP, in the nicest possible way, what are you thinking? She's a year and a half old! She should be exploring the world, not taking classes where she's having to be held in one spot and obeying instructions, and she certainly, at 18 months, doesn't need 'structure'. If you need more structure in your days, find something that works for you and doesn't cramp her style.

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Original poster
babylovesmilkdrink · 27/01/2025 14:44

Knockgour · 27/01/2025 14:41

OP, in the nicest possible way, what are you thinking? She's a year and a half old! She should be exploring the world, not taking classes where she's having to be held in one spot and obeying instructions, and she certainly, at 18 months, doesn't need 'structure'. If you need more structure in your days, find something that works for you and doesn't cramp her style.

No I'm glad you said that! I'd just had a few people rave about them and she likes music and 'dancing' so I thought she'd have fun and then as the class is designed for babies her age I thought maybe I'd missed something and she was meant to be able to do those things... Thank you for talking some sense into me Grin. I definitely don't need more structure, I love watching her run around at toddler group and music class.

OP posts:
Pyjamatimenow · 27/01/2025 14:47

Mine has only just started ballet at 4. I found playgroups where they could just do their own thing better. I wouldn’t pay for a structured class until she’s a bit older.

MaroonyBalloony · 27/01/2025 14:54

I tried football with mine at two and had a similar experience. I stupidly stressed us both out for a few sessions trying to make it work before realizing it just wasn't appropriate or fun for him and so there was really no point! We just take a ball to the park now and have a great time. If I were you I'd stick to kitchen discos for now!

HPandthelastwish · 27/01/2025 14:57

They offer classes because parents pay for it. DD is in her teens now, I look back and regret some of the choices I made during her early years, I didn't want her to miss out so enrolled her in lots and it ended up costing lots in time and money. Baby ballet soon snowballs Into tap, modern, street, drama and singing by the time they are 4/5. And it's hard to extricate yourself from.

If I had my time again I'd do less classes and more us time, swimming but just the two of us, Bushcraft but out in the local woods instead of paying someone £5 a week to point out trees etc that I could.

Swimming was worth it but I taught her myself until she was 7 and needed to focus on technique and now she plays rugby.

taxi4ballet · 27/01/2025 15:01

Ballet is a total waste of time and money at this age, and is akin to herding cats. If you think your dc might be interested later on, wait until they are turning 3 and then find a proper dance school.

User7288339 · 27/01/2025 15:03

Just waft a silk scarf over her face and call it baby sensory

Kftc · 27/01/2025 15:08

We had a similar experience at baby ballet. It was a bit boring for both of us with lots of waiting or sitting doing exercises. We decided that rugbytots might be more appropriate as there was running around and it was more fun. Now she is 7 we have gone back to ballet and tap when she has more patience and they do more in the lessons

Noodlesnotstrudels · 27/01/2025 15:08

DD1 has just started a nursery ballet classes for ages 2-4 (she is 3.5y) and the little ones definitely struggle. She is absolutely loving it and the two teachers are brilliant at keeping them moving so theres very little sitting still. I'd give it a break for a 18months or so and wait until she's a bit older and more used to following instructions at nursery / preschool or whatever.

Knockgour · 27/01/2025 15:10

babylovesmilkdrink · 27/01/2025 14:44

No I'm glad you said that! I'd just had a few people rave about them and she likes music and 'dancing' so I thought she'd have fun and then as the class is designed for babies her age I thought maybe I'd missed something and she was meant to be able to do those things... Thank you for talking some sense into me Grin. I definitely don't need more structure, I love watching her run around at toddler group and music class.

Show quote history

You're very welcome! It just sounded like extra stress all round!😀

Snorlaxo · 27/01/2025 15:12

Classes for that age group are about mums meeting other mums not about the kids doing ballet really.

It’s fine to wait until 2.5/3 years old before enrolling in a class that your dd might enjoy.

SemperIdem · 27/01/2025 15:14

I tried baby ballet when my daughter was a similar age. Had the same experience really and swiftly stopped going!

TickingAlongNicely · 27/01/2025 15:15

The classes help the mums structure their week. The kids will be just as happy with toys, running around and music style toddler groups.

coxesorangepippin · 27/01/2025 15:16

A trial??? For baby ballet?? She might not get accepted???

coxesorangepippin · 27/01/2025 15:16

a lot of focus on turn waiting and staying on the mat, both of which (but particularly the latter) were tricky for DD

^

Yup

IkaBaar · 27/01/2025 15:18

We did Kindergym, which sounds less structured. The structured bits were optional too.

Original poster
babylovesmilkdrink · 27/01/2025 15:39

Thanks for all the comments. I’m definitely not looking for more structure or company for myself, I just wanted to try something new. It felt much more serious than anything I’ve done with her before. I’ll definitely leave it for now.

@coxesorangepippin it was a trial to see if we wanted to sign up fortunately - I think we’d have definitely failed a proper trial though Grin

OP posts:
MaloryJones · 27/01/2025 15:42

IkaBaar · 27/01/2025 15:18

We did Kindergym, which sounds less structured. The structured bits were optional too.

Oh that has taken me back .. I had forgotten that in the early 90s I took my DD to what was, at the time, called Tumble Tots.
She enjoyed that but mostly we went to various toddlers groups, visiting friends so DD could play with their DCs and the park, swimming etc.
Awww I miss those Days

taxi4ballet · 27/01/2025 15:46

coxesorangepippin · 27/01/2025 15:16

A trial??? For baby ballet?? She might not get accepted???

😂It means 'come along and have a go at a session and see if your kid likes it before you pay for the whole term and all the totally unnecessary uniform'.

MiddleAgedDread · 27/01/2025 15:47

save your money, there's a reason things like dance classes used to only start from primary age!!

Original poster
babylovesmilkdrink · 27/01/2025 20:39

taxi4ballet · 27/01/2025 15:46

😂It means 'come along and have a go at a session and see if your kid likes it before you pay for the whole term and all the totally unnecessary uniform'.

Show quote history

The total unnecessary but very cute uniform was one of the main attractions Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
babylovesmilkdrink · 27/01/2025 20:40

MaloryJones · 27/01/2025 15:42

Oh that has taken me back .. I had forgotten that in the early 90s I took my DD to what was, at the time, called Tumble Tots.
She enjoyed that but mostly we went to various toddlers groups, visiting friends so DD could play with their DCs and the park, swimming etc.
Awww I miss those Days

Show quote history

This reminds me that there is a tumble tots class almost directly opposite where we live. Perhaps that would be more our thing!

OP posts:
Iwishiwasapolarbear · 27/01/2025 20:43

I tried my dd at baby or mini ballet when she was 3.5- it was a huge disaster! Even at 3 she was not happy with sitting there pointing toes etc. it was worth a try but def not for her! She’s 9 now and likes rugby and boxing 😂