Ballet or keyboard?

[earpods]

Hi All,

I have a dilemma for my 4 year old.

She starts reception in September and she currently goes swimming and drama.

Do you think she should start ballet or keyboard classes from September?

She hasn't tried any of them and I just have one evening free in the week to take her to an activity.

I know I can ask her what she prefers but how much value would that have? I mean she changes her mind every day about everything! Today she may X tomorrow she will say Y. And just one week's free trial may not be enough for her to choose.

I just don't know if ballet is somehow already covered in her drama class as they do singing/dancing/acting?

On the other hand although keyboard classes start at 4 years old where we live, will she be too young for it?

Any advice/experience is welcome.

AIBU - Ballet
AINBU - Keyboard

I think 4 is a bit young for music lessons. Mine started at 7. They need to practice between lessons which often means you nagging them. Ballet sounds fun but 3 activities a week is a lot for that age.

I would be tempted to use the free evening just to spend some time together with her. She will be exhausted after school when she first starts.

If you absolutely need to do an activity, ballet is always a good one to start early. Both my kids love dance and started age 2. I think keyboard/piano is best when they're a bit older and have longer fingers!

I voted ballet because age 4 is a bit too young for keyboard/piano lessons.

I have one child who trained as a professional dancerr and one child who is currently studying keyboard at conservatoire! Both were given the opportunity to do both activities and chose their own path.

My kids loved dance but hated ballet. Lasted two terms. Their teacher was very old school RADA and it didn't suit them at all. Did much better in street dance.

Then moved into gymnastics but they really missed the boat with that one, loved it but were in a class with younger kids as their cohort had all started younger.

Depends on the child I think, I can't imagine listening to a 4yo packing keyboard to be much fun though!

Reception can be very tiring for children - 5 days full. It might be worth giving her a term or two before giving her evening activities.

In terms of suitability, ballet might be better as her hands will be so small for a keyboard

I think ballet. It's so good for posture and strength as well as being fun for the little ones.

If anything I would only add Rainbows or Squirrels to Drama and Swimming unless she has specifically asked for something

Definitely keyboard. I think ballet is fairly useless, personally.

Does she have to? Don’t underestimate how tiring school is.

Two additional activities plus starting school is more than enough at 4.

She’s doing enough already.

I'd go for ballet. My DD started toddler ballet at age 3 and is still going 10 years later, working through the grades. Her PE teacher at school has remarked how strong her legs are and she loves performing in the dance school's shows, it's brought her confidence on a lot.

Four is too young for ballet really- but music and movement is all good. She’s really too young for piano too.

Why not just have a walk, chat, play silly games, get her to help tidy the cupboards (!), make a scrap book, watch the birds, song songs….loads of other options!

Schedule in unscheduled time. If I am ever asked what I would do differently if I was to start child rearing again, I always say fewer extra curricular things

Too young for music lessons; wait a couple of years. There might be offers of other instrumental lessons through the school in any case, which would enable her to join ensembles.

Swimming, drama plus starting school is enough unless she's expressed a desire to try something. Don't fill her time just because you can. It's no bad thing to a) have chill-out time and b) understand dealing with a little boredom from time to time!

Ballet will snowball to tap, street, acro, modern...... And sounds like it's already covered in another group.

She is doing enough right now and school is exhausting. I would keep that day as 'friends day's and have that as the day you have playdates and help her develop her social skills at home and that she can rest. Alternatively enroll her in Rainbows or Cubs, that ways she's exposed to socialising and lots of activities.

Swap swimming for keyboard when she is competent

I say the above as mother whose child was scheduled for activities after school everyday and we didn't stop until COVID made everything stop. Do not fill every minute, it will do neither of you any good, I'd keep it to a maximum of -
1 x Physical activity
1 x Group activity
1 x Arts activity

These will change over the years and seasons for example DD plays rugby September - April then watersports in the summer.

Ballet is all skipping about pretending to be fairies, teddy bears and soldiers at that age anyway. It does introduce them to classical music though, helps with rhythm, co-ordination, balance, listening to the teacher and taking turns, so it is worth a go.

Keyboard - at 4, their hands are probably too small. Unless you already have a keyboard or piano at home (and people who play it), then it's not really worth it.

@earpods OP If I were you, I'd find a ballet class at a suitable time and ask if she can have a trial lesson before the end of term to see how she gets on. Some like it, some hate it, and you'll soon find out!

As someone who did both she’s far too young for keyboard lessons. I know, I know! There is the odd prodigal child who’s grade 8 piano before they can talk but at that young age I’d go with dance.

I would also knock drama on the head for a few years and take her to hose riding lessons. There will be plenty of recitals at dance class

You may find she can do ballet and keyboard at school. My DD did. Although she didn't start keyboard until Y2.

That’s great advice all thank you! It gave me another perspective.

Many of you said that school is exhausting but she is already going to the nursery 5 days a week 8.30-5.30.

Can it be more exhausting than that?

Is reception 9-3 more exhausting than nursery 8.30-5.30 ?

She's much too young for keyboard. At that age only Suzuki method on a small instrument like a half size violin makes any sense. There's not really much point starting piano until she's bigger, stronger and reading confidently. Ballet has most of the benefits of Suzuki: discipline, rhythm and musicality with the added bonus of exercise.

In my experience, yes. Much more tiring.

Depends what's she's doing after school... if she's going to after school care like childminder or at school then it will be a long day.

If she's going home at 3 she might have more energy

Keyboard.

She already does two physical activities.

A musical literacy will set her up well for other areas in life.