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Extra-curricular activities

Find advice on the best extra curricular activities in secondary schools and primary schools here.

Ballet, shall I just let her quit?

54 replies

AWimbaWay · 19/09/2013 11:41

My 7 year old daughter has been taking ballet, tap and modern dance classes for 3 years, she has always really enjoyed and looked forward to them.

In May this year she was chosen to take an extra ballet class with two others her age as the teacher felt she showed potential, she has just received distinction in her primary ballet exam, these pupils will get the opportunity to audition for the Royal Ballet Associates next year.

Before the summer she seemed to enjoy her classes and was excited at the prospect of next years audition. This morning out of the blue she has asked if she can stop the extra classes. She said she doesn't enjoy them.

I think she's tired, she does do too much, she does swimming, gymnastics and Brownies along with the dancing. She doesn't want to stop Brownies or Gymnastics, giving up swimming isn't an option as I see that as a necessity.

So, shall I just accept that she's just not that bothered about the dancing so it would be silly to push her. She would still be able to do her normal class. It just seems to be a shame to waste a natural talent, her teacher is always saying how gifted she is but I really don't want to be a pushy Mother!

OP posts:
AWimbaWay · 27/09/2013 08:31

Homebythesea, her swimming is getting stronger all the time and I've said she can stop once she is good enough to move up a class by which point I think she'll be a competent enough swimmer, she can only just swim a lengh atm. It is the one activity she'd be more than happy to stop!

OP posts:
Pistillate · 12/10/2013 21:38

What in interesting conversation. I just have one point to add, which is that 7 year olds don't always know what they want, and can say "I want to stop" for many reasons that are nothing to do with them actually wanting to stop! I just the same way that some children carry on with activities they don't really want to do.

I wouldn't make a decision about my child's future commitment to an activity on the basis of them saying they want to stop once or twice. I would be watching them to see if they are enjoying their practise, and making time for open conversations about how it is going and how it is making them feel, and what they are learning, and how they are growing by doing the activity.

What a lot of dedicated parents on here! Hats off to you all.

shebird · 13/10/2013 18:41

Watching with interest as I also have a DD who has exam distinctions in ballet,modern and tap and would like to do more. She would like to compete in festivals but the practice for this clashes with her swimming lesson so I have said no. I agree with thoughtsplease about investing everything in a single activity but maybe I am wrongConfused

Sparklymommy · 20/10/2013 18:07

shebird when you say the practise for festivals clashes is that for group numbers? Could she not do a festival solo or even a duet at a time more convienient for you?

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