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Original poster

Ballet? Yes or No?

86 replies

ekra · 22/03/2007 09:40

Did your dd do ballet classes? How long did they keep it up for?

DD1 says she wants to go to ballet classes. She currently goes to gymnastics and swimming. She's 4. I'm not overly keen on her going to ballet but it seems mean not to let her go if she is asking to go, although she's not begging me, merely mentioning it from time to time.

On the other hand, I suspect part of her desire to go to ballet classes is to wear pretty clothes.

She does very well at gymnastics and I'd like her to keep that up. I also want her to learn to swim, so I'm not dropping the swimming lessons.

TBH there are other things I would rather she took up if she has spare time and energy for an extra curricular activity. She's a very energetic, never still type of child and I think ballet may be too slow and disciplined for her.

So, is ballet class a rite of passage most girls goes through? How long do most girls keep it up for?

I'm sure I'll get a mixture of responses here.

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BalletMum · 22/03/2007 09:52

I am answering as a Ballet teacher not a Mum if you see what I mean. (I have two boys who start ballet next term whilst I am on Maternity leave having dd)

Most girls start at 3/4 and keep going until around 7 years. (It is the pretty clothes that they like along with Angelina Ballerina.) By 7 they usually make choices re what they like doing and are good at. Horseriding or gymnastics being my main competition!!

If your daughter does to Gymnastics she may find Ballet hard as you have to keep your back straight for ballet and bendy for gym. Although if they are good at Gym they are usually good at Ballet.

You say she is an energetic and a never stand still type of child. This is exactly the sort of child that makes a great ballerina as they love the discipline of the class. It might focus her mind more. That is why my boys are starting.

Hope this helps!

flamey · 22/03/2007 09:52

DD isn't going.

I don't care if she wants to or not - it never stops at ballet... it goes on to modern, tap, jazz... costumes for shows, exams, medals.

I may be a mean mummy, but she'll have to cope.

ArcticRoll · 22/03/2007 09:53

My ds(almost 6) started ballet at three and a half.
I confess to encouraging her as as I always wanted to do ballet as a child and was denied it!
However after year or so doing the lessons both my daughter and I lost interest.
She found it a bit boring and slow and tbh she was a bit 'inelegant' to be a ballerina. She is quite a tomboy and didn't really suit her. Also I don't think I was cut out to be a 'ballet mom' as can't do neat plaits with headbands!
Dd now does tap which suits her much better-it is much more 'fun' than ballet imo and better suited to more energetic girls.

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Socci · 22/03/2007 09:56

Message withdrawn

friendlyedjit · 22/03/2007 09:57

my two dd's go and love it. No 3 dd is chomping at the bit at 2 and desperate to go at age 2. Stands in hallway on saturday morning practising position 1, as we leave for the long saturday.
Its good exercise for them, great discipline and they've made great friends and so have I.
I don't know how long they'll continue, but don't think that's the point. I don't expect either will end up on the stage, and again that's not the point. They are learning more than dancing.

flamey · 22/03/2007 09:57

For the pretty things issue... Bought DD a tutu off ebay

shouldbedoingsomethingelse · 22/03/2007 09:58

look around
we have 2 types of ballet classes in our area, one is run by a Dance school and does eventulally lead on to exams (after age 6), shows(not compulsory) and proper uniform. The other is run by local sports centre. No exams, no stict uniform and limited shows(just to parents in lesson times)

HTH

BalletMum · 22/03/2007 10:04

It is refreshing to hear of mums that are realistic about their dd. Ballet is naturally selective and not politically correct. You do need to be slim and graceful and TBH you can tell if they are good at it from very young. You would not believe the Mums that come up to me saying how talented their dds are and to be honest they are ten ton tessies and horrendously uncoordinated!!!!!!!!!!!

I am glad I did Ballet as a child. Now that I am a Ballet teacher and was a dancer I have always got to do exactly what I adore doing as a job and get paid for it. How lucky am I? If your dds love Ballet they will still be nagging you in a years time to start.

Mind you I know what you mean about the whole ballet mum thing. A bit clicky in some schools to say the least!

flamey · 22/03/2007 10:08

I get to watch from the outside with Psychomum so see all the ballet school maddness with none of the stress

I do also have a daughter blessed with about as much grace as me... I see her more suited to judo

DumbledoresGirl · 22/03/2007 10:09

BalletMum - it is my dd's ambition to be a ballet teacher like you! (Either that or a vet!) Just out of interest, how good do you have to be to be a ballet teacher (I am assuming naturally that you are a very good one!).

DD has been doing ballet since she was 3. She is 7 next week. I was interested that you said most did it from about 3/4 to 7 as recenly she has started making noises about wanting to stop. However, she finally did a proper exam at the weekend (primary) which seems to have spurred her on to continue. I think, because she has had a succession of ballet teachers (because we kept moving) she was not porgressing enough to keep her interest but the exam taken, she instantly started doing new things and is re-inspired.

Anyway, I would appreciate knowing how far you went in exams etc so i can inspire her further!

boomie · 22/03/2007 10:13

My DD (5) has been doing ballet for nearly 2 years and absolutely loves it. She is a very "girly girl" and loves going to the classes. Agree with Flamey though - it started off with ballet and now she does Freestyle & tap too so it does work out expensive!

She has also recently been in a show and it has done wonders for her confidence. I thought she would be really nervous getting on stage in front of 500 people but she thrived on it.

friendlyedjit · 22/03/2007 10:22

Take on board what you say ballet mum re natural selection, but seems a shame to give impression that ballet is just for the naturally slim and graceful.
Have noticed older girls at dd's ballet school who don't quite fit that picture, who are as involved and get just as much enjoyment and are keeping fit. That has to be a good thing rather than sitting at a playstation or watching tv.
And again how many really go on to have a career in dance or if they do are successful?

puddle · 22/03/2007 10:25

Ballet mum at what age would you say that a teacher can detect whether a child has a talent for ballet or not and what sort of things do they look for? My dd is 4.5 and has been doing it for a year -when I watch the group I can see some are more graceful and coordinated than others but what would the teacher be looking for? Or is it way way too early to judge?

puddle · 22/03/2007 10:36

Friendlyedjit I think it's a real conundrum though isn't it?

My sister spent years doing ballet but was told v bluntly at 13 that she would never be a ballerina because of her body shape ( v v tall and quite ahem hefty). I think some honesty about the 'natural selection'element of ballet earlier on might have saved her a lot of heartache later on - she might have channelled her energies elsewhere.

hana · 22/03/2007 10:41

My daughter started just after she turned 5. She'd been wanting to go for ages before that, but there were conflicts with gymnastics! She loves it, and only started last September. Unfortunately the teacher is leaving at the end of the summer term and is looking for a replacement.
(Puddle - the teacher told me just after christmas that dd was very talented and showed promise......{proud mum ......I"m about as graceful as a tellytubby}

LittleSarah · 22/03/2007 10:43

I went to ballet as a child and then quit, I wish my parents hadn't let me! I then went back as a teenager and am doing classes now.

My dd (3) has just started and loves it. She will continue to do it unless she finds another activity (exercise-based) she loves more and really goes off ballet. If she just being lazy and idle I will encourage her to continue as I regret not doing so.

I agree it could lead onto other things (as a teenager I did ballet, jazz and flamenco) but to me that is no bad thing.

essbeebarmy · 22/03/2007 10:44

Message withdrawn

Enid · 22/03/2007 10:44

dd1 and dd2 (7 and 4) do it

it is a pita - expensive, lots of shows and exams - but they both love it. dd1 isn't very good at it but bless her she works hard, she was going to give up but wants to carry on. dd2 shows some promise actually and really enjoys all the classical music and performing side. Both of them did a show in March, in the evening, to a packed house! They loved it.

puddle · 22/03/2007 10:45

hana - I am mortified to admit that I think my dd stands out from all the other girls as being very good - but I would only ever admit this on MN.

I am really not a pushy ballet mum, honest.

southeastastra · 22/03/2007 10:45

once you learn as a child, you remember as an adult and it's good for posture. i still do some ballet stretching. though i wasn't that good at the time. i'd like to do adult lessons now but i'm probably too old. i'd let her go

Enid · 22/03/2007 10:45

dd1 looks the part - very slim and elegant - but is NOT coordinated

dd2 looks as though she has been dancing all her life - she has a 'ballet expression' a sort of haughty stare, v funny

hana · 22/03/2007 10:48

puddle me too. Don't be mortified!!! It's hard to know where the line is bertween being very proud and bragging. Bu this is being proud
I watched the class for the first time in ages the other day and dd stands out as well. Nothing wrong with thinking that at all!!

Original poster

ekra · 22/03/2007 10:59

Balletmum - tell me more about the conflict between ballet and gymnastics. Is it likely to be a problem?

OP posts:

CODalmighty · 22/03/2007 10:59

newphew does it

paulaplumpbottom · 22/03/2007 11:02

My DD 3.5 loves Ballet. Its the highlight of her week. She ask me everyday if its Wednesday. I think at first for her it was the pretty clothes but now its the dancing.

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