| For many little girls, pointe ballet is something they | | | | time to achieve the form, strength, and alignment |
| look forward to. They watch the older girls and | | | | needed to make the successful transition to |
| dream that, one day, they will dance just like | | | | pointe. Getting them started at an early age in a |
| them. If your child is tugging at you to get | | | | dance program is a great idea; even as early as |
| started with pointe ballet, there are a few things | | | | age 3 or 4. This will give them plenty of time to |
| to consider first. | | | | develop dance skills. Once they start to show |
| Are My Bones and Muscles Ready? | | | | interest in pointe, it is recommended they enroll in |
| It really goes without saying, but a child's body is | | | | a class that gets them training at least 3 days per |
| continually changing and growing. Getting involved | | | | week in ballet. |
| in pointe is something that does have some | | | | Only Serious Dancers Need Apply |
| developmental restrictions you must heed. Their | | | | Watching the little ones in dance class is |
| little feet, still growing, can sustain permanent | | | | sometimes more entertaining for the parents. |
| damage, if they start too early. It is | | | | They jump around, most of the time out of sync, |
| recommended that your little one be at least 9 or | | | | just having fun. With pointe, it is about enjoying |
| 10 before starting pointe ballet. The final word | | | | the art, but requires a maturity level and |
| should come from their dance teacher as some | | | | responsibility much greater than "just having fun". |
| instructors prefer they are a little older, even as | | | | There are many complicated and physically |
| old as 11 or 12. | | | | demanding moments with pointe ballet, and that |
| Slow and Steady Wins The Race | | | | does not include the sore feet and blisters they |
| Hopefully if they are interested in pointe ballet, | | | | will suffer. They have to be devoted with a huge |
| they have already established themselves in a | | | | focus on dance classes and the endurance to |
| dance program. It is next to impossible to expect | | | | stick with it. |
| to start with pointe, as they need to have had | | | | |