Should your little girl do ballet?

If your daughter loves dancing, enrolling her in ballet classes is a great way to help her develop and grow her passion. However, there are a few things parents should keep in mind.

Did you know that research has confirmed that dance, and in particular, ballet, is one of the most demanding physical activities undertaken by young people? Ballet, just like many other sports, can cause injuries later on in your child’s life if not done correctly, including ingrown toenails, tendinosis, stress fractures, ankle sprains, ankle impingement, or low back pain.

We discuss the pros and cons of ballet classes for small children and what parents need to know before they enrol their daughters…

Freelance writer and science communicator Helen Malherbe started ballet classes when she was just under three years old, and continued until she was 18 years of age. “In my teenage years, I was dancing 4-5 days a week,” said Helen.

“Today, although I have a certain grace, posture and am still very flexible, I also have terrible feet, rheumatism, sore knees, back problems, and a vast list of other ailments as a result. Sure, it may have been caused by a combination of bad training, possible weaknesses in my physique, and a lack of knowledge on the part of my parents. But surely this can’t be what all little girls of today should expect in 20 years’ time – especially if they don’t pursue ballet dancing as a career?”

Pursuing their ballet dream

How can we as parents, help guide and protect our daughters so that their developing bodies are not damaged for life? Here are a few tips:

• Children should not start formal ballet training before the age of eight. Before this age, their bones are too soft for the physical demands involved.
• Pre-ballet ‘fun’ classes are popular with younger children and involve a lot of creative movement rather than formal ballet techniques. The syllabus used has changed radically in recent years after research showed the potential damage caused in the very young.
• Pointe work for girls should start at around the age of 12 when the toes and ankles are strong enough.
• Sit in on a class or two with your child. You need to ensure your child is happy and comfortable in the class and with the teacher. It may be overkill for a three-year-old, but for older girls especially and the importance of body image as they grow, it can become all too easy for an eating disorder to develop.
• While a classroom is probably fine for the little ones when the formal training begins it becomes more important for flexible wooden flooring rather than tiles. The benefits of mirrors and a proper barre also kick in.
• If your child is very flexible it is vital that they don’t overstretch and that they develop adequate strength to support them, as this could cause major problems later on.
• Stay involved and interested. If your child enjoys it, encourage them and support them to the best of your ability, without becoming overly pushy!