Is your Child Ready to Learn Ballet?
A few years ago my daughter Sylvia started Ballet Lessons. I always wanted to give my daughter the opportunity to do extra curricular activities and so after settling into a new area we signed her up to gymnastics.
Sylvia enjoyed balancing on the beam and jumping over the box but there was a lot going on at home. We had recently moved house, mummy was unwell and my daughter started to cry whenever daddy took her to gymnastics. The class was after school and to be honest, I think the combination of missing mum and being tired from a long day of school meant it was not going to work.
I didn’t want to push Sylvia so she stopped gymnastics after only 5 weeks and stayed home with mummy instead. Ever since I felt guilty and thought of the activities Sylvia could do in the future. She loves music, singing, drama and dance. She is awesome at art and very creative. We had a good talk and decided to enrol her into Swimming and Dance.
We rang the local pools and there was a long waiting list. So we popped Sylvia’s name down and when a place comes available John will take her to improve her swimming skills. I looked around online for local dance schools in the area. I found one which sounded really lovely.
We let Sylvia try out the tap dance and Ballet classes. She went to Ballet and she loved it. Sylvia came home all excited, showing me the moves she had learnt and eager to do her Ballet homework. I was happy that she was happy. She also tried Tap and although she really enjoyed it, she loved the Ballet more and so she began Ballet lessons.
Sylvia was really excited. I could not personally attend Sylvia’s classes due to my health but it was great to see her showing me all the things she had learnt and telling me the names of different ballet positions.
After a year Sylvia decided she no longer wanted to do Ballet. I felt a little sad. I really had hoped it was something she would stick to but if she wasn’t happy attending and didn’t feel excited about it anymore then we were not going to push her or pay out for something she was not enjoying.
I spoke to Sylvia about the different options for other activities and she was keen to try out Swimming instead. in September last year she began her swimming lessons. Sylvia has really improved her swimming skills in a matter of months. She has moved up four levels and absolutely loves Swimming.
I think she has finally found her thing, the activity she enjoys the most. It wasn’t what I’d expected but so long as she is happy I am happy.
Does your child have ballet or swimming lessons?
Angela x
It’s great to hear she’s so passionate about the dance classes I hope she continues to enjoy them, ive done a couple of taster sessions with my girls but its the commitment thats hard for us as i have the three I can never get them into a class together so I always have one or 2 children hanging about bored ad usually causing havoc I am sure it’ll be something that gets better as they get older. Thanks for linking up to #KidsCorner
Yes the commitment is hard especially with different Dance grades etc.That’s probably why we didnt do it as kids..too many of us so we all went swimming every saturday as a family. Angela xx
She does look excited to be learning her ballet. So lovely to see. #KidsCorner
Thanks. This time around my daughter is so so excited which is really good news. She was so excited to try out her new ballet shoes. Angela
My little has her fist lesson tonight. I’mm bummed that I have to work and will miss it
I hope it went well! It’s exciting giving our children opportunities to do things. For me she is doing things I never had a chance to do as a child and that’s exciting for me. Angela x
She does look so chuffed doesn’t she ? it’s great when they find something they enjoy.Hoping my daughter will fancy ballet or gymnastics,my eldest does free-running/parkour which scares the life out of me! X #snotallaboutyou
Yes. I feel happy she is finally happy and doing something on a weekend to not feel so bored and develop her talents. Thanks for popping by. Angela x
She is so lovely, glad she is excited by it all. Thanks for sharing in #KidsCorner x
Thanks Katie. it is something we tried when she was really young but my daughter was not ready. now she is and we are excited! Angela x
My daughter decided she didnt want to do ballet after 2 years of going 🙁 sad I dont get to go to the performances anymore. She looks like a natural dancer keep it up x
Knowing Sylvy she could chnage her mind in the future but we shall see. It’s about the process and having fun and as long as she enjoys it, I’ll try and send her.
Angela x
oh she looks so lovely in her ballet outfit! I never did dancing growing up so I think I’d only pursue that with my children if they ask for it – I usually did sporty things like gymnastics and swimming but it has to be what they want to do #snotallaboutyou
Thanks. I never thought i’d have a girly girl. I was a tom boy and played soccer and rode a bmx bike so this is a little different to me. Thanks for popping by. Angela x
Oh, Sylvia looks so happy! My daughter started ballet at 4 and ballet was a two minute walk from us so it was easy thing to do as well. We didn’t continue for long because she didn’t like the dressing up side of it so much – the hair and the performance after a while. It’s great that kids have such a wide range to choose from and we’ve been able to let our kids try and choose.
Yes, I let Sylvia make choices and she tried some other activities and didn’t like them. I think she has now found what she likes but we will see. Time will tell! Angela x
I really would love to take my daughter to ballet lessons. It’s something we are looking into for her. I think it’s always great for children to get involved in extra activities that they love. My daughter loves dancing and singing and so I thought that this would be the best class for her.
Oh that sounds great. Let me know how it goes! Exciting!