When is the best age for a child to begin ballet?

Question: When is the best age for a child to begin ballet!?
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I teach ballet to 3 - 5 year olds (two separate classes)!. Most of my moms are stay at home (although dads will come too) and they bring their child to get some interaction with other children and (for the 5 years) know how to act in a classroom setting!.

At that age they can't do anything well, but they know the basics!. They know what a plie, tendu, arabesque, passe, coupe, grand jete and chaine turns are!. They look hilarious doing it, but class would never continue if I had to correct their placement!.

I think at that age it's mostly about seeing how cute your child is, but it really does help with gross motor skill development!.

Serious ballet training should start about 7 - 8, and if the child really enjoys and wants to do it!. I know there's a famous ballerina somewhere around that started at age 12, and became a principal dancer in a top notch company!. But there are smaller companies- university companies, state companies, city companies (Los Angeles has two!) and of course, dance conservatory companies!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

If you want a child to become a professional, then they better start stretching and exercises as soon as possible!. Many famous dancers started at age 4 or so, but not all ballerinas have to be famous!. If they are just taking it for fun, then maybe try 5 or 6!. If the child is past this age group, then start them as soon as you can or as soon as they want to!. People can start ballet at anytime and make it up to the top!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

To be honest, I started when i was eleven and I am still an average ballet dancer!. There is no best or worst age!. when you start young, you will have more experience if you choose to stick with it!. but if you start later, you ma learn faster and have an advantage over kids who may have started younger!.
*For example, a girl who starts ballet @ 3 will not be able to learn how to do splits or sute nues( i probably spelt that wrong) as fast and as accurately as a girls who starts @ 9 or 10!.
Studies have proved this theory as well!.

If you do decide to take ballet, good for you!. I wish you the best luck!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Well, it depends on whether or not they really like it!. If they're interested in it, they'll have fun with it even if they aren't old enough to really learn anything!. It's good not to wait too long though, because then they end up in a class of little kids and feeling awkward!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes, it depends on when the child wants to do it, but my friends are dancers and started taking small classes when they were about 4 and started taking it more seriously when their parents put them in full time classes at 6!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

they can actully start pretty early if they go to like a begining ballet class!. At my studio there are like 4 year old dancers, so there u have it!Www@QuestionHome@Com

When they are interested in it!. IMO starting kids any younger than about 6-7 is useless!.Www@QuestionHome@Com