How do I know when my son is ready to start ballet leasons?

Question:My son really loves dancing around to music and I've asked him if he wants to take lessons. He says yes, but as he is a new three-year-old I don't think he knows exactly what "lessons" are. Earlier this evening we stopped by the gym for me to pick up some information on the class and a class was going on. He watched a little bit of the class and really wanted to join in.

A new 3 to 5-year-old's class is starting soon, but I'm not sure if he's ready. He'd probably be the youngest, not to mention the only boy. He can follow simple directions like, "stand up" or "sit on your chair" but I don't think that he'd understand complex directions like, "everyone line up in a single-file line". What sort of directions would he get and need to be able to follow? He's developmentally average for his age.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: My son really loves dancing around to music and I've asked him if he wants to take lessons. He says yes, but as he is a new three-year-old I don't think he knows exactly what "lessons" are. Earlier this evening we stopped by the gym for me to pick up some information on the class and a class was going on. He watched a little bit of the class and really wanted to join in.

A new 3 to 5-year-old's class is starting soon, but I'm not sure if he's ready. He'd probably be the youngest, not to mention the only boy. He can follow simple directions like, "stand up" or "sit on your chair" but I don't think that he'd understand complex directions like, "everyone line up in a single-file line". What sort of directions would he get and need to be able to follow? He's developmentally average for his age.

The fact that he wants to join in shows that he's ready to try a class. Most dance studios allow students to try a class for free. See if you can arrange that and then talk to the teacher and your son afterwards and see what both of them think. If this studio doesn't allow a free trial, ask whether they offer refunds if you're forced to pay for the entire set of classes up front. That way, you can still let your son know that you're interested in what HE thinks of the class.

If your son wants to keep going, then hold him to his commitment for the full run of that class, even though he's just 3. Everything about this experience can be a delightful learning opportunity - precisely for things like learning to follow directions, to count, recognize music, developing motor skills, working in a group and sticking with a commitment.

Kudos to you for spotting one of your child's interests and following his lead. I started my daughter in ballet at the same age for the same reason as you: she was always dancing around the house. She is now a senior dance major in college who has already started auditioning for dance jobs. Throughout her years of dance training, there was always at least one boy in her classes, even starting at 3 years old. And those boys have all turned out fine without becoming emasculated or being bullied for taking dance classes.

Check out "Ballet Talk for Dancers" for tons more information. They have an entire subforum for Parents of Boys.
http://dancers.invisionzone.com/index.ph...

I'd wait until he is ready to follow directions better. Meanwhile, are there any informal "move to the music" type classes for preschoolers in your area? That might be better for a three year old. As he gets older he'll gravitate toward the type of dance he prefers.

why don't you let him be a boy for a little while longer before immasculating him and making him the center of all bullies attentions. I'm not knocking ballet, and I'm not knocking ballet for boys, I'm knocking ballet for boys that don't have the full knowledge and say-so for participation in said ballet. Wait until he's in 1st or 2nd grade and see what he wants to do. Then, if he still wants to learn ballet, then go for it!! He'll have conviction, and be more apt to understand the name calling and ridicule that he WILL receive from the other kids. Kids are horrible to each other when they want to be, and if they have ammo, they're ruthless!! Until then, just let him be a boy. Kids go through phases faster than you change clothes. He'll probably be into something completely different by then, anyway.

Well i think you should let him join so that he can ask what the things he dont know and they will tell him so that he can be prepared. Everyone else that puts there kids in there, there kids probably know as much as your son. If he is really wanting to do this i think that you should let him see if he likes it and you can always take him out. I hope this helps.
Thanks,
Sam

I applaud you. The other answers are sexist. Ballet is a beautiful
sport. I takes a lot of muscle to lift the women over their heads. It
also helps them learn to follow directions and develop motor skills. I think he could do it. My brother was three when he started ballet. Please do not let anyone of these people change your minds about him taking a ballet class. And taking ballet does not mean you are gay. My ballet teacher is a man and he is not gay. (Not that there is any problem with being gay)

If he is average, then three is a perfectly acceptable age to start dancing. They wont be given uber complex directions or anything, it is mostly just "play" dancing at such a young age and they're just there to have fun not so much learn the hard skills that go with it. Honestly, if he can simply respond to things like "come here" and very simple commands like that he should be fine. Sign him up!! =]

I would recommend that you might wait until he's potty-trained if he's not already. By then he should be able to have a basic understanding of words and it will take loads off the teacher (and the class) if he's potty-trained. Also, from teaching/little sister experience I know with the younger classes they try to trigger the right side of the brain (creative side) and they incorprate that in their directions.

i would ask the teacher if he could maybe try out the class before you sign him up. Most studios allow you to do that.

we have 2 year olds at my studio. some cant get in a line, and we ahve to help them. but if he wants to, i would say give it a shot. if he turs out not to be ready, then there is always next year!

does he have the full understanding of it? if he does then let him take lessons. i personally think you should let him experience boy activities until you decide to put him in dance lessons,

as long as he's potty trained id start him now. Espically because he is a boy, you want to start him earlier because if you start him to late, he can loose intrest because he KNOWs that not many boys are taking dance. at his age he wont be given many directions like stand in a single file line. I student teach young children around the ages 3-5 and in class, we place them and help them. The very young kids just get more assistance when learning the steps. They all learn it after a while though. I started off at age 2 and half and i was able to do everything very well. Trust me, you'll be better off starting him now! (p.s.) the teachers will love that theres a male dancing! and he will probably get lots of attention!

Most studios deal with this everyday especially ones that teach younger kids. The teacher should have no problem helping him understand what to do. I think it is great that you are starting him in dance! And unlike some people said on here it will not make him be made fun of. I know some guys at my studio that don't tell their friends that they dance only there closest friends. I mean he is three kids at that age don't understand those things anyway. Let him try if he likes it then thats great and if he doesn't at least you tried. I would try to find a studio that has more boys though even if they aren't in his class it would give him someone to look up to.

When he comes home with hot pink pants on and a rainbow t-shirt.