Ballet moms

[BuzznBelle'smom]

My DD was 14 when she started en pointe. She was late to mature, physically, and also didn't want to concentrate solely on ballet--not that you have to, but our studio requires a higher level of dedication than she was willing to put in until she hit 13.

The one red flag from your comments, OP, is you saying that the teacher wants to "keep the group together". My experience, and it seems to be reflected in other posts here, is that pointe is very much a decision based on the individual dancer. Some girls can handle it at 10 or so, others can't. I'm truly surprised that all the other dancers in her class would be advancing at the exact same time. Even in class now, DD says that not everyone is told to put on their pointe shoes at the same exact moment--it's totally up to the teacher, and what he's seeing or doing on that day. So, I would be a little concerned about pointe for your DD, just based on the group aspect.

I also think the evaluation by an orthopedist sounds very wise. We didn't see one specifically for ballet for DD, but she had some issues for cross country, so we did have her evaluated, and discussed her dancing as part of that. The doctor may give you some insights on why your DD may (or may not) be ready and do well.

 

[mdsoccermom]

My daughter is no where near pointe work yet. She is almost 5 and started when she was almost 3. When we were school shopping we found a great instructor who is ABT. Her rules for pointe are doctors exam, several core skills that indicate strong back, thighs, and calve muscles, normal weight for age, no earlier than 12, successful completion of pre pointe classes, and a high arch on her in step.
That last one was what sold us. She said the most talented, dedicated ballerina cannot overcome genetics in the end. Without the arch she won't put a child en pointe.
That isn't to say that other studios are wrong or the one we go to is any better. It just gave us peace of mind to know our daughter wouldn't end up feeling pressured to engage in activity that could damage her.

I can't get my phone too go back. Calve =calf.

I was 12 when I started.

I am very interested in what you say about a high arch. It's something I've never given thought to with regard to pointe. I have an overdeveloped arch which has always felt very natural to me. At the time, way back in the day, there were only 2 types of pointe shoes I could wear because of that.

 

[DebD4T]

The one red flag from your comments, OP, is you saying that the teacher wants to "keep the group together". My experience, and it seems to be reflected in other posts here, is that pointe is very much a decision based on the individual dancer. Some girls can handle it at 10 or so, others can't. I'm truly surprised that all the other dancers in her class would be advancing at the exact same time. Even in class now, DD says that not everyone is told to put on their pointe shoes at the same exact moment--it's totally up to the teacher, and what he's seeing or doing on that day. So, I would be a little concerned about pointe for your DD, just based on the group aspect.

This.

 

[robinb]

It´s pretty much a question of going en pointe or not dancing at all anymore. That is, if she doesn´t follow her group she will probably need to attend another (not as good ballet school) with girls she doesn´t know. She´s been at this school since she was 3.

Well, that stinks . Ten years old seems to be too young to me. My DD is 11 and none of the other kids her age are on pointe. Her school says that they might start some kind of pre-pointe classes next year for some of the kids in her class, although I admit I have no idea what that means .

Have you talked to the parents of some of the other girls in the class? Maybe you can get a few kids to go with your DD to the other school for a couple of years until they are physically and mentally ready for pointe.

 

[Karibeth19]

My DD quit Ballet a few years ago, so it was never an issue for me, but I myself went en pointe at age 10. I had very strong feet, and ridiculously high and strong arches (I went through pointe shoes like crazy!), so I never saw any problems as a result of starting so early. It really just depends on the girl's own strength and development. I do agree that strong arches are important, though. I remember so many girls in my class that didn't have them, and it always looked like they were standing on the very back edge of the platform, with absolutely no curve in the sole of the shoe. They always looked like they were leaning backwards when they were on their toes! I never understood how they could even stand en pointe that way, much less dance, and I wonder what effect it had on them physically.

 

[scrapquitler]

At my DDs dance studio, they do not allow anyone to start pointe until at least 12/13 years old. The director and the ballet teacher evaluate the student and look at her feet, then decide who may do pointe. First year students of pointe are in only a 30 minute class, and they just do intro work. The second year they actually perform and have a full 50 minute class. They do vaganova style, if that makes a difference.

My DD is 14 and was never really interested in doing pointe (ballet is her least favorite of all the classes she takes). Even if she had been reccomended for pointe, I would not have allowed her to do it because she already has problems with her ankles and she is flat-footed, which I hear makes it harder on your feet.