A Guide to Ballet for Mums Who are Clueless

If you are considering signing up your children for ballet dance classes or have already done so, yet you are clueless as to what attire and shoes your child should wear, don’t worry.  This post will provide you with some tips to better prepare your child for her ballet classes.

Dressing

Attire for boys and girls differ. Boys would usually wear a black or white  leotard, leggings and soft ballet shoes. Girls would usually wear a pink leotard, along with tights, leggingsand ballet shoes. All in all, it really depends on the dress code given by the school. At Young Dancers Academy, our teachers will assist you in getting the appropriate shoes and attire for classes should any doubt arise.

Leotards        

Do remember to check with the studio as to what the appropriate leotard is as there are different leotards for different grades.

Ballet slippers

The material of ballet slippers are usually full-sole leather shoes which are robust yet comfortable for children to wear.

Children should also learn to store their ballet shoes in a cloth bag to allow for ventilation. Additionally, ballet shoes should not be worn outside the dance studio as the rough surfaces outside the dance studio can spoil the soles of the ballet shoes.

Tights

Tights should be worn below the leotard. Make sure that your child has tried a few of them before buying one that is comfortable for him or her.

For boys, leggings should be worn. This is usually black in colour.

Hair

Ballet students should keep their hair neat and tidy. For girls who have long hair, they should tie it in a bun and pull their hair back neatly such that their faces are clear of any stray hair.

Extras

Many parents might buy extra clothing that are unnecessary with hopes of being prepared for classes.

Firstly, pointe shoes are not necessary for children who are new to ballet. These are only needed for more advanced classes and definitely not for young children below the age of eight. Students are usually told to get one after being assessed and have gone through a few years of ballet training.

Secondly, a tutu is not necessary as well. Although it seems common to wear a tutu, this is only worn during performances on stage. It may in fact serve as an obstruction for the teacher looking to correct any mistakes made by a student.  For younger kids, a chiffon ballet skirt would suffice while older ballet students do not require a skirt at all.

In conclusion, Young Dancers Academy is able to assist you through the many considerations and queries you have pertaining to finding the right ballet classes for kids.