Starting pointe age 10 thoughts?

[dancertaxi]

DD is grade 4 ballet, just 10, dances 9hrs a week, has been asked to join pointe class - so building strength etc but teacher says will be 6-8 weeks before need pointe shoes, in your opinion, is this too young?

[invisiblecircus]

Do you mean she has just turned 10 or is she closer to 11? How long has she been dancing? Is the 9 hours a week all ballet or also other styles?

She is on the Young side and I don't see the rush to start pointe but it does seem as if her teacher is proceeding carefully.

[dancertaxi]

Hi invisiblecircus, dd has just turned 10, she does 4 hrs ballet a week and 5 hours tap,modern,flexibility, conditioning, we are of the same mind in terms of no rush to get those pointe shoes! 

[Farawaydancer]

Dd is about to turn 10 and has just got demipointes and joins in the pointe class using them. It'll be a little while til she has pointes but there are so many factors affecting readiness that it's impossible to give a definitive age surely? The range and differences in the physical attributes of girls at age 10 is huge and I would be guided by her teacher. 

[Guest]

This topic comes up every six months or so. I hope that the link below works or try searching on 'pointe' and 'pointe shoes' as there are lots of great threads.

 

 

Bestage for first pair ofpointe shoes

 

 

[taxi4ballet]

Age 10? Doing the pointe prep classes in flat shoes and later on in demi-pointes yes, but actual pointe? Not a good idea, sorry 

[Pointetoes]

45 minutes ago, taxi4ballet said:

Age 10? Doing the pointe prep classes in flat shoes and later on in demi-pointes yes, but actual pointe? Not a good idea, sorry 

I agree with taxi4ballet. 

i know they all get excited and it's what they dream of but too early can cause so many problems and can ultimately put them off completely. 

[balletbean]

From my experience (2 DD's) 10 is rather on the young side, it's not just based on their ballet technique but you have to consider the growth and development of the feet, calcification of the foot  bones, cartilage, tendons etc

 

Also 6 weeks seems very short period of time in prep classes. My DD's started once they were in RAD Grade 4 in prep for RAD IF but it took at least 6 months prep classes before they were assessed individually for Pointes. I'm not sure it was correct to 'dangle the carrot' in front of your DD by giving her the time scale of 6 weeks before she even starts. Buying your first Pointes is so exciting for the young dancer that they just don't see the bigger picture and possibly not allowed to buy them in the magical 6 weeks might be too hard to understand. 

[Picturesinthefirelight]

I couldn't agree more with taxi4ballet, pointetoes & balletbean.

 

There is nothing wrong with her joining a pointe prep class but 6-8 weeks is a ridiculously short amount of time.  6 months is more usual, 12 months for younger students.

 

It really isn't about talent, technique, etc, its about growth & development.

 

 

[dancertaxi]

Thanks All, Dd is in no rush neither am I. I wonder whether the teacher made a mistake and meant 6-8 months rather than weeks??

Anyway we will certainly be delaying until nearer 11. Just wanted to check I m not being a crazy over protective parent in delaying 

[taxi4ballet]

No, you're not delaying at all - most won't start for another couple of years.

[Nicola H]

Technique is not necessarily an issue at the age in question (i.e. technique otherwise, strength , stamina may be there) it's the bone age / maturity of the structures of the foot that are at risk and that's why  you will tend to find people suggesting 11, 12 or even later  to protect the foot from damage esp unsupervised use and excessive centre work en pointe.

[MrsMoo2]

I was encouraged to go en pointe way too young some 30 years ago, and as a result damaged the bones in my feet. Ultimately it's down to body maturity but I think 10 is a bit young. Have fun with dance, pointe can come later...xx