michelle52 Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Hi Im new here. just wanted to know if any other parents out there have a child who will not practice at home?? My daughter is nearly 7 and does lots of dance and singing including competitions, but she wont practice. she always seems to do ok though so am trying not to worry about it. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy days Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Mine would hardly ever practice at home and always did ok in exams. I think they thought that they did enough in class. Also depends on how much your child wants good marks in exams or to win in comps. Some childrens seem to know at a young age that they want dance to play a very important part in their life, others see it more as fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishballetmom Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 At 7 my daughter didn't practice at home but still got distinction... She decided to be more serious and does practice before exams now and do some stretches etc for only a few minutes most days but I don't think they recommend the DC practicing things too much at home in case they are doing things wrong and repeat bad habits they have to correct again at class.... I definitely wouldn't worry about it at 7 though, then and now my daughter dances down grocery aisles, across room to get a book, put away dishes etc, that is her main form of at home dance lol! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circe Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 If you think it would be good for her to continue with dance in the long term then I wouldn't push the practice, just let her find her own way with it. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annaliesey Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Hi Michelle52 Has your dd's teacher said to her about practising? It might be better coming from them than you. My dd used to practise so much around the house for everything. Until she got her iPad at xmas and now she's obsessed with Instagram!! I think they have got to want to do it for themselves though. My dd has just got her last ballet exam results and was 2 marks away from a distinction. She knows it's because she didn't practise as much as she should have and it's been a bit of a kick up the bottom for her as her last 5 exams have all been distinctions. I think all you can do is explain choices and encourage her but they learn for themselves espevially with comps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Autumn days Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 (edited) Home practice for young dancers is generally discouraged by good teachers because it can led to bad habits or injury. A youngster is not able to know if they are doing it right or not. Edited for typo Edited April 30, 2015 by mum in a spin 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 I agree. Seven is very young. Although my dd took several dance classes a week at 7, she also still did Brownies, swimming lessons, had friends round for tea etc. If I remember rightly the only thing I used to insist on was piano practice at that age. Not only would her teacher not have allowed or recommended practice at home at that age - for the reason muminaspin gives - I wanted her to have time for just playing, reading etc. Plenty of time for practicing dance at home when they are old enough not to get into bad habits and if and when they take Vocational exams. :-) 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CeliB Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 (edited) My DS didn't start seriously doing extra stretching (or in fact anything at all other than laze around) in the holidays until he was around 16!!! I used to despair. Now he seems to have an unbelievable work ethic and is not only spending extra time in the studio and gym but also reading ballet books and biographies voraciously. I think they find their own way. I know there's a balance to be had (if you are paying for an activity you want them to get the best out of it) but at 7 I would err on the side of tolerance.... Edited April 30, 2015 by CeliB 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dramascientist Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 My DD never practices at home even now. Pilates, stretching, choreography yes but She has never done "ballet class" at home and I agree with the reasons above in terms of bad habits, injuries etc. She is 16 and has been at vocational ballet school since she was 11 but at home wanted to be a kid even though , as she would say, " ballet is her life!" I really don't think you need worry. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelle52 Posted April 30, 2015 Author Share Posted April 30, 2015 Thank you everyone, its reasuring to know yours isnt the only one! She does seem to do very well regardless. I definately agree that she is a child who has to do it off her own back or Im just nagging mum I will try to just let it go and one day she may surprise me (like they often do) x 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahw Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 I agree that if she becomes serious about any hobby she will start to practice when she is mature enough to realise the benefits and 7 is probably a bit young. I definitely wouldn't stress yourself about it. The bottom line is that it is a hobby for most of them...... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alison Posted April 30, 2015 Share Posted April 30, 2015 Welcome to the forum, Michelle 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waitingmum Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 My dd never practiced at that age either but now can't ever stop dancing and is off to White Lodge this September. I always think they have to want to do it, you can't make them. Ultimately it should be about having fun!! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna C Posted May 1, 2015 Share Posted May 1, 2015 Welcome from me too, Michelle. I hope you don't mind but I have edited the thread title to make the subject slightly clearer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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