What type of dance should I enrol my 5 yr old in?

Question

She wants dancing lessons, but is unsure of what type. She loves princesses but also tries to "break dance".
Her only request is that it has to be "beautiful".
THanks.

Answer 1

The important thing to remember is that, at 5, her bones are still soft. So if she does go to dancing or gymnastics, you must be very sure that her teacher is well-trained and understands what she is doing.

In professional ballet schools like the Bolshoi in Russia or the Royal Ballet in England, they won't let children start training till the age of 8 to 10, as a child's spine and pelvic bones can actually deform if they try to do full ballet moves (like turnout) at an earlier age. So it's important that her early lessons are just for play!

Beautiful = ballet, for sure. But the idea of sending her to a school with a variety of styles, and letting her try a few and see what she likes, is a good one.

Answer 2

Well if it has to be "beautiful" then I'd start her with ballet. She'll learn discipline, poise and some French vocabulary along with how to dance. And of course little girls always feel like a princess when they go to ballet class!

I know in my area, at the age of 5 you might also be able to find some other styles like tap, jazz or hip hop that she can take. You might even be able to find a "combo class" where they combine ballet, tap and jazz or even tumbling. You aren't likely to find a modern dance class for this age. She needs the basics of ballet under her belt before she can take modern dance.

Answer 3

I think there are a lot of dance schools and/or theatre schools out there now that offer a mix of ballet, tap, jazz and modern. Do your research and maybe you'll find something where she can do them all and explore which one she likes best. Then you two can decide together which one to focus on. Also, many dance schools have recitals where the kids get to dress up in pretty costumes so she'll look beautiful doing them all! Good luck!

Answer 4

You should try to find a dance place that has 2 types of dancing in one lesson so she can see which one she likes better and enroll her in the one she likes better.

Answer 5

If her only request is that the dance be beautiful, why not enroll her in ballet or modern dance.

Answer 6

i would try a rotation. at 5 years old it will be hard for her to stick with something and it's "recommended" they only have lessons for a few weeks at a time.
i don't know, i just read that in one of my parenting magazines.

so, i would try a few weeks of each, ballet, then maybe jazz or tap. this way she can do the "princess" thing and also, the breakdance kind of thing.

have fun!!!!

Answer 7

I kinda doubt a 5yr old will always want to break dance. Try enrolling her in Ballet/Tap.

If she already like hip-hop stuff, then try contemporary ballet.

Answer 8

Jazz. Jazz combines the basic elements of ballet, with the upbeat-ness of hip hop.

Jazz dance is very beautiful too!

Answer 9

Ballet

Answer 10

There are all sorts of types out there. Have her sit in on a few classes and see which one she likes best. There's ballet, tap, jazz, and many more. Just show her a few types and go from there..