Pointes and Perspective #7 A Class Act!

Let's get right into today's discussion,

“A Class Act”

Classical Training for Preschool Students

Where I will share some thoughts on the importance of introducing Classical Training for our youngest students!
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Children are never too young for Classical Ballet training. No, I don’t mean that we should have them in 5th position, executing intricate combinations of petit battement sur la cou de pied, and developpes over 90 degrees! But it is when our students are young, that we can inspire, encourage, and begin their Classical Ballet education.
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First and foremost, we are inspiring young humans and training their affections. Encourage children to enjoy something that is truly lovely, and beautiful from the youngest of ages. Teach Appreciation of the Art.
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Introduce Classical music. Classical music is not too elevated for preschoolers. Music Educator, Kristi Hill, states it beautifully, “Somehow we have bought into the lie that children only respond to juvenile, tinny, sing-song music. Not true. You just have to place the good stuff before them. And you don’t have to act like the other stuff is bad. I believe in all music — there is nothing wrong with “Wheels on the Bus”, but don’t let that be all they are exposed to. Offer music up like a buffet. Play Bach. Play the Bus.”
Passion for Classical music will come. Besides, listening to Classical music is proven to reduce blood pressure, increase creativity, boost memory, suppress stress levels, boost brainpower, relieve depression, improve productivity, and raise your mood! So play it! For you and your students!
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Show Classical movements full out! All too often, I see Dance teachers showing movements to their Preschool students with honestly, horrible form! It’s as if they come down to the student's level, for reasons I do not know! Students will do what they see! Modeling is all powerful! It doesn’t matter how simple the step is, show it with proper technique and artistry. Get on your high ¾ pointe in those Bourres. Balance and turn out those Pique Passes. Present that sculpted Port de bras and aristocratic Epaulement!
Students observe, imitate, and eventually master what YOU show them!
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Use Classic vocabulary! Trust me, I am the biggest fan of using visualization in All my Ballet classes, but use it alongside the proper Classic terminology! For example, “Up on the Elevator”, Eleve, To elevate or rise, Eleve! Don’t underestimate your Preschool students! It will sink in!
As I mentioned in Pointes and Perspective #3 Be The Broken Record, Repetition, Repetition, Repetition! All the repetition enables them to learn and retain a lot of information over time. Including the Classic French Ballet terminology. My Preschool students get a kick out of it when, four weeks into class, I say, “Do you realize we are speaking french? Have you told your parents that you speak French? Wait till they hear you saying Plie, Eleve, Chasse, and they look at you in shock, asking where you learned to speak French!”
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Introduce Ballet History! Don’t Underestimate the Power of Storytelling and Imagination. Introduce your students to the Courts of Italy, where the Kings and Queens enjoyed lavish celebrations of dance, and King Louis XIV’s Ballet Academy in France. My students can’t get enough of these “stories” of Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses! AND an added benefit of these stories, is explaining how aristocratic and “snooty” these characters were - Voila! You have introduced your students to Ballet Epaulement and presence!
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Introduce Classic Ballet Etiquette! Just as the students get a total kick out of being “snooty”, with their new found Epaulement and presence, they will grasp etiquette as well! Explain basics such as, wearing your proper class apparel, wearing your hair back neatly a bun, “zipping lips”, not hanging on barres. And eventually, how to watch respectfully, or enter the room and stretch in their spot while they wait for everyone to enter. This is where Modeling can come in again, but this time, let your Preschool students get a peek at your older students in the classroom. Inspire them to enter a room, or watch their friends and wait turns, “like the big students do!”
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Lastly, offering a Classical Ballet Program will identify your school as having a reputable program! Parents will choose a dance school that offers a Classic curriculum - like Baa Baa Ballet Preschool Dance Curriculum! Even at the Preschool levels - A program their child can “grow up with”! Parent’s will be more apt to select a school that can support all stages of development, whether their child ends up dancing professionally, recreationally, for health, fitness and development - or simply to appreciate the art. Their pre-school age child may not be ready for Classical ballet lessons yet, but they are ready for early childhood movement classes that will set the stage for Classical ballet lessons later.

So offer Classical training at your dance school. You’ll be “A Class Act!”