Dance teachers should be aware of the potential dangers of encouraging young ballerinas to go en pointe at too early an age. Contrary to the views of some, starting earlier does not necessarily signal a better future. The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) recommends that students should not be dancing en pointe before the age of 11, and that the ages of 12 and 13 are likely to be more appropriate. RAD also advise that young dancers should have a minimum of four years of good training, and have matured sufficiently both physically and mentally, before they are encouraged to move onto the next stage.
A range of factors must be considered by parents and teachers when deciding when a child is ready to progress. These include:
- the age of the child;
- their body weight;
- the state of the child's bone development;
- the overall strength of the child's body;
- the period of dance training they have undertaken;
- and the overall attitude of the student.
Dance teachers should endeavour to explain these factors to students as early as possible in their training to avoid disappointment and unproductive rivalry among peers.
