Ballet classes offer plenty of great opportunities for kids of all ages to express themselves, exercise, and make new friends. However, many parents are pleasantly surprised to find that these classes also provide them with a chance to bond with their little ones while helping them strengthen their skills between sessions. If you’re interested in supporting your young dancer’s progress while sharing valuable fun time together, try the following positions together at home.

What Are Some Ballet Positions Kids Can Practice With Parents?

1. Basic Stretches

Every ballet class begins with a session of stretching to warm and limber up the muscles and joints and prepare them for vigorous activity. Practicing simple stretches with your child is a good way to help them stay flexible and maintain proper form. Go through a few basic stretches like leg extensions, toe touches, and splits together between classes to help them retain their progress.

2. The Gateway

Typically, ballet dancers are expected to keep their arms in any of a number of basic positions when they’re not in use, the most common of which is the gateway. This position may look simple, but maintaining it correctly is often one of a beginning ballet dancer’s greatest challenges.

To achieve it, the arms should be held out in a rounded position in front of the body, with the elbows set slightly below the shoulders, the hands cupped slightly and held apart, and the palms facing you. Your child’s ballet teacher can show you the proper form for this position, after which you can practice it at home or elsewhere.

3. The Five Positions of the Feet

In the first of these fundamental ballet positions, the feet are held outward with the heels facing each other. The second position is similar, with the feet held shoulder-width apart. In the third, the heel of one foot is placed next to and in front of the other set behind it. 

Moving the leading foot forward while keeping it horizontally positioned achieves the fourth position. Finally, the fifth is often the most challenging for new dancers, as the heel of the forward foot is moved against the large toe joint of the rear foot.

If you’re looking for ways to help your active little one express themselves and put their extra energy to good use, enroll them in ballet classes with Rhythm Dance Center Inc. Since 1993, this Marietta, GA, dance studio has offered classes in a wide variety of dance styles for kids of all ages and abilities in Metro Atlanta and the East Cobb community, each led by a professional and highly experienced instructor. Visit their website to learn more about their class schedules and call (770) 998-6507 to sign your child up today.