Beginner Pointe: A great experience for dancers who are well prepared for it.
Pointe is not for everyone. It is studying a special area of dance, a unique opportunity open to those who have applied correction, worked hard, have the strength, placement, ability and focus.
Beginners on pointe (en pointe) can struggle for various reasons - their change in balance, feet that aren't strong enough, incorrect posture, lack of training, not having the type of foot that withstands pointe well (have you noticed feet and toes come in different shapes?), or the wrong shoes, but a big reason for struggling is that they're just not ready.
Perhaps there are as many reasons for teachers putting students on pointe, as there are for students who struggle. Maybe it's getting a student into another class, wanting to round out the pointe class, have a large group photo for the class or the profit made from pointe shoes in their dance store, but it's often the prestige that comes with being a pointe student and the pressure teachers receive when some students are chosen and not others, that makes this decision. The resentment of not being placed on pointe can cause students to leave a school looking for a less scrupulous instructor who is willing to put the student into the class they desire.
Some students that are placed "en pointe" at one school leave for one reason or another, arrive at their next school only to hear that they will not be allowed to study pointe there. This may be they first time they're hearing they don't have the right placement, skill level, position of the feet or that they're simply too young.
It's true that most dancers can put on a pair of pointe shoes and stand up in them, but if they aren't ready, they may struggle for years tottering around with bent knees and poor posture. Why would you want your child to be uncomfortable, risk damaging their feet, looking strained and unbalanced? We've seen our share of students struggle when they are ready, why put them through that when they're not?
Dancers need time, patience, and a teacher who goes the extra distance to make sure shoes are fitted correctly - not just sending the dancer off to a random dance store to buy shoes. Did you know that pointe shoes come in as many styles, shapes and colors as feet do?
Some dancers have narrow feet, others wide. They may have all short toes, two long ones, or one long big toe. They may have strong or delicate feet. Maybe they may have a small heel or flat arch. All these things factor into which pointe shoe should be chosen. Even their work ethic plays into shoes choices. Some dancers work hard and wear right through their shoes, making the choice between a hard and soft shoe another factor. With all this in mind, and the fact that although nice, many dance stores mis-size dancers, why would you want to rush into pointe without having all the facts and tools your dancer needs for success?
When a pre-pointe group or an individual dancer are finally prepared to be on pointe, the instructor goes with them to their first pointe shoe fitting, at an excellent, well-trained dance store with a wide variety of shoe sizes, styles and brands so the dancer will get the best fit possible.
Dancing on pointe is not the "next level in dance" that some think it is and it should not be undertaken lightly. It's a special study in dance, separate from ballet class. It's also a celebration, a right of passage, and with this decision, a dancer makes a commitment to devote themselves to hard work and applying correction in studying this new dance form.
There's another thing. Parents must be prepared - to pay! One pair of pointe shoes can range from $55 to $110 and up! Parents know that children grow. When your dancer grows out of her pointe shoes, or wears through them, she can't wait and she can't dance. Her toes will be squeezed into the shoes and cause pain, or not have the support they need. Dancers always seem to grow out of their shoes just before recital time. It is nice to have shiny new shoes for recital photos, but they may only get a week or two of wear out of them before the performance and then grow again over the summer.
Some parents are tempted to cut corners. They'll go to the closest store or buy pointe shoes on the internet because they're less expensive. You want your child to wear a helmet when they ride their bike. You should also take care with the shoes on their feet when the weight of their entire body presses down upon a few little toes. This is not a place to cut corners. Instead, ask your favorite dance store when they have sales. Be aware of whether your dancer is starting to grow out of her shoes. You may be able to get them on a sale earlier, rather than a panic run at full price.
When a dancer has the skill, posture, placement and maturity for pointe and shows a desire to learn and work slowly towards success, then yes, it can lead to beautiful, flowing movement. Let it happen when the dancer is ready. There's no rush. Most things in life worth having are worth waiting for. ♥
Miss Stephanie
This dancer is a brand new pointe student. She took a course in pre-pointe first and was well prepared. Now she is learning how to stand properly, adjust her weight and posture for pointe work. It takes time, but she's on her way. This was one of her first attempts at chaine turns across the floor!
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