is ballet appropriate for a 6-year old?

YES!

BUT,

ballet is a discipline and is kind of dull, especially for younger kids when starting out, there's so much terminology (french) and dance postures/exercises to learn. for a long time you're not really 'dancing'.....

it depends on how mature/serious your child is and what they want to get out of it.

i teach a class for 3-6 year olds that incorporates dance-drama and games as well as hard core learning into the hour that we spend each week. many studios do not follow this regime and are more rigid in their approach.

And 1 hour can be too long for a youngster.

regardless, it will improve a child's posture and increase flexibility. you have to start somewhere.

investigate what studios or community centers have to offer in your area and choose a program that might best suit your child.

WAIT A MINUTE! "aside from the social benefits in class"

there are TWO kinds of schools one for recreational dance and one that takes your childs goals seriously. If your daughter expresses an interest in dance because she likes it

there realy isnt any social activity time in class. If your daughter is begging you she wants to be a dancer? THEN go to a good school and there is definately NO socializing in class. that would be a disrespect.

companies like Joffrey where I whent or ABT take children 6-7 yrs of age. There are many non for profit professionally oriented schools that your child can benifit from. THIS is the age to start. Ask her what her goals are and how serious she wants it and you will have your answer.

I started ballet when I was 3. I know it seems young, but I continued professional training for 15 years after that. It helped with discipline, coordination, social skills, and confidence. I would say that your child will do great in ballet at 6 years old.

Girls in general seem to love ballet. They love the music, they benefit from the discipline (as long as the exercises remain appropriate to the age) it helps them with coordination, with balance, with memory, with poise -

if the child is interested and enjoys it, the training and experience of ballet is of great value.

Absolutely!!!!! I started dancing ballet when I was 3. I think that yes it does improve their social skills but it also teaches self discipline and gives them confidence. When you are in a recital on the stage dancing and after wards everyone claps it makes them proud of themselves for working so hard. Having the self confidence to get up on that stage and dance will give them a better self image and the confidence to express yourself in front of a big crowd will definitely be needed as she gets older. It is also very fun and as you get older it helps keep you physically fit which is a plus. So let her go for it and tell her to have fun!

Sure - if she enjoys doing it! It will help improve coordination, which can be useful for any other sport or dance activity that she decides to pursue later in life. It also sends the message that physical activity is good - important when so many kids are plopped in front of a television or computer screen.

Well, my daughter will be starting ballet soon and she is younger than 6. I think it's good for them to learn coordination at this age.

I took ballet at that age, and it helped my posture. The love of dance stayed with me throughout my life as well. You will be doing your daughter a favor by getting her involved in such a wonderful endeavor!

I believe so. I started in Ballet when I was about that age. Also, if you want to do Ballet seriously you need to start young

Absolutely!!! Ballet or Gymnastics.