Expert: Dianne M. Buxton - 11/30/2007

Question
my daughter has started ballet 8 weeks behind everyone else and its obvious she needs help but the school doesn't offer private tutoring. they start on their recital dance in january but i want to make sure she has a chance to be on the same level as the other girls. do you have any ideas of what i can do to help her. I thought about taping the end of the class (they dance for us) and then helping her at home. but i want to make it fun and not that she has to be perfect. thanks

Answer
I'm not sure what the best thing to do is. If her teachers are not worried about the recital dance, then I wouldn't either. Everyone is going to learn it at the same time.

However, if the teachers would let you video the parts of class where they teach the recital dance, then your daughter could practise it at home. I can't imagine it could be anything technical for three year olds.

Ask the teacher if she is concerned about the recital dance - and if your daughter needs any special coaching.

If the recital is at the end of the season - as in June, there is a lot of time for her to catch up.

I hope that helps!

All the best, Dianne

A brief follow up - I've recommended to almost everyone to read my articles and blog entries at http://www.theballetstore.com You have to create a user name to log in to see all the blog entries - your privacy is safe! I really apologize that I didn't tell you this - I'm not a technical person!