Ballet Positions Giveaway September 9, 2015 As we launch into the 2016-2017 year of classes, The Ballet Source would like to provide teachers with a few FREE resources. The first four levels of the Ballet Arts for Young Children Curriculum use these feet… Read More Ballet Positions Giveaway
Organizing and Running a "Happy Class" July 27, 2015 Children need structure. This is especially true in the pre-ballet years, as they prepare for a more disciplined class. The less “free time” they have in the class period, the better. They should know exactly what they’re supposed to… Read More Organizing and Running a "Happy Class"
Level 4 "Ballet Arts for Young Children" Curriculum Release May 30, 2015 We just wrapped up the finishing touches on our finest curriculum to date! Here is a sneak peek into many of the unique features of Level 4. Color illustrations Helpful Diagrams, Which Can Also… Read More Level 4 "Ballet Arts for Young Children" Curriculum Release
Teaching Pre-Ballet Arm Positions May 2, 2015 It’s not easy to create the proper lines and shapes required in classical ballet, but there are many concepts we can impart in class that they can grasp and accomplish even at a very young age. Ruth Brinkerhoff’s Article… Read More Teaching Pre-Ballet Arm Positions
20 Ways to Create a Comfortable Class April 27, 2015 Most of us can remember being in a class where we couldn’t focus or understand what was being presented. It wasn’t much fun, was it? A dance class can feel that way to a young child. Childrens’ brains… Read More 20 Ways to Create a Comfortable Class
Understand Your Students' Growth Process April 17, 2015 The little bodies of children between the ages of 7 and 10 are going through a lot of physical changes. As teachers, we need to understand and respect the body’s need for certain parameters when it comes to teaching ballet… Read More Understand Your Students' Growth Process
Their First Pair of Pointe Shoes April 7, 2015 Ballet requires that the dancer spend many years building and shaping the instrument of their art, which is their own physical body. The “Dancer’s Body” comes as a result of long hours of careful training of the muscles. Read More Their First Pair of Pointe Shoes
6 Classroom "Attention-Getters" to Watch Out For March 29, 2015 Every dance studio is different with its own set of rules and expectations, but one thing remains the same throughout: children will be children. No matter where I teach, I find that there are certain little tricks… Read More 6 Classroom "Attention-Getters" to Watch Out For
How To Talk Effectively With Children March 14, 2015 Young children, especially children ages 3 to 5, do not understand the spoken word as well as we think they do! They have a large vocabulary of words and phrases, but the exact meanings are not always clear to them. In… Read More How To Talk Effectively With Children
Training Your Dance Assistant March 6, 2015 Teachers have gone back and forth on this issue forever: Is it a good idea to use a teacher’s assistant in class? Some are like I was and would prefer that the teacher be the sole authority in… Read More Training Your Dance Assistant
The Twelve Week Rule February 21, 2015 One of the hardest things a pointe teacher faces is the fear that their students may injure themselves. This, of course, is the last thing we want for our students. Too often the students are pushed too hard too soon, and… Read More The Twelve Week Rule
The 3 Stages of Coordination February 13, 2015 Ballet skills are built upon the base of natural skills that has been developed within the person. This is why extensive experience with fundamental movement skills is important for a ballet class of young children. It is surprising… Read More The 3 Stages of Coordination
Don't Be A Skipper, Teach Them To Skip! February 7, 2015 Skipping requires balance, symmetry in muscle use, self-esteem and some natural coordination. It is often used as an indicator of ‘readiness to learn’ academic subjects. It is expected that children in a dance class will learn to skip. Read More Don't Be A Skipper, Teach Them To Skip!
Pacing of Ballet Classwork January 31, 2015 I remember the very first time I taught a pre-ballet class by myself. It was a group of crazy, beautiful, energetic 5 and 6 year-olds. They looked at me with expectation and excitement and I looked right back with sheer… Read More Pacing of Ballet Classwork
Choreographic Advice for Teachers January 23, 2015 “Never let an opportunity go without adding your enlightening [movement] to further the cause of the loftiest, oldest, most profound of the arts and, in so doing, I sincerely believe that you will be… Read More Choreographic Advice for Teachers
Planning Your Lessons January 6, 2015 Let’s face it: we don’t have time to do detailed planning for every class. Class just isn’t the same if you walk in without a lesson plan. The students don’t get as much out of the time you have… Read More Planning Your Lessons
Release Day 2015 January 3, 2015 It’s finally here! The release of the first ever digital ballet curriculum and lesson plans!… Read More Release Day 2015
5 Principles of Classical Ballet for Young Children December 19, 2014 Even at the earliest age, ballet students are absorbing the classical principles we instill in them. From as early as age 3, there are fundamental movement and artistic elements that can be cultivated in order to shape how that student learns and… Read More 5 Principles of Classical Ballet for Young Children
Teaching Pre-Ballet is a Challenge! December 2, 2014 It is a challenge for creative teachers to keep the ballet and other choreographic movements within the abilities of young dancers! It is worth your time and effort to do so. The end result will be better dancers in your… Read More Teaching Pre-Ballet is a Challenge!
Six Choreographic Guidelines for Threes November 16, 2014 It surprised me this year how much of a struggle it is to choreograph for three and four year olds! Doesn’t seem like a huge task; after all, they’re only preschoolers! They’ve hardly scratched the surface of ballet technique, what… Read More Six Choreographic Guidelines for Threes
Curriculum In the Works November 14, 2014 Good evening, friends. Just wanted to put a quick message out there to those of you who are awaiting the release of Ruth Brinkerhoff’s ballet curriculum in PDF form . . . It’s coming! The late… Read More Curriculum In the Works
No-Stress Performance Prep November 10, 2014 In my last blog post, (The Dance Teacher’s Secret Weapon) I gave out the secret that every dance teacher should grab a hold of and use the moment any students begin to show signs of burnout or boredom. Having… Read More No-Stress Performance Prep
The Dance Teacher's Secret Weapon: Expectancy November 6, 2014 It’s been one of those weeks. We all know them—toward the end of the first term, dance teachers often experience their first bouts of student burnout. Everything was great when we first started the semester, but now the students have already… Read More The Dance Teacher's Secret Weapon: Expectancy
Why "Changing It Up" May Not Always Be Best October 6, 2014 One might think that the best way to keep a group of active, eager and talkative 9 year-olds’ attention would be to make things different each week of ballet class. That way they stay engaged and interested. Ruth Brinkerhoff’s “… Read More Why "Changing It Up" May Not Always Be Best
Ballet Began In Italy September 25, 2014 Say what?!Yes, indeed. Some people think that, because ballet terms are in French, that France must have been the origin of ballet. Of course, we ballet teachers know this, but remember, some of our students do not know that the… Read More Ballet Began In Italy