Pointe

Once a dancer has reached the age of twelve and has taken ballet class for several or more years, the subject of point work inevitably arises. It seems that every young dancer dreams of dancing in pointe shoes. The professional ballerina makes dancing on pointe seem effortless as she glides and floats across the stage. Pointe shoes were initially invented to give the dancer a heavenly and ethereal quality, allowing her to rise above the problems of the mere mortals in her audience. Dancing on pointe is beautiful, but that beauty can only be achieved through many years of hard work, discipline and dedication.
Pointe work is simply an extension of the ballet training that has gone before. Instead of wearing the flat, soft ballet shoes, the dancer now puts on the “pointe” slipper that will allow her to rise up on her toes. If your child is looking to join the ranks of these heavenly sylphs, it is a lofty but achievable goal.

 

How will I know when my child is ready for pointe?

Before beginning pointe work, both child and parent should have a clear understanding of what it takes to begin pointe work. A good rapport with a professional, certified ballet instructor is an absolute must! Assessing a dancer’s readiness to begin taking pointe is a part of the teacher’s job. An accurate “pointe readiness” assessment is crucial to your child’s well being and their ability to make the leap into this new area of study. Once this detailed assessment has taken place, the parent and child must trust that their teacher “knows best” when it comes to determining your child’s readiness to begin point. Placing a dancer in pointe shoes too early can have devastating emotional and physical consequences for the dancer. If you do not trust your child’s teacher to make this decision then you should find a new studio or a new teacher. If it is determined that your child is not ready to begin pointe work, parents and dancers should be prepared to accept the advice given and continue to work in their ballet class to achieve the form, strength, and alignment needed to make a successful transition into pointe work. Remember that dance is a journey, not a destination! Each child matures and develops at their own pace. Do not compare your child to others; each child will arrive at this mile marker in their own time. The best outcome will be achieved if the child is praised for their dedication, directed to focus on the areas where improvement is needed and encouraged to work hard to achieve their goal.

 

Does my child have to take pointe?

No, all dancers do not need to take pointe. Dancers with the physique, talent and emotional stamina to pursue a professional ballet career will eventually need to begin taking pointe. All professional ballerinas must dance en pointe. However, if your child should not be able to take pointe or should they find the rigors of the training too strenuous, there are limitless possibilities for a career in dance or a related field that do not require any experience in pointe shoes.

What factors determine the readiness of my child to take pointe?

As mentioned above, there are many factors that must be taken into consideration before a decision can be made about pointe work. The best option is to make an appointment with your child’s ballet instructor to discuss your child’s readiness. Input from other teachers in other disciplines will also be valuable. Factors affecting pointe readiness have been listed below.

a) Physical Age of Child – the question of what age to put a child on pointe has always been controversial. It is best to err on the side of the older child, primarily based on the child’s physical development and the concerns that arise regarding placing a child who is too young in a pointe shoe. It is best to wait until the foot bones are fully mature before beginning pointe work. The emotional maturity required to take pointe also lends itself to an older child.

b) Emotional Age of Child – before beginning pointe work the dancer must be able to emotionally handle the addition of more hours of ballet study, the balance of school, home and dance. Is the dancer able to prepare and take care of their pointe shoes? Yes, the pointe shoes must be sewn and maintained. Can the dancer take care of their feet? Foot and nail care are extremely important when taking pointe.
Can your child handle the “pain” of being in pointe shoes, the blisters,
and other physical problems that often manifest when pointe shoes are worn for class?

c) Foot & Ankle Structure – the teacher should carefully evaluate your
child’s foot, toes, and ankle prior to making a decision about pointe work. The experienced ballet teacher will know how to evaluate your child’s foot and ankle to determine if there will be problems. This anatomical assessment may reveal problems that would preclude the study of pointe. In addition, a careful evaluation of the foot will also help determine the best type of pointe shoe for your child. The number of variables are too numerous to review here. It should be noted, that this anatomical review is crucial and should be mandatory prior to any child beginning pointe work. If the teacher does find problems or structural concerns, you may need to seek additional advice from your child’s pediatrician or an othopedist.

d) Physical Maturation – your child should be evaluated to determine if they are physically ready to begin pointe work. The teacher’s evaluation should include the following: 1) general posture and alignment, 2) degree of turnout from the hip and ability to hold this turnout in various positions, including releve, 3) core strength and stability, 4) ability to attain and maintain a straight supporting leg in all one and two footed work at the barre and in the center, 5) the ability to work in strong three-quarter releve at barre and in center, and 6) demonstrated mastery of basic ballet concepts and technique.

If it is determined that your child is ready to begin point, it is understood that The child will be taking an absolute minimum of three hours of ballet/week. Is your child ready for this additional time commitment? Will they continue to study their other dance techniques, such as tap, jazz or modern. Dropping other classes may not be the best choice. A dancer educated and trained in ballet, jazz and modern may have more opportunities than one who drops other classes to take a few years of pointe. Many dancers have a natural curiosity about pointe and they should certainly not be discouraged from taking pointe work, as long as, the long term goals are explored before decisions are made and pointe shoes are purchased. The additional expense of pointe should also be considered. Pointe shoes must be fitted very carefully to each individual childs foot. (Expert help with the first pair of pointe shoes it strongly recommended. The teachers at the Diamond Dance Center will accompany you on this first trip to buy shoes.) Shoes cannot be worn if they are too small or when they are too soft. Pointe shoes and ribbons are expensive (up to $70/pair). If a child has significant variances between their right and left feet, two pair may have to be purchased at the outset. The fit of the pointe shoe is crucial to a successful beginning in the study of pointe. If you are purchasing your child’s first pair of pointe shoes, beware of shops that fit one pair of pointe shoes on your child and try to send you on your way. A “first” time pointe shoe fitting should not be rushed and can take some time. If the dancer’s feet do not grow, a beginner may get a year of use out of a pair of shoes. Advanced dancers may have to purchase several pair a year. Professional dancers may go through a pair of pointe shoes in one performance!