When dressing your daughter for ballet…

It can seem like a huge hassle to put a leotard and tights on a three-year-old for her 45 minute ballet class.  However, following dress code and wearing traditional ballet attire is extremely important in learning and appreciating the art of dance.  Follow these tips to make sure the dressing process goes smoothly.

1.  Plan to help her get dressed right before you have to go to the studio for class. 

2.  Have her go to the bathroom right before she gets dressed.  Sometimes the snug waistband of ballet tights can make children feel like they have to go to the bathroom.  Using the toilet before getting dressed will make her feel more comfortable and minimize the possibility of any accidents.

3.  Put her tights on first WITH NOTHING UNDERNEATH.  It is unacceptable to wear underwear under ballet tights and leotards.  All girls and ladies’ dance tights have a hygienic gusset (crotch area) that is breathable and will not cause irritation.  (If your tights do not have a hygienic gusset, they are not dance tights and should not be used for ballet.)  To make the tights go on easier, put your hand in the leg of the tight and scrunch up the length of the leg until the foot is right up at the waistband.  Then when your little one puts her foot into the tights, her toes will immediately be right where they are supposed to be and you can easily pull the leg portion over her leg and up to her waist.  Repeat with the other leg.  (Before you do this, make sure the tights are not inside out or backwards.)

4.  Put her leotard on over the tights.  She should not have anything else underneath it (undershirt, etc.).  Make sure the leotard is on the correct way and not backwards (easy mistake to make).  Usually the lower cut part of the leotard goes to the back.  If she is allowed to wear a skirt in class, she can put it on now or wait until you arrive at the studio.

5.  DO NOT put your daughter’s ballet shoes on her until you get to the studio.  She cannot walk around in them outside on the sidewalk or in the parking lot; this ruins the shoes and shows a lot of disrespect for the art of ballet.  It is also not a good idea to put her ballet shoes on her at home and then carry her into the car and into the studio.  (It tends to show that you put your convenience ahead of her learning ballet etiquette). 

6.  Fix your daughter’s hair.  If her hair is long enough, put it in a bun (it doesn’t have to be especially tight or neat if her scalp is sensitive or her hair is unruly).  If her hair is not long enough to bun, do what you can to pull it back in a ponytail or neatly off her face with a headband or clips.

7.  If she is not wearing a ballet skirt, make sure your daughter puts on some form of street clothes 

over her dancewear.  A pair of athletic shorts or sweat pants are a great choice.  If it’s chilly outside, add a sweater or jacket. 

8.  Help her get her street shoes on.  If she is wearing full-footed tights, do not allow her to wear flip flops.  Clogs or other easy-to -slip-on shoes are the best choice.  Avoid shoes with Velcro (or any article of clothing with Velcro, for that matter) because it can easily catch on tights and cause them to run.

9.  Grab your daughter’s dance bag (yes, she needs a dance bag even if she is a toddler), and make sure it has all her necessary items in it (ballet shoes, water bottle, dance skirt if she needs one and is not already wearing it) and not too many distracting/extraneous items (toys, food, money).

Now your little dancer is all ready to head to the studio for a great class!