In this article we will address tips on how to give practical suggestions for your beginner Pointe students. From how to prepare them for their first Pointe class, to basic bare exercises that will help them to gain strength and confidence while working in a safe and challenging way.
Preparation
1) Talk to parents and student regarding what they need to do for their child as she goes on Pointe
2) Insist on a visit to an orthopedic doctor combined with foot x-ray
3) Start some preliminary foot strengthening exercises
4) Tell the student where to buy Pointe shoes
5) Show them how to sew ribbons and if necessary, elastics
First day of class
1) Give all students the foot care hand out
2) Show them how to put shoes on correctly
3) Work on correct stance at the barre
4) Give 15 minutes of barre exercises
It is important to slowly build up the time that beginner Pointe dancers are actually up on their toes. They will not have the strength or stamina to spend too much time on pointe initially. It is really important at this stage to emphasize the idea of working through the feet and supporting well with the upper body.
Each week you can gradually increase the time that the students are on pointe. It is equally important to get them used to working on demi-pointe with their pointe shoes on.
By the end of one year they should be able to do a full Pointe barre as well as some simple center work. If the student is ready both physically and mentally when they first go on Pointe it will be a much smoother and easier transition for them.
