As parents, we want to keep our kids active, growing and developing. Online ballet classes for kids can be a great way to accomplish those things. For parents with babies born early, seeking activities for preemies can be overwhelming at times.
Ballet is a common childhood activity. If your child was born prematurely, you might be wondering if it is still possible and beneficial to do ballet. While all kids need to stay active, the benefits of being active for preemies is huge. The more active your little one is, the better their overall gross motor and even cognitive development can be.
At the International Ballet Academy, we have several online ballet classes for kids which can support your preemie’s development.
Benefits of online ballet for preemies include:
Ballet Improves Overall Body Strength
Ballet is a full body activity. From stretching which improves flexibility to coordinated movements involving arms and legs, ballet uses muscles all over the body. Preemies are more likely to have generalized weakness and low muscle tone when compared to their peers.
Activities which help strengthen the whole body can aid in compensating for these challenges. Ballet is a fun and engaging way to workout the entire body.
Kids Who Do Ballet Have Improved Balance
Have you noticed your little one toddling and tripping as they first begin to walk? That’s their immature vestibular system still developing.
Does your little one climb on you and bump your head? Run into the furniture and struggle to walk without bumping into the person next to them? This is an immature proprioceptive system, they’re still learning where their body is in relation to things around them.
Developing vestibular and proprioceptive systems, which aid in balance and body awareness in space, are important for overall development. Kids who do ballet have improved balance because of ballet engaging both vestibular and proprioceptive systems.
Preemies are more likely to have vestibular and proprioceptive deficits. Ballet can help reduce the deficits, so they catch up to and even excel compared to peers.
Ballet Aids In Cognitive Development
The connection between physical movement and cognitive development for children is huge. Have you ever heard about the importance of crawling before walking? This is because the movement pattern of crawling helps develop neuropathways.
In the same way, ballet movements can aid in developing neuropathways. Children are learning patterns, timing music, and memorizing motor planning. Exposure to both music and choreography can be excellent for cognitive development.
The more a child moves, often the better they learn. For preemies, neuroplasticity (or the brain’s ability to rewire) in the early years can help offset the impact of prematurity on development. Ballet is an excellent activity to help with overall development.
Ballet Improves Core Stability
Core stability is vital for our overall health, posture, and strength. Poor core strength and stability is an epidemic problem in many school aged children. Our more sedentary lifestyle combined with many baby “containers” can impact developing core stability. Preemies are even more at risk for poor core stability.
Ballet training is an excellent way to improve core stability. This aids in posture, comfort with sitting, and more. Children with appropriate core stability are likely to do better in school as they’re not distracted by their body struggling with poor core stability.
Be sure to read Dancing and Core Stability to learn more.
Online Ballet Classes For Kids Are Flexible
As parents, we know that finding time to take your child to a class can be difficult when you add in commuting. We also know that many preemies are immunocompromised making classes a concern and risk.
At the International Ballet Academy, we believe everyone should have access to quality and professional ballet training. Online classes mean no commuting time. They also mean your child trains in the comfort and safety of your home, meaning no additional germ exposure risk.
We offer caregiver and me classes, varied age level classes, and adaptive ballet. This means regardless of your preemie’s age, ability, and development, we can find a class which suits them.
To learn more about the classes we offer, be sure to read Online Ballet Classes For Kids.
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