The girls returned smiling and excited and the Princess proclaimed that she will do her exam again tomorrow if she can. Such enthusiasm. Proud mommy moment.
As we drove home the first big storm with hail of the summer hit us. Gosh, it was huge.
Monday, 24 October 2011
Learning takes place in life, not just at school
On Wednesday the Princess danced her Royal Academy of Dance Primary Ballet exam. I found the whole idea slightly stressful (but I do find that most things stress me out a bit at the moment) - she, on the other hand, apart from a bit of worry a week before, did not. In fact, as I photographed her little group just before they entered the studio, she was relaxed and smiling. Good preparation goes a long way.
While they were dancing away (they were the last group of the afternoon), we had tea with their teacher and had a chat about the value of the exams - why do we do it? After all, most of the girls will never be ballerinas. A mom mentioned poise, grace and stature, another the value of learning to follow directions closely and paying attention - something one of the grade 1 teachers mentioned at the open day of her new school. (She mentioned the ballet girls and the karate and judo kids for interest). The teacher mentioned another aspect specifically pertaining to the exams - the value of doing your first test or exam outside the school environment. Learning to cope with hard work and stress before actually going to "big school". Whatever your motivation may be, extra mural activities does add to the learning environment.
The girls returned smiling and excited and the Princess proclaimed that she will do her exam again tomorrow if she can. Such enthusiasm. Proud mommy moment.
As we drove home the first big storm with hail of the summer hit us. Gosh, it was huge.
The girls returned smiling and excited and the Princess proclaimed that she will do her exam again tomorrow if she can. Such enthusiasm. Proud mommy moment.
As we drove home the first big storm with hail of the summer hit us. Gosh, it was huge.
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I do also agree that learning is not just in the classroom but in Life as well
ReplyDeleteCat--- My little one is jsut beginning ballet, and I admit I was more worried about it all and she was carefree and excited. She wants to go every day, and even on the weekends. It is amazing the confidence they show, even when Mama is worried! I am proud of her, and the calmness she expressed will take her very far in life!! Bravo Ballerina, Bravo!!!!
ReplyDeleteloves those pointed toes
ReplyDeleteDo you know I did ballet for 13 years? from 4 - 17 when I finished school. I also did about 5 years of Spanish and 4 years of modern dancing.
ReplyDeleteFor me, the biggest lessons were to respect my body (you really start to value it as a machine :)) as I could eat anything and not gain weight :) But my biggest life lessons that I still think it taught me was to have self-discipline and work towards a goal even when it seemed impossible (like from the start of learning a dance to the end when it all comes together) and of course, to be fearless in front of people :) (my mother said I never had problems with that though - hahaha)
LOVE all the pics and I do hope you'll stop being stressed by everything - maybe we need to get together :)
ps D and I were saying again yesterday, "how on EARTH do people in PTA survive in this heat?!"
ReplyDeleteAs you can see, I'm a lightweight!
Wow! She looked relaxed and enjoying it! I am definitely going to take Mieka for ballet classes! She loves watching it already!
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful...is there anything cuter than a little ballerina!
ReplyDeletegorgeous...my little princess will do her 1st ballet exam next year.......eeek!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great experience! My daughter was thinking about being Pipi for Halloween this year. It's nice to know we're not the only family who remembers who she is.
ReplyDeleteLooks like she breezed through it. I agree these things teach them SO much. It's not about becoming a pro, it's life long memories and learning in the making. Well done to you too.
ReplyDeleteShe looks so pretty in her ballet outfit. And relaxed considering she was about to do an exam. Glad to hear it went well :)
ReplyDeleteThe princess looks so sweet with her ballet outfit. It is our first ballet exam the 18th November. I am excited but also nervous.
ReplyDeleteIs it wrong to force my boys to do ballet? Still won't get the same kind of pictures - never mind :(
ReplyDeleteWell done Princess!
Well done to the Princess.
ReplyDeleteI am still trying to find an extra murual that Kiara will do on the one hand and on the other I am trying to get Cameron to drop one!
My Miss South Africa to be also makes a smashing ballerina...way you go girl...cant keep a talented girl down"!""
ReplyDelete@Marcelle - you should have seen her in Zumba class!
ReplyDeletewow - what a great post and lesson! I honestly have no idea if they do ballet exams here. Sarah had been so excited to do dance for so long...and was finally enrolled this fall - and she has asked to quit already.
ReplyDeleteShe cried each week when it was time to go and begged not to keep going. I had her do the 1st month to be sure (and since I'd already paid) and when it was October - she said no. I was honestly a little sad. She seems totally ok with her decision but i'm still very surprised...