Trelise is currently obsessed with ballet. She often is found carrying her ballet bag containing her shoes, leotard and skirt around the house looking for an opportunity to put it on. She breaks into dance at least a couple of times a day and asks often if today is the day she goes to ballet.
For the past week it's been raining and raining and raining. When we arrived at the ballet studio yesterday we found the lovely Miss Natalie sectioning off part of the studio where the roof was leaking. She did a good job with buckets and towels. I must say I've never seen anyone stretch like that while mopping up water. I was most impressed!
I did notice that the ceiling tile was discolored from the water leak it had crumbled where most of the water had come through. Anyway the lesson started and all the girls were happily trotting along. About halfway through there was an almightly crash as the ceiling tile fell down. After a short break in the lesson where the rest of the tile was removed the class carried on. Trelise was happy looking at how the tile was being removed and was playing with the other girls in her class.
Minutes later I went to retrieve Juliette who had made her way out in the hallway and when I came back I noticed that something was wrong with Trelise. She was hanging her head. Her behaviour yesterday was erratic so I presumed that Miss Natalie had to tell her off. She didn't pull herself out of her sulk and then ran out crying. Outside she refused to tell me what was wrong and wouldn't go back in. After some prodding she said she was scared because the roof fell down. After the lesson finished I asked Miss Natalie what happened and she didn't realise anything was wrong until she heard me comfort Trelise after she had left. She hadn't had to tell her off and didn't notice anything else that had gone on.
She is still saying that she doesn't want to go back and that's she's scared. It makes me sad because I know how much she loves ballet. I don't want to make her do it but I don't think it's right just to give up an activity in the middle of a term. What would you do?
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Ballet Disaster
Posted by Jocasta at 11:06 AM
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14 comments:
That is very sad. I would definitely take her back and see if she can get comfortable there again. It would be sad for her to give up ballet. She is such a beautiful little ballerina.
Definitely take her back, and let her watch at first, but then do push a bit for her to get back out there. Let the teacher know the situation, and she'll help get her back dancing.
Rent some ballet videos maybe? Help remind her how much she loves it?
There's a great book called Positive Pushing. Sometimes we are the ones that have to get kids through rough spots. This wont be the last time.
Good luck!
She is a beautiful ballerina! I agree, I'd take her back, be with her, and help her get settled. Also, do lots of playtime with ballet at home to remind her of how much she loves it.
Would the instructor be able to call her- talk to her - something where it was coming from her & not you? I also never against bribes, lol.
good luck.
Poor Trelise. Hopefully she will get over the fear. I would so hate to hear she didn't enjoy ballet anymore. Good luck :)
I have to agree with everyone else. If she loved it that much before, I would think she would bounce back pretty quickly once she realized she was safe.
I am sure if you go and tell her teacher and do what is needed to reassure her she will want to do it again. It would terrible to not help her overcome her fear especially because she loved it so much. Kids get scared and we have to teach them how to properly deal with it and reassure them. She is so young so its a fairly normal reaction. You don't want her to learn that when she is uncomfortable she can just stop and do something else. You also don't want her fear to be worrying her. As a mother reassuring her would be most important. It will just take time and likely help from her teacher.
Oh yeah I am also totally into bribes too. I just call it incentive. Promise her something wonderful and she will likely find the strength to overcome her fear.
I have found that the catastrophe of today is often forgotten tomorrow. However if not, I haven't had much success with girls using standard sports motivation.
Does she have a best friend in the class? The friend can ofter lead her in.
Best I can do.
Awwww! Poor girl, from the eyes of a little girl it was probably pretty scary. I hope she doesn't give it up.
I love the picture too, she is a cutie!
Take her to the circus. Clowns are much, much scarier. She'll think ballet is a breeze after that... (you realize I can never be serious...)
That's awful! I would take her back, too. Hopefully it won't be raining when you go back so she won't be reminded of it. Poor thing! She is a beautiful ballerina and I'd hate to see her give it up because she was frightened. Good luck! Tell us how it goes.
PS: I agree with VE. Clowns are much scarier! Ha!
I would take her back and show her the roof is repaired, or perhaps the teacher could call and tell her it's all fixed?? I hope she decides to go, she is one adorable ballerina!!
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