The Importance of a Developmentally Appropriate, Systematic Approach to Learning Dance

At La Petite School of Dance, every decision we make starts with one question:

What is best for the whole child—physically, mentally, emotionally, and artistically?

Dance is a beautiful blend of athleticism and artistry, but it must be taught with care. In recent years, social media has flooded the dance world with images of impressive “tricks”—oversplits, contortion poses, sky-high leaps, and gravity-defying balances. While these skills can be exciting to watch, they can also lead to significant harm when taught or attempted too early.

This blog post explains why we never force tricks or push children into skills their bodies are not ready for, and why we follow a developmentally appropriate, systematic approach that supports safe, long-term growth.

The Hidden Dangers of Forced Tricks and Fast-Tracking Skills

1. Risk of Injury to Bones, Muscles & Growth Plates

Children’s bodies are still forming. Their muscles are shorter, their joints are looser, and their growth plates—soft areas at the ends of bones—are extremely vulnerable.

Forcing splits, backbends, or advanced acro tricks can lead to:

• Stress fractures

• Hip and knee misalignment

• Achilles or hamstring tears

• Long-term mobility issues

Injuries at a young age can follow dancers into adulthood.

2. Creating Instability Instead of Strength

True flexibility and technical skills come from stable joints and strong supporting muscles. When a trick is pushed before those systems are ready, the body learns shortcuts—compensations that may “look good” temporarily but cause long-term dysfunction.

Kids may appear to “get the skill,” but without:

• proper core strength

• balanced muscle activation

• correct alignment

• progressive training

…the skill is unsafe and unsustainable.

3. Damaging Confidence and Love of Dance

When a child feels pressured to do something painful, frightening, or confusing, it can diminish their joy. Dance should build confidence—not fear or frustration.

Forced skills can lead to:

• anxiety

• negative self-image

• resistance toward class

• burnout

At La Petite, our goal is to create lifelong dancers, not short-term tricks.

A Better Way: Our Systematic, Developmentally Appropriate Approach

1. We Teach Skills When the Body Is Ready

Rather than rushing, we follow a clear, research-based progression:

• Foundational strength

• Foundational flexibility

• Alignment

• Balance

• Coordination

• Weight transfer

• Controlled movement

• Layered technique

• THEN age-appropriate skills

This systematic approach ensures every dancer has a strong base to support new movement safely.

2. We Prioritize Quality of Movement, Not Quantity of Tricks

Perfecting pliés, tendus, chassés, skips, and basic acro shapes may not look flashy—but these foundational movements are what make strong dancers later. Think of it as learning the alphabet before writing a novel.

When dancers master fundamentals slowly and intentionally, they develop:

• cleaner technique

• stronger muscles

• more controlled flexibility

• better artistry

• greater long-term success

3. We Respect Natural Growth and Motor Development

A 5-year-old’s body and brain are wildly different from an 8-year-old’s or a 12-year-old’s. We design classes with:

• age-appropriate expectations

• purposeful repetition

• imaginative, engaging content

• movement patterns that support motor development

• exercises that enhance balance, spatial awareness, and rhythm

We never ask children to shape their bodies into positions they are not developmentally ready for.

4. We Build Skills Through Play, Imagery & Exploration

Especially in younger levels, children learn best through:

• storytelling

• imagery

• animal movements

• obstacle courses

• creative pathways

• music exploration

These activities build the neuromuscular pathways required for future technique—without strain, pressure, or fear.

5. We Foster a Safe, Encouraging Environment

Our teachers guide, support, and model correct technique. We do not push, pull, force, or over-stretch dancers. Instead, we:

• teach children to listen to their bodies

• encourage them to speak up if something hurts

• celebrate progress at every stage

• create a space where dance feels joyful, not stressful

Strong Dancers Are Built Slowly—With Care, Patience, and Love

At La Petite School of Dance, we are proud to be a studio that values safety over shortcuts, development over trends, and long-lasting technique over instant gratification.

We believe in building dancers who are:

• confident

• healthy

• expressive

• technically strong

• prepared for the next step in their dance journey

This is why we follow a developmentally appropriate, systematic progression—so that every skill is earned, understood, and safely executed.

Your dancer’s well-being matters to us. Their future matters.

And we are honored to be part of their journey every step of the way.