Class: Ballet Bears
Location: Quaker Meeting House, Kenelm Road, Sutton Coldfield, B73 6HD
Time: 10:30-11:15am
Age Group: 2 to 5 years
Price: £5 a session
Company Website Address: http://www.kidsletsdance.co.uk
What a fantastic class this was. By far our favourite dance class. We went to watch Birmingham Royal Ballets First Steps – Introduction to Ballet last week (review coming over the next couple of days) and it was the start of Jemimas new love of ballet. I did ballet as a young child and as an adult I look back and wish I had kept doing it. It’s such a beautiful form of dance to watch, so I have to admit I’m pretty chuffed that Jemima tells me she wants to be a ballerina. Hell yes! And even more chuffed that we have found such a fantastic class for her to attend.
What is Ballet Bears?
Amazing, that’s what it is. But for those who haven’t been and want to know a bit more about the sessions, the class is a ballet themed weekly class, teaching the beginning of ballet, looking at first steps, ballet terminology and moves. All done with the help of some very interesting bear mascots (not huge mascot costumes with people in, which I had originally thought, but little Teddy bears, used within the session).
What kind of things do the children do in the sessions?
The session we attended, covered so much within the 45 minute class time.
A warm up at the start of the session saw the children all laughing and smiling, sitting, standing and jumping on a blue spot each (signifying their space). The children all got to meet two mascot bears and say hello to them.
The cheeky bears were tickling some of the children’s feet, making them giggle.
The children learnt how to stamp their feet and clap their hands at the same time.
And they were reminded about good toes (stretched out and pointing toes) and naughty toes (toes pointing to the ceiling) which all of the children enjoy doing, waving their fingers at the toes when they are ‘naughty’.
Lots of the ballet steps were taught and reinforced in a way which entertained the children, making them laugh and smile and jump around.
Jemimas favourite was the Sauté, where you jump up and down using both feet at the same time.
Jemima also enjoyed trying to do the Passe (standing on one foot with the other foot resting on the leg by the knee).
There were lots of other moves used during the session and all of the children actively got involved and joined in and us parents got to learn the names of different dance moves. It was a real chance for the children to develop not only their ballet style but also increase confidence and have fun.
The session is really good for developing fine and gross motor skills, a lot of things matched with the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework too. Things such as identifying colours, counting numbers, differentiating between being in and out of a circle.
There’s a few sections of “What is in the bag?” which is a particular favourite of mine and the girls and we use this song when wanting to look in bags and see what exciting things are inside. My bags are usually boring food shopping, but here at this group Jemima got to meet two new fairies.
Each child is given chance to hug whoever comes out of the bag. The children all really enjoyed this and had a look of pride on their faces when having their turn. And they did amazing at taking turns. No fighting or snatching. Each child happily waited for their turn.
Each session sees a prop box pulled out with a variety of things for the children to free play and dance with. Jemima chose a blue ribbon which she spent most of her time with but she had a good look at what else was there, including musical instruments, teddies, scarves and beanbags.
Beanbags were also used during a balancing section within the class. I was amazed at how good Jemima and the other children were at this. They had to balance a beanbag on a variety of places on their bodies including heads, feet, elbows, fingers and backs.
There was a section where each child did a side gallop down the hall, stood on their tippy toes around the fairy sat at the end of the hall and side galloped back. It was great to see Jemima on her first session have the confidence to give it a try on her own.
And it was also lovely that each child got to have a go. Some who were less confident were guided around by Hannah (owner and class leader of Kids Let’s Dance) who has such an amazing bond with the children. Hannah is full of energy, smiles and completely engages all of the children with her personality and talent. To be honest she engaged me too, which is quite a feat.
This really is so much more than ‘just’ a ballet class. It’s a magical experience for all children. Boys and Girls alike.
At the end of the session, the children all complete a cool down with various stretches.
All of the children then sit together with Hannah and are given a stamp. Or six as Jemima wanted. Ha!
We enjoyed the class so much that we will be going back again.
Thank you Hannah for providing such a fantastic ballet class.
We now have two favourite classes Ballet Bears for a physical class and Sounds Right Phonics North Birmingham with Jenna for helping with reading and writing.
Hey, if you liked this review or maybe were inspired to try this out because of my post, you can always buy me or the kids a drink for our next big trip! Just hit the button below, if you want to. 🙂
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Disclaimer: We were invited along for a complimentary session to see what we thought. All views are our own.