There was an article recently in The Wall Street Journal that described how to help children remember momentous events from their lives. The key was to retell the story over and over and as they get older, relate it to current events. It was a day that I didn’t want big girl to forget, so I planned on making it grand and talking about it often.
It was big girls first ballet recital.
Big girl fell in love with ballet on her own. I don’t even recall how it happened. So at 2 ½ , I signed her up for her first ballet class. On Mondays for the past year, we have been taking ballet at a nearby studio. She loves ballet! There are many mornings that she gets up and the first thing she asks is “I have ballet today?”. To round her out, big girl plays soccer and takes swim class in addition to going to preschool. But her true love is ballet class.
With that comes a lot of ballet clothes. We have leotards, shoes, and tutus, of course. I thought it was cute to get her rain boots that look like tie-up pointe shoes – they immediately became her imaginary pointe shoes and have never left the house let alone get wet.
There are many mornings that big girl dresses herself and puts on a ballet outfit even though she does not have ballet. We finally had to draw the line and declare no more leotards at school when she couldn’t get it off fast enough one day and had a potty accident. But now, she wears them around the house on any given day and wears ballet inspired dresses outside the house.
Her favorite thing to do is reenact a scene from one of the many of her ballet books where the main character dances down the frozen food aisles. So, when we go grocery shopping, you can find big girl twirling down the aisles in her tutu. During these outings, we usually get asked at least once by a stranger if today is ballet day. We then have to explain that no, she just likes to dress this way all the time.
So, I was very excited when we signed up for the winter/spring ballet session to hear that the children would be working towards a recital at the end of the season. And the big day is here.
Getting out the door to the recital was half the battle.
Costume, tights, ballet slippers, hair ties – check.
In all the books we read, the performers receive flowers.
Flowers – check.
Snacks to keep little girl quiet – check.
Since we were out of town during the dress rehearsal, I had no idea whether or not big girl would have stage fright. We have read so many books about ballet and ballet recitals that I simply told her during breakfast that now it was her turn to go up on stage.
We arrived at the auditorium with plenty of time. We made some last minute changes to her monkey costume. I then sat her with her class and took my seat. If you have never seen 2 ½ – 3 year olds do ballet, it is a very sweet experience no matter what they end up actually doing on stage. At that age, their teacher is in front guiding them through their performance. As they get older, the teacher gets further away.
Big girl did a really nice job – she followed along and did her monkey dance the best that she could.
I was so proud of her for going up on stage and dancing that it brought a tear to my eye. It also really made me feel like a mom. I have been proud of big girl for life skills accomplishments – like walking and talking. Those are things that every child will do. But today, she got up on stage on her own accord. The curtains slid open, she did her dance and took a bow. I was a proud mother and it felt a little strange inside.
Little girl also did a nice job. Because each performance was short – she sat still and quiet and watched intently. The colorful costumes, lights, and music really caught her attention. What was curious was that although my husband and I clapped enthusiastically for each group, little girl was very subjective about which group got her applause ☺.
At the end of it all, we gave big girl her flowers, had a few cookies with her ballet friends, came home and took a long afternoon nap.
I have no idea how long big girl will continue to take ballet. But, this is a day I plan on talking about often in hopes that when she is grown, she can still remember the first time she stepped on the stage.
What things have you witnessed your child choose to do on their own accord?
This is an original post to World Moms Blog by A. Roselyn of California, USA.
Photo credit to the author.
I love this story! I actually brought tears to my eyes thinking about how proud you felt. Love that you gave her flowers at then end of the performance, as you you would to any prima ballerina at the end of a recital! I am sure she will treasure those memories for life, and she will love listening to you talking about it as well!
Thank you, Asta. I must admit, it brought tears to my eyes re-reading it again today and recalling that day vividly.
She sounds a lot like my little girl and I could just feel your heart soaring. I would be tearing up with my girl on stage! What a happy, happy moment!!! Congrats to your big girl on her first recital!!!
Thank you Maggie. It was amazing the feeling I had inside. It was like nothing else in my life.
I LOVE this post! Such a sweet retelling of a very special day. And I must add, as the mother of two little boys who are all about trucks, tools and dinosaurs, I am just a little jealous today of your tutus and hair ties 😉 As for what I have seen my child choose…well, he is someone who wants to try everything he hears about. I encourage this diversity as it will help him hone in on what he trule loves. So we have done swimming, tball, and hockey all due to his prompting. This summer, he is going to do a biking class at our local velodrome, and I do believe this will hit home more than anything else thus far, as my 5 year old is an amazing bike rider! He has been on a two wheeler for some time and has more confidence than I do at 35. He easily stands up to peddle on tough inclines, takes ramps with ease, and can break and slide without falling. It’s so natural to him, and I want to encourage him to continue with this activity through life.
Thank you for the comment, Tara! I was recently describing big girl to a caregiver I recently meet and mentioned that big girl is better on her bike and scooter than her own two feet. And her reply was to the effect that some are better on wheels, some land, and some water. It sounds like your son is all about wheels. Good for him! I only wish my parents taught me to ride a bike at a young age. I think I learned to bike and swim about 10 years ago!
I am with you! I didn’t really bike with any confidence until I was in college. And I am still a terrible swimmer. Love that your girl is a biker chick 😉
We just had our first ballet recital, too, this past weekend for my 4 year old. I know what you were going through! Sweet post! 🙂
Jen – I hope you continue to re-tell the story to your daughter, too. I don’t want them to forget this experience and the pride we had for them.
What a lovely and sweet memory- for all of you!
Thank you, Galit! It certainly was!
Ooowwww such a sweet story :). So cute that she wants to wear her ballet clothes every day!
I agree with the usefulness of retelling important events over and over. Children get a real sense of who they are when we do this and it helps them to make sense of their lives (later on) if they understand their ‘story’. Lovely post. 🙂
Thank you, Karyn! We often have discussion about what our girls may recall from early childhood when they are adults. Hopefully I can help her keep this memory strong.
That’s just lovely, that she loves ballet so much! I do think it’s great to retell stories about our children to them. I think memories anchor them and serve them well in their future. Great story!
Sweet sweet story!