Holy DIABETES DEATH BY DIABETES. Diabetes.Follow

On the one hand, it's cute, but I'm immediately predisposed to remark negatively about stuff like this because there's no logical way those kids got this talented, at such a young age, by their own driven desire. This is the work of parents who probably put way too much pressure on their children and no doubt force them to practice for several hours a day to get to this level so young.

Edited, Dec 1st 2011 12:56pm by BrownDuck

This was adorable.

And yes, they've probably been practicing for several hours a day for a year or so, given that they're maybe five or six. But it's because of their young age that this is actually a lot easier for them - they have the natural flexibility of youth, and building up the muscle necessary to support their weight isn't as hard since they're relatively short and not too heavy yet. I was able to do a hand stand without thinking about it as a kid, or roll over onto my back and stand up, and it was easy. But because I didn't practice it as I grew up, I lost those abilities.

The girl won't be allowed to start pointe for many years (your feet have to grow to almost adult size before they'll start that), but if she keeps up daily practice, she'll maintain that flexibility and strength in addition to having the grace that age will provide. (She's already naturally graceful, surprisingly so. That is more remarkable than the acrobatics they did.)

Ballet classes for toddlers and early elementary school kids really are more like extended play periods. Lots of "Let's see how long we can make our bodies! Lets pretend to be caterpillars! Let's make a BIG CIRCLE with our hands!" The emphasis is on learning to control natural movement. They don't start getting stretched and pulled into unnatural shapes until they're approaching adolescence.

I'd wager it is the case more often than not. Anyway, I'm not condemning this particular case. This, on the other hand, is a classic example of what I'm talking about.

I really want to say something about parents living through their kids, and how letting them do what they seemingly enjoy is neither a good idea nor a valid argument when dealing with kids, but I feel like it's a very slippery slope.

I'd probably have to pull out my dusty old psychology books on behavior modification before going down that road.

Edit: Also, what Arex said.

Edited, Dec 1st 2011 11:54pm by Mazra

Bush asked "Is our children learning?"

And TLC said, "No! Need more reality teevee!!!!"