How To Prevent Childhood Dance Injuries

When your child moves beyond the cute little performances of their babyhood and begins a more serious dance schedule, they have to start considering their bodies like any athlete would. After all, serious dance is an athletic sport just where there will be soreness and physical strain.

If proper care is taken, most injuries can be prevented. Often times, that little bit of extra care is all it takes to keep the body in optimum condition and dancing for a lifetime.

1. Hydration – Important for flexibility, endurance, and muscle repair.

2. Shoes – When shoes don’t fit properly it affects form and technique.

3. Technique – Proper form prevents accidents and muscle strain.

4. Warm up and cool down – Preparing the body before and nursing it after
reduces soreness and muscle injury.

5. Listen to your body – Don’t ignore pain and dance through it. That never
ends well!

6. Teachers – Listen to teachers and don’t do movements you may not be ready
for.

It’s also important for parents not to get swept up in the excitement of advancing their children through dance too quickly. Young dancers shouldn’t be pushed, for example, to dance en pointe too young to prevent ankle/foot injuries (although they may look awfully cute wearing them!). Listen to teachers and little bodies to make sure muscles are kept in their best condition.