Understanding Ballet Terminology: A Beginner’s Guide for Parents
When your child starts ballet, you may hear instructors using elegant yet unfamiliar words to describe movements and positions. Understanding beginner ballet terms for parents can help you feel more connected to your child’s dance journey and better support their progress. Since ballet terminology is rooted in French, the words may seem intimidating at first, but with a little practice, they’ll become second nature. This guide will introduce key ballet terms, their meanings, and pronunciation to help you navigate the world of ballet with confidence.
Why Ballet Terminology Matters
Ballet is an art form built on precision, and its terminology reflects the discipline required to master each movement. Learning beginner ballet terms for parents helps you understand what your child is practicing in class and allows you to communicate with instructors more effectively. It also makes watching performances more engaging when you recognize the movements your child has worked so hard to perfect.
Essential Beginner Ballet Terms for Parents
One of the most fundamental movements in ballet is the plié (plee-AY), which means “to bend.” Dancers bend their knees while keeping their heels on the floor in a demi-plié or allow the heels to lift slightly in a grand plié. This movement builds strength and flexibility in the legs. Another essential movement is the tendu (tawn-DOO), meaning “to stretch.” The dancer extends one leg outward while keeping their toes connected to the floor, strengthening the legs and improving foot articulation.
The relevé (ruhl-uh-VAY), which means “to rise,” involves lifting onto the balls of the feet or onto pointe in advanced levels. It develops balance and strengthens the ankles and calves. A common movement used in turns and transitions is the passé (pah-SAY), where one foot lifts and passes along the supporting leg’s knee. Chassé (sha-SAY), meaning “to chase,” is a gliding step where one foot chases the other, often used in traveling sequences.
In an arabesque (ah-rah-BESK), a dancer balances on one leg while extending the other leg behind them, creating a long, graceful line. A jeté (zhuh-TAY) is a leap from one foot to the other, often performed with a split in the air. Pirouette (peer-oo-WET) refers to a turn performed on one leg, often executed with the foot placed at the knee in passé position, requiring balance, control, and core strength.
Port de bras (por duh BRAH), meaning “movement of the arms,” refers to graceful arm positioning that adds elegance and fluidity to ballet. Échappé (ay-sha-PAY), meaning “to escape,” is a jump from a closed position, like first or fifth, to an open position, such as second, before closing again.
How Parents Can Support Their Young Dancers
Now that you know some beginner ballet terms for parents, you can use them to engage with your child’s dance experience. Encouraging them to practice pliés, tendus, and relevés at home helps reinforce their learning. Watching ballet performances together and identifying movements based on their terminology makes the experience more interactive and enjoyable.
Additionally, asking instructors about your child’s progress using proper ballet terms shows that you are invested in their training. Ballet terminology is part of the tradition and discipline of dance, and becoming familiar with it deepens your appreciation for the art form.
Embracing Ballet as a Parent
Learning beginner ballet terms for parents enhances your understanding of your child’s dance education and allows you to celebrate their achievements with greater insight. By familiarizing yourself with common terms and their pronunciations, you’ll feel more connected to the ballet world and your child’s passion for dance.
At NorthPointe Dance Academy, we encourage families to be actively involved in their dancer’s journey. If you have any questions about ballet terminology or would like to learn more about our classes, we’re here to help. Let’s continue supporting our young dancers together!
