My son just started Ballroom this year he is 6. He has been dancing in classes since age of 4. Several pro dancers/instructors have told me he dances beyond his years & learns so fast it's incredible. He dances in the grocery store,on the playground, all the time. He just loves to dance. When he was 2 years old in diapers, he would be dancing "The Old Bamboo", from Chitty,Chitty,Bang Bang, 6 or 7 times through, then switch over to "Step in Time", from Mary Poppins. He watches old dance movies for music and dances he'd like to do in his next performance. We just watched the Dance World finals last night from Aus. and he loved the idea of competition. Is there any advice or tips from other dancers or dance moms out there? I'd like to know if any of you dancers had such a love for dance at this young age? He has no interest in baseball, or soccer, just dance. I am very proud of him. How old are ballroom dancers when they begin competition? He asked me this morning, and I have no idea. But I would worry about the pressure it must be for young dancers.

That's awesome that he has a passion for dancing. About the pressure- just let him go as far as he wants and don't add extra pressure/become a "stage mom". Whatever he does with dancing needs to come from his love for it. Support him, keep things in perspective, etc. I've heard of dancers competing when they are that young. Is he taking lessons?

Yes, has been in lessons since 4. He dances 4 days a week, everday if he had his way, but I think he needs a break. Ballroom (1/2 hour), Jazz, Tap (private 1/2 hour), Folklorico, Ballet, Hula with 10 min Tahitian at the end of class. He wants to stay at the studio till it closes, and I have to tell him come on we have to go home! His grandmother was a dancer as were his aunts and uncle. I would never push him to do more than he wanted,I'm the one who has to say No- you cannot sign up for any more classes. Thanks for your opinion, I do apprieciate it.

Wow! Yeah- make sure he doesn't burn out. If ballroom is his passion find a good coach that specializes in ballroom and who is good with kids. Then you can look into finding him a partner. Where do you live?

Here are some young kids dancing/competing for inspiration Also, watch the Ohio Star Ball on PBS on Wednesdays at 8pm for more youth showcases:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTizVlMdNjM the boy started when he was 7 years old

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ToVM17w8vIA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Szuc7eM1co

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laPaQe0o_h4

Enjoy!

Yes, he dances with a sweet girl he started dancing with @ his first studio. It's so cute, they seem to have an unspoken language of their own, even at their young ages! We (moms) just really noticed this about a month ago. At first in the fall, they would look at their feet alot, but we see now, they give each other looks in such a way, I can't explain it, I'm not a dancer, but I'm sure you know what I mean. They seem to be comfortable dancing with each other & now, they no longer look at the floor, but at each other. They are always smiling at each other & can't wait for ballroom day. At this past Christmas party, I was looking around for our kids, who were not with the other kids watching the Nutcracker, my son and his partner were in the corner of the dance floor practicing turns on their own time. They are in every dance class together with the exception of tap. We are thinking of after the show, letting Hula or Jazz go in exchange for more ballroom, since that is the dance they seem to enjoy the most. Thanks for the pages. I'll check 'em out. We live in the so-cal area.

I've heard the So-cal area is great for ballroom! I live in Florida so I can't give specifics, but e-mail me at hurricanebenefit@hotmail.com and I'll give you some more sites. Ballroom is very different from the other styles of dance, so a studio/coach that is ballroom specific is important. And that's great that he already has a partner! You should talk things over with the girl's parents as well.