Cause And Effect Essay On Starting Pointe

Starting pointe too early can result in bad technique that the student will need to relearn later at best. At worst, the student could not only injure bones and/or joints, but would also put unnecessary stress on certain body parts. Bones that are not hard can be deformed when put under the pressure of pointe.
There isn’t usually any harm in waiting to begin on pointe; later starters nearly always catch up. When the student waits an extra year, her feet and ankles are stronger and she will be more mature. Even adults can go on pointe if they have enough strength and flexibility. The older you are, the tighter your muscles are, so it is easier when you are younger, although with training and stretching an adult might be able to reach a level at which they could then begin pointe-work.

There is no clear-cut age for starting pointe. The traditional rule is twelve years old, yet each individual is unique. While one girl may be ready at twelve, another may not be ready until fourteen, and still another may be ready at nine. When considering pointe, age is not the ultimate factor. Technique, strength, and attitude are more important factors.1
In addition, when the student is younger the bones in the foot have not fully solidified. Consequently, if the student were to try pointe, their feet would not be strong enough to hold their weight, and therefore might injure their bones. At age twelve the bone ossification is only about 75% complete. Around thirteen or fourteen the fusion has finished, although the bones will continue to harden until