babyballet launches free online ballet classes for all children under six

One of the Kent's most popular classes for preschoolers is opening its lessons to all children during lockdown.

Up until now babyballet's online groups have only been accessible to children attending regular classes in the county. But with restrictions set to continue and families finding it increasingly difficult to keep youngsters amused and active at home, the dance brand has launched free online classes and educational resources for all children up to six-years-old.

Jessica Lilley, is owner of babyballet Dartford, Bexley, Bromley.

She said: “Each week will cover a different theme such as ‘animal adventure’ and ‘celebrating people who help’. There will be a 10 minute activity session at 10am every weekday for the next eight weeks, as well as a boogie time, a sing-along and a story time at different times during the week.”

The sessions have been carefully developed, like all babyballet classes, to run in-line with a range of government educational frameworks including the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

As well as being open to parents the sessions are also available to nurseries and pre-schools which remain open during the lockdown and schools taking care of the children of keyworkers.

Hannah Harris, from babyballet Deal and Dover, explained: “The 10 minute sessions aim to provide a resource, in line with national learning objectives, for nursery practitioners and teachers, as well as parents and carers who are home schooling."

Claire O’Connor, CEO of babyballet, said she hoped the change would help more parents keep children active and learning through play whilst they remain indoors.

“We are doing this because we want to help. Over the past 15 years, babyballet has created classes, resources and content, which up until now have only been enjoyed by children attending our classes, but due to the challenge of the situation we find ourselves in, it is time to share it for free to help keep the nation's young children active, having fun and learning through lockdown.

“We have an overwhelming sense of responsibility to help the nation as much as we possibly can by sharing these resources with every child in the UK via parents and carers, nurseries, pre-schools and schools.”

Along with the online sessions there are fun activities and colouring sheets available to download as well as an information sheets for parents and teachers to explain the learning objectives being covered each week.

To sign up for the free sessions during lockdown visit babyballet.co.uk/free-lockdown-programme-registration

For more family-related news and suggestions of things to do with the children during lockdown visit www.mykentfamily.co.uk