Knowing proper terminology is a key principle of my teaching philosophy, and you can never start too early! For even my preschool ballet classes, I expect them to know certain terminology by the end of the year.
Although they are young, they are capable of understanding the definitions with enough repetition and explanation. So avoid using improper terms like “side skips” instead of the correct phrase, “chasse.”
Here is a list of ballet terms and their definitions for teachers to use in classes for 3-5 year old dancers:
| Ballet Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Plié | To bend |
| Demi | half |
| Tendu | to stretch |
| Pique | to prick |
| Degage | to disengage |
| Relevé | to rise (from a plie) |
| Eschappe | to escape |
| Passé | to pass (through retire) |
| Port de Bras | Carriage / movement of the arms |
| Arabesque | body position in which the weight of the body is supported on one leg, while the other leg is extended in back with the knee straight. |
| Chasse | to chase |
| Changement | to change |
| Sauté | to jump/spring from 2 legs |
| Jete | to brush |
| Petit | small |
| Glissade | to glide |
| Tomber | to fall |
