We have a friend (age 9) just diagnosed with Sever's Disease (also see here, here, and here). This disease is easily preventable with a little common sense (e.g., stretching before dance). Unfortunately, our friend was not taught how to prevent it by her ballet instructors, at least one of whom is formally trained in dance education. Not only was our friend not taught to stretch before dancing, but she was not given the time to do so--certainly never in class, say, as a part of barre work. Now our friend is in excruciating pain for several weeks--assuming she stays off her feet during this time. I share this so others may hopefully avoid such dance studios who do not take the simple precautions necessary to prevent Sever's Disease (or worse).

As we understand from those in the know, this particular studio is in the habit of never teaching, demonstrating, or practicing stretching. The teachers have no excuse for this [potentially criminal] negligence. I don't think I'll share the name of the studio or teachers whose inexcusable negligence caused this girl to get Sever's. I want to--I'm quite angry about it--but I want to cool off before I choose to do something possibly ethically questionable. (No, we don't go to this studio, but we have many friends who do.)