By Stacy DeBroff 

You may be overjoyed watching your child in his or her dance recital, but all that practice can take its toll on a young child's body. Here are a few things to look for in your child to prevent injury.

SAFETY CONCERNS & INJURIES

• Injuries can occur in dance, but usually from misalignments, and muscle strains are common.

• Even with the best training, accidents can happen and overuse can injure fragile joints like the knee or ankle.

• When your child goes en pointe in ballet, she may develop curled toes, ingrown toenails, and corns called “hammer toes.” Use padding to relieve pressure. If problems persist, contact your doctor to see if the corns need to be removed.

• Similar to other physical activities where body size and slimness is an issue, body image can be a concern in dance particularly for girls.

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