With the number of arts programs shrinking in the mainstream schools Parents are looking for quality performing opportunities for their children.
There are obvious benefits of studying dance, less weight gain, an enjoyable source of exercise, healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, as well as helping maintain a balanced lifestyle. There is scientifically-substantial evidence that children who engage in performing arts spend less time sitting in front of a screen and playing games, and are at less of a risk of developing health problems. Children who spend more than 2 hours a day on screen-related entertainment are at a high chance of developing health problems, such as obesity.
Physical health benefits of dance for Young Children
The heart is in better shape and the lungs
More muscular strength endurance, aerobic fitness and endurance
Greater coordination
More agility
Better flexibility
Healthy blood pressure
A better balance overall
Improved spatial awareness
Non-physical Health Benefits associated with Dance to Young Children
Physical confidence has increased overall
Improvement in general and psychological well-being
More self-confidence
Greater self-esteem
Motivation to self-motivate is greater.
Improved mental dexterity
Better social skills.
Does dance help my child’s creativity and improve their wellbeing?
Although dance can be a wonderful source of fun exercise for children in the early years, it is also a creative outlet. It is a great exercise for kids, but the chance to express creativity is just as crucial as exercise and consuming a healthy diet in the development of healthy children, because of how much life lessons they will learn. Dancing may help someone feel energized and refreshed, and also improve their mood, tackling major issues like depression and anxiety1, it is not only for adults. Dancing in groups is a way to relieve stress and tension while also providing a respite from everyday concerns and a way to release emotions and imagination.
Do dance classes offer physical advantages on my child?
There are physical benefits of participating in dance classes when you are a kid. Through dance, kids develop more flexibility in their movement while also gaining the ability to operate in different settings. They learn to interpret the effect their movement has on the environment around them. Dancing can also help improve a child’s co-ordination, especially during the time they are rapidly developing in an ever-changing and evolving world. Coordination is essential in the development of skills that are learned in other parts of life, for example, getting a bike and figuring out how to multitask successfully. Dance and movement patterns also aid in the development of kinaesthetic memory. Additionally, it builds the strength and endurance of children from an early age. This helps create a strong foundation for the child’s physical development as well as level of fitness.
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Dance and strong, healthy muscles
The average human has 642 muscles in their body. Young children are naturally active, however dancing utilizes more of these muscles and consequently, develops the muscles of their bodies fully. As they learn about movement children are more aware of their bodies and the things they are able to do. They gain a better understanding of the things that each limb and muscle is capable of, and also build up the courage to experiment with movement and to push themselves to see what they can do by using their bodies. The feeling of being adventurous is an essential life skill for children to develop and can apply in all aspects of their lives. It aids in the growth of a child’s confidence and bravery, and encourages them to search for new challenges to take on.
Can dance help with my child’s social development
Being able to interact with other people from an early age is a vital part of developing a child’s mental development. Being able to express emotions freely in front of other people shows mental maturity and learning to express emotion through dance and movement offers a safe gateway for young children to explore. Arts and performing activities can allow children to come from a variety of backgrounds and personalities, creating an environment that is different from the habitat a child is used to. Children are forced to learn to adapt and communicate in different ways. By navigating this new environment through creativity, children learn to build trust and efficient relationships.
Participating in an activity that is a part of a group for example, like learning a dance routine helps to promote the importance of teamwork and develops the ability to work successfully within a group. The process aids a child in learning the art of listening, patience and leadership abilities as they begin helping each other out with practicing and learning the steps. They also learn to accept the vulnerability and that it’s fine not to to do everything first time and that you should feel confident enough to request assistance, whether from your teacher or from the other student.
Self-confidence building
In the study of parents of children aged between 5-7 years old, it was found that, in the average eighty percent of the parents reported that their child’s confidence levels increased due to attending dancing classes. This study, we asked parents to explain why they chosen to take the children off to class in dance. The second most popular response was ‘that it will increase the confidence of my child’s. We went on to ask ‘What life skills do you think your child acquired through a dance class?’ The most well-liked answer was “improved confidence”. The feedback from this study confirms our belief that dancing can be a useful tool to use to build a child’s confidence. While the participants in the study did mention dancing as a reason to send their children to dance classes but the focus was more on developing interpersonal skills, primarily confidence. The other common answers when asked about life skills their child had accomplished were social interaction and ‘public speaking “improved communication skills” and ‘made friends’. It is a wonder what is possible through studying performing arts, and the positive impact the arts has on a child’s social development.
Communication through non-verbal means is two thirds in all communications. It is crucial for children to understand that it is possible to communicate messages in both a verbal and proper body language and to be able to discern these signals from other people. Learning about dance and movement can assist children develop an understanding of their own body language and that of the bodies of others. Although it’s fairly easy to express in a non-verbal way simple emotions like “happy” and “sad’, the study of dance could teach a child how to express physically more complex emotions , and also how to react and read someone else is physically emoting.
Perseverance and self-motivation
As children begin to learn about dance, they are taught perseverance and self-motivation. Dance encourages children to try new things and try different methods of solving issues. It is essential in the development of a child’s personality that they learn the importance of trial-and-error , and if at first you don’t achieve your goals, then attempt again. The feeling of achievement and satisfaction they feel after they’ve mastered complex movements will inspire them to transfer this ambition to other areas of their lives.
Mental dexterity
The practice of repetition and rehearsal during dance improves mental dexterity. The practice of body movements and gestures assists children to absorb information better and increases their capacity to learn and retain information. There is a perceived view that is prevalent in dance classes that children must only take part in if they plan to perform on stage. The fact of the matter is that nothing could be farther from the reality. Dance classes are an excellent stepping stone for children who are showing early signs of a natural flair for performance. But, there is many benefits to being able to dance for a child who is not confident, is self-conscious, or shows no enthusiasm for performing. This is why we’re inclusive and not exclusive. We recognize the importance of performing arts to all children and it is our intention to spread this message. We provide a secure and safe environment within which young children can learn and develop, acquiring essential life skills and being confident risk takers.