Dance classes for kids and why they rock!

Toe Tapping Toddlers

Even as a baby, your child may start to show their appreciation for music naturally by moving along to it. Music teaches sounds, words, and patterns to young children, and is an aid to their growth and development of its own accord.

Allowing your toddler to move along with music only increases the bounty of benefits. For one thing, allowing them to experiment with their bodies develops motor skills such as balance and coordination. Additionally, our child’s instinct to groove with the rhythm of their favorite songs is rooted in self-expression. It’s important to give toddlers, who are not yet skilled with words, a way to express their emotions non-verbally. It also gives them an alternative outlet for expressing negative feelings. If you encourage your child to express themselves through movement, you may find them doing their “unhappy dance” instead of throwing a tantrum when they are upset!

 

Physical Benefits of Dance for Children

A study on elementary-school-aged children in Sao Paolo found significant motor development improvement in students in student who were given one-hour dance lessons twice a week, compared to control groups. Children who participate in dance activities are more likely to develop advanced balance and coordination skills at a young age. Dance, like all regular physical activity, can also lower your child’s risk for obesity, boost their cardiovascular health, and help them maintain healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels. These foundations for a healthy lifestyle can’t be understated!

 

Can Dance Improve my Child’s Social Skills?

As much as dance provides a non-verbal communication outlet for toddlers, it is equally beneficial to the communication skills of older children. Part of a child’s social education is the ability to express themselves through body language and pick up on the body language of others. Continuing practice of a non-verbal communication medium, like dance, can put your child in a mindset to receive non-verbal communications and social cues from those around them. Awareness of their own body language helps them communicate more effectively with both peers and authority.

Furthermore, your child will likely gain self-esteem and confidence from learning what their body is capable of, and from setting and achieving goals to stretch their capabilities. A survey conducted by a UK-based children’s performing arts provider revealed that parents reported increased confidence in their little ones, ages 5-7, on being enrolled in a dance class.

 

Effects of Dance on Kids’ Mental Development

Aside from its physical benefits, dancing offers a host of cognitive and mental benefits for your child. A large part of practicing any style of dance is learning sequences of steps or movements. These sequences challenge young brains to work quickly and coordinate the mind and body. Studies have shown that dance is good for your brain, at any age, and may help to keep the brain from aging, in the long run! If you start your little one dancing now, they may adopt the practice throughout their life and go on to be at a lower risk for stroke or Parkinson’s when they reach adulthood!

To reap the myriad benefits of dancing, consider signing your child up for an age-appropriate dance program! As always, consult with your physician on whether your child is ready to join a dance activity program.