We all need some form of physical activity to stay healthy and live long, and that applies for the little ones too. Exercise is actually more important for children since their bodies are still developing, and physical activity helps their bodies grow and develop the right way. One of the best ways for children to stay physically active is dancing. Dance helps your children stay fit and at the same time, it improves their flexibility and range of motion.
The benefits of dancing for children are innumerable. It’s also quite obvious that arts provisioning in mainstream schools is shrinking, and as a parent, you may be wondering if dance classes are the next logical step for your child. Today, we help you clear the doubt. In this article, we explore the benefits of dancing and how this fun and exciting activity can keep your child focused in school and improve his or her performance. But first, how do you know if dancing is a good activity for your kid?
How to Tell If Dancing Is a Good Activity for Your Child
To reap all the benefits — beyond physical exercise — of dancing, your child has to find dancing, as an activity, fun and exciting. So, how can you tell if your kid’s into dancing? Well, if your child is old enough to know and express clearly what he/she likes, you can just ask. If the child isn’t sure, try sending him/her to a summer dance camp for week or two. It’s a great way for you and the child to figure out if dance classes are a welcome addition to their regular routine.
For younger children, there are a few ways to tell if a kid can benefit from dance lessons. For instance, does the child enjoy watching people dance on TV? Is the child always dancing around in the house? Or maybe your kid has expressed interest in dance lessons, directly or indirectly? And if so, enrolling him/her for a dance class is a good idea. Don’t worry about their age or size; most instructors will happily enroll children as young as 3 years old.
The Benefits of Dance Lessons for Kids
As we said earlier, dancing has a lot of benefits for children. For starters, dancing will help your child maintain a balanced lifestyle and it’s a fun source of exercise. But that’s not all, dancing can keep your child focused in school and improve academic performance. According to a study conducted by the Arts Education Partnership (AEP), children who participate in dancing and other performance arts show an improvement in reading comprehension, speaking, and writing skills. Here are some of the ways in which dance can help your child at school.
Dance Improves Behavioral Issues
Behavioral issues, such as hyperactivity can have a negative impact on a child’s focus and academic performance. Dance is a skill that requires discipline, focus, and coordination. It’s one of the most effective ways of releasing pent-up energy. Dancing tends to have a calming effect on a child thus helping improve behavioral issues. The child learns to put in the same focus, discipline, and dedication they put in during dance class at school, which, in turn, leads to better academic performance.
Dancing Encourages Socialization
Dance class is a good place to make friends and help the child improve his or her social skills. With every dance class, your child learns how to improve his or her social and communication skills. The child also learns how to cooperate with others, work together as a team, and freely express himself/herself. These social and communication skills are transferred to the classroom. When a child can express himself/herself clearly, ask the right questions, and cooperate with other students in the class, his/her academic performance will improve dramatically.
Dancing Boosts Self-Esteem
Low self-esteem can affect the life of a child in many ways. For instance, low self-esteem often leads to poor academic performance in children. Physical activities such as dancing help a child understand how his/her body moves, which helps them become more comfortable in their own skin. It takes confidence and courage to dance in front of an audience. Therefore, dancing, in a way, help develop these important qualities — and a positive attitude. A child with confidence, courage, positive attitude, and high self-esteem will perform better at school.
Dancing Promotes Creativity
Dancing is a form of self-expression. Attending dance classes promotes creativity and helps a child learn to appreciate the arts. A child that starts exploring the world of dance at an early age will find a positive way to express him/herself and a positive outlet for his/her creativity. Dancing allows children to hone their creativity, which helps them know their fields of interest early in life. When a child knows what field of academics he/she wants to pursue, they are able to focus and perform better in school.
