Whether it is simply for fun, exercise, interaction with peers, or a love of performance, dance classes provide a space where children engage in learning concepts that extend beyond physical education and development. The mental, social and emotional benefits of dancing have immediate value for your child and create a lasting impact throughout their lifetime. Let’s dive into the dance class experience and explore the deeper concepts at play in the studio.

Early childhood development skills

The linkage between dance activity and early childhood development is a topic abundant with research. Dance lessons hone fine motor and gross motor skills through axial, locomotor, balance and coordination focused exercises. Classes emphasize recognizing rhythmic patterns, improving body and spatial awareness, while also aiding in cognitive development. Movement activities have been linked to children exhibiting healthier coping skills, improved memory and attention span, and better self-regulation of their emotions. Dance allows students to expend energy through movement in a focused way. As an activity that caters to all seven learning modalities in different capacities, dance is a highly valuable activity for any child, regardless of experience or ability.

Long lasting life skills

Every class weaves within its framework essential life skills that help prepare dancers for their future, whether dance remains a part of it or not. Maintaining a strong work ethic, learning goal setting and accountability, appreciating delayed gratification, and practicing teamwork are some of these greater concepts that transfer to many other facets of life. Dancers learn to implement self-discipline as they work toward personal and team goals, and they gain confidence as they improve and achieve results over time. Crucial social skills like making compromises, empathizing, taking turns, resolving conflict, sportsmanship and encouraging others are continuous themes within group dance lessons. Dancing has also been proven to help aid in memory as we age!

Artistic concepts

Dance classes require students to engage their creativity and critical thinking skills throughout their training. Dancers are encouraged to refine and mature the expression and artistry of their technique through performance inside the studio and on the stage. Exploring nuance, attentiveness to detail, refining quality of movement, developing improvisational skills and improving stage presence drive the artistic components of dance. Dance class is the place where body awareness, spatial awareness, and an awareness of others in relation to oneself all intertwine in a community environment.

How to get your child involved

Looking for new educational opportunities for your child? It’s not too late to sign up your student for classes. We offer dance classes for all ages, and competitive dance opportunities beginning at five years of age. Give us a call or stop by in person to see our facility and ask any questions you have!