Dancing has a hugely positive impact on children and young people. It can help children not only physically, through gaining strength and fitness, but it can also help children improve their intellectual and emotional capacity too!
Physical Impact
On the physical side, dance can help children with their strength, flexibility and posture. Studies show that some of the most successful athletes attribute at least some of their success to their time at the barré. Footballers such as Alan Shearer and atheletes such as Usain Bolt have all commended dance on it’s ability to improve their sporting ability.
Intellectual Impact
On the intellectual side, dance improves a child’s brain function through their thought process and through muscle memory. Dancers are excellent at learning and picking up things quickly because of how often they learn new steps and routines. The process of repeating steps until they’ve committed them to memory is a skill that dance brings and can be used in all aspects of life.
Dance also teaches children to be self-disciplined and self-motivated. Dancers grow accustomed to working towards a goal (such as a show) and it helps them to become aware that results never come overnight and don’t come without effort and practice.
Emotional Impact
The emotional side of dances tends to be children’s favorite part of dance. It can help a shy student find the courage to break out of their shell. It can help a 3-year-old with separation anxiety find a place where he is not scared. Dance is a place where children can find the courage and strength to freely express themselves.
And let’s not forget the confidence discovered by every student in dance. Every child who comes to a dance class isn’t the same, but to a teacher they are. It doesn’t matter what their current or past situation is or the fact they might be faced with a physical or mental challenge. When you come to dance class every child is given a chance to be themselves and express themselves creatively. To watch them step foot on stage and see what they have accomplished each year proves that!
Ann P. Kahn, the former president of The National PTA, once said:
“The creative arts are the measure and reflection of our civilization. They offer many children an opportunity to see life with a larger perspective…The moral values we treasure are reflected in the beauty and truth that is emotionally transmitted through the arts. The arts say something about us to future generations.”
To find out where our nearest N-Dance class is, please visit the ‘Find a Class’ page on our website!
