We see questions like this all the time – so thought we’d hop on the blog to answer a few of the most common ones 🙂 Of course, we’re biased – but the benefits of dance class for a young child go far beyond the dance techniques and skills introduced in class. We’ve seen dancers who may need a few weeks to warm up enough to separate from their parent and fully participate in dance class – some of our advanced, competitive dancers started out as shy and nervous-to-separate little ones!
What will my child learn in dance class?
- Listening and following detailed and specific directions
- Taking turns, waiting, and being ready for their turn
- Body awareness – where their body is, how it moves,
- Understanding of rhythm, motion, stillness, and energy
- Ability to control reactions and behaviors based on specific cues
- Teamwork
- Respect for others
- Appreciation for elders – dance teachers are a great non-family adult for children to look up to and learn from
- Visualization skills
- Commitment to follow through with a task – not quitting or giving up in the middle of a task or activity
- Exercise and physical activity can be fun!
- Courage to try new things on their own
- Confidence to do some things independently
- Positive body image
- Appreciation for differences in others
Is my child too young for dance class?
In short – no! Many dance programs have options for children as young as 18 months or 2 years old. At The Pointe, our youngest students are 18 months old. Every child is different, and every child’s dance experience will be different – but starting dance at a young age can have a huge positive influence on their life!
What are the physical benefits of dance class versus another activity?
Dance helps develop good posture, balance, poise, and self-awareness from a young age. It also strengthens both major and minor muscle groups so your child gets better and more well-rounded muscle development than participation in team sports. When children learn to enjoy a physical activity, they learn early on that working hard and exercising is a good and enjoyable thing!
Are there other benefits of participating in dance?
Yes! Children who take dance classes or participate in kinesthetic learning processes tend to do significantly better in school, pick up on complex concepts faster, have more patience during the learning process, and show more commitment and dedication to their area of study.
In dance class, young students often feel more like they are playing than practicing important physical and intellectual skills. You see your dancer grin from ear to ear and twirl about the studio – she is actively learning, and loving it!
Learn more about our children’s classes at The Pointe School of Dance here. We’re ready whenever your dancer is.