Aside from being very fun to do, dancing has many physical, emotional and social benefits - for children and adults alike. Dancing teaches skills and develops abilities that extend far beyond the class. Here are a few of the many reasons to learn to dance.
LEARN to dance
Self control and cooperation.
Sharing space in a dance class is good for the development of physical control and cooperation. Children learn to follow directions, control their body parts and work with others. They will also get valuable experience concentrating and controlling impulses.
Increased self-confidence and self-esteem.
Dance is a highly social activity. Studies show that strong social ties contribute to increased self-esteem. A supportive dance class is a community of appreciation and positive encouragement. Performing - such as on stage at a recital - contributes to a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Pumped-up brain power.
Dance requires memorization. Children learn movement patterns as readily as they learn language. And when adults learn new things - like dance steps - they create new brain patterns and fend off dementia!
Awareness of diverse cultures.
Dance is a basic form of cultural expression. All cultures organize rhythmic movement to music in their own unique way. By learning different dances, we get a peek into - and an appreciation for - other cultures.
Strength and endurance.
Dance builds strength by forcing muscles to resist against a dancer's own body weight. Dancing also increases cardiovascular endurance - which is the ability of the heart and lungs to work hard for increasingly longer periods of time without fatigue - which contributes to good health and a long life.
Improved flexibility.
Most forms of dance improve range of motion. Flexibility is key to maintaining mobility in your joints and muscles and can help prevent injuries and falls by improving balance, which becomes increasingly important with age.
Stress relief.
Everyone experiences stress (yes, even children!). Dance is a scientifically proven way to relieve stress, by allowing us to "get out of our heads" and connect to our bodies. The sense of physical freedom paired with the presence of enjoyable music releases endorphins, the brain's feel-good neurotransmitters, which can improve mood and even help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression.