HOW DANCE CAN HELP YOUR LITTLE ONE SPREAD THEIR WINGS
Dancing is an exhilarating expression of pure joy and for those of us who have had the chance to experience this, we know the impact it can have. Mentally, when you dance there is a sense of clarity and freedom and physically you feel energised and strong. Some children are shy, others more confident, however dance allows all different children to come together and work towards a common goal. It provides a safe environment for children to express themselves mentally and physically.
RELEASE THOSE ENDORPHINS
Dancing is extremely physical and like any physical activity releases those good hormones and endorphins. When children dance they feel good; listening to the music and being so physically active can help to distance them from stressful thoughts, anxiety and encourages positive expression. We constantly see little dancers walking out of class laughing and smiling and filled with joy, feeling miles better then when they may have walked in.
STAND TALL
If you have ever taken a dance class there is no doubt you have heard the words ‘pull up your back’ or ‘fix your posture’. However this does not only encourage technical development in terms of ballet. Good posture evokes confidence and allows children to feel strong and walk around with their head held high. Nowadays , teachers use imagery to convey how it should feel to have good posture and stand tall, increasing not only students’ confidence but also their sense of imagination.
ACCOMPLISHMENT
Dance gives children a sense of accomplishment and self satisfaction by giving them goals to achieve. Whether this be weekly smaller goals set by the teacher, or more long term goals such as a concert or dance exam. Having something to work towards and achieving it boosts confidence greatly. This is evident just by the looks on their faces when they get an exam mark back, when they perform on stage or simply when they learn something new in class.
FRIENDSHIPS
Dance classes foster social interaction between children, giving them the opportunity to work together and bond over shared interests. The smaller more intimate class setting opposed to school, gives children a chance to find their voice and feel more comfortable communicating. As teachers, we facilitate respectful, meaningful and positive conversation between the class, creating an environment where children celebrate each other’s success, whilst finding their own voice.
CONFI-DANCE
As dancers and teachers, we understand just how important it is to empower and help lift up young people. Whether they be 2 or 21, creating an environment where children feel safe, included and free to express themselves mentally and physically remains at the forefront of our teaching philosophy. We want every child to come out of their dance experience a more confident, happy and self assured person.