The Benefits of Dance for Kids

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Hello and welcome back to the BU Dance Blog, Terriers! We hope you enjoyed the rest and relaxation of the long weekend. Today, we’re finally back – and we’re highlighting the benefits of dance for our littlest BU students: the kids who make up our Children’s Dance Program!

BU Dance is proud to offer classes for the tiniest of tots to the most advanced adolescents. Ranging from pre-ballet to aerial, the little ones in your life will never be bored at the BU Dance Program.

However, fun isn’t the only thing our Children’s Dance Program has going for it – did you know there are scientific benefits to signing your child (or sibling or niece/nephew or cousin) up for dance? Keep reading to check out how dance positively impacts childhood development – and don’t forget to check out our children’s dance offerings at http://www.bu.edu/fitrec/family-programs/dance-classes/ !

 

Dance helps children express themselves.

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If your child struggles with their speech, dance might be the secret language they have been waiting for. According to the British Council, movement helps children express their impulses and feelings in a healthy way, when speech might not be a viable alternative.

 

Dance teaches children discipline.

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As Ingrid Pramling Samuelsson points out, allowing children to freely express themselves is not the same as allowing them to do whatever they want. The dance teacher plays an important role in teaching children self-regulation of their body movements and behaviors. Especially in technical forms of dance – such as ballet – children learn to hone their discipline in dance class.

 

Dance prevents childhood obesity.

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Nowadays, childhood obesity has become an epidemic – and research suggests that dance could be the key to preventing it. Dance may be more effective than other forms of exercise in preventing obesity, chiefly because it’s something children naturally enjoy.

 

Dance develops children’s emotional intelligence.

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Dance class does not teach children to work in a bubble. By learning to speak the universal language of dance, children learn important social skills like communication. Studies even show that when dance classes were taught in Los Angeles schools, children became more accepting of each other in a diverse environment.

 

Finally, dance makes children smarter students.

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While children are learning important skills in dance class, they’re also learning to apply them to other areas of life, such as school. For example, child dancers have better spatial awareness and visual reasoning skills, which help them perform better on standardized tests. Dance class also helps students develop a strong work ethic, which is critical to getting good grades later in life.

 

Visit bu.edu/fitrec/family-programs/dance-classes to learn more and register for our children’s dance sessions!

One Comment

Eli Bradley posted on September 27, 2022 at 11:37 pm

It’s cool that you point out that dancing offers a great way for kids to exercise. I want to make sure that my daughter stays physically healthy, so I’m thinking about enrolling her in a dance class this year. I’m going to search for a good dance class in the area that she can attend.

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