Dance is a form of communication and therefore an effective
medium for therapy. The powerful use of body movements improves the
emotional, physical, cognitive and social integration for dancers. Both
children and adults can take dance lessons to learn how to perform
various dance steps.
Dance classes for kids are great because they
can be kept occupied after school. These classes offer many benefits
such as improving self discipline, coordination, self confidence, self
development as well as helping them to socialize. Children who are
introduced to dance at an early age are able to develop a passion for
rhythm and movement and a love for the arts.
Very young children
such as toddlers and preschoolers can start out with creative movement
classes. If your child is four or five years old, consider his or her
maturity and personality before enrolling him or her into class. You
should not force a shy child to take dance classes if he or she feels
uncomfortable about taking them since this may discourage him or her
from dancing altogether.
There are many dance genres to choose
from and you should find out the genre that fits your child best. Ask
your child which dancing style he or she would like to learn. Some of
the dance genres that your child can learn include ballet, tap dancing,
jazz or funk, hip hop, break dancing, ballroom dancing, folk dancing,
lyrical and calisthenics among others.
When deciding which class
your child should take, you should also consider the qualifications of
the instructors and other factors like safety, travelling time and the
available facilities at the dance training venue. You should also
consider the cost of the classes, including accessories and costumes
your child will have to purchase.
Dance therapy allows dancers to
appreciate their bodies as a whole. According to studies, muscle tension
often causes emotional and physiological ailments. Dance helps release
tension through movement. If you have never danced before, you may find
it difficult at the beginning. Dance therapy allows you to dance well
without feeling pressurized to achieve flexibility. It offers many
benefits including reducing anxiety and contributing to creativity and
continuous physical development.
Children who struggle with
conditions such as autism and others that affect communication skills
can also benefit from dance therapy. The combination of music and dance
helps the brain reorganize itself. Dance requires a number of
stimulations including music processing, hearing and performing various
movements. The repetition involved in learning dance and music enables
the brain of a child to create new pathways. Children suffering from
autism usually have problems with social interaction but when they
engage in dance, they are able to mirror the experience of others and
receive the satisfaction one gets from belonging to a group.
Hip hop
is an energetic and popular form of dancing. It refers to the social or
choreographed dance styles that people mainly dance to hip hop music or
those that have developed as a part of the hip hop culture. This dance
genre includes many dancing styles that were developed by Latino and
African Americans in the 1970s. In order to master hip hop dance steps,
it is essential for dancers to engage in lot of practice. The lessons
covered in hip hop are designed to be a source of self improvement and
entertainment.
Korean pop or K-pop in short is an up and coming
musical style in South Korea. Its popularity is spreading to other
regions of the world such as Turkey, Mexico, Northeast India and South
America. The popularity of the K-pop music genre significantly increased
after Psy, a South Korean musician released a single known as 'Gangnam
Style'. K-pop lessons are fun and they are an excellent means of working
your cardiovascular system and busting stress.
Children who have
learning disabilities can benefit a lot from taking dance classes. For
one, these classes allow them to have a sense of belonging. Enrolling in
dance lessons also gives these children the opportunity to interact
with others and helps them improve their focus as well as their reading
and interaction skills.
Dancing gives an outlet for kids with
development problems to express their feelings. The classes also play an
important role in helping them heal because they are a non-verbal form
of communication and therapy between children and their instructors.
Some of the benefits that children with developmental problems like
those associated with down syndrome gain from dancing include improved
hearing, improved execution, improved concentration, enhanced
processing, improvement in memory and speech and enhanced fine motor
skills. After participating in dance classes, children with special
needs can gain confidence and join normal children in dancing.
