• Improved Physical Health
• Socialization Benefits
• Educational Benefits
• Improved Self-Esteem

While sports are a good way to get your kids physically active, dance classes are a great alternative to team sports. Regular dance practice can increase your child’s flexibility, range of motion, physical strength and stamina. The repetitive movements involved in dance can improve muscle tone, correct poor posture, increase balance and coordination and improve overall cardiovascular health. Dance can help children improve their social and communication skills, learn how to work as part of a team, develop a greater sense of trust and cooperation and make new friends. Dance can also help to alleviate fears related to performing in front of an audience.

Becoming a skilled dancer requires practice, discipline and focus, skills that can be useful in other areas of your child’s life. Dance helps develop creativity and an appreciation for the arts. Students who regularly participate in dance lessons typically tend to perform better academically than their nonparticipating peers. “FamilyTalk Magazine” estimates that students who have a background in dance tend to achieve significantly higher SAT scores and do better in math and science competitions.

As children begin to get a better sense of their bodies, they become more comfortable in their own skin, their confidence and self-esteem also improve. According to EduDance, dance lessons can encourage children to foster a more positive attitude and explore their own self-expression. This can be particularly beneficial for children who are physically or mentally impaired or those who are attempting to deal with significant emotional problems.