Have you ever heard of National Dance Day?

It is the brainchild of Nigel Lythgoe the man behind the hit T.V show ‘So You Think You Can Dance.’ It is on the last Saturday in July and was established in 2010.

The purpose: to promote the benefits of dance to the American people. Dance is a fun and positive way to promote health and wellbeing and even combat obesity.

Dance is an important part of our culture and history as human beings. Dance is universal and crosses national barriers.

As adults, we are learning so much about the extensive benefits of moving to music and how it affects us in a truly life-changing way. It is even recommended as part of treatment for depression which affects 300 million people worldwide.

Consider this, if these are the benefits to adults how can dance improve health, wellbeing and mental balance for younger people?

Dance classes for kids may just seem like fun but in this article, you will see that what your child does now can impact the kind of adult they will become in a big way.

Dance Classes for Kids – Physical Benefits

You have already read a little bit about the physical impact dance can have on adults. It can help control weight and improve balance.

In fact, in elderly people with balance disorders or even with a risk of falling, they can benefit from gentle dance routines. Here are some benefits of dance classes for kids.

Develop Physical Strength

Learning to dance is more than turning on the stereo and moving to the music. It is progressive and over time the dance routines incorporate more demanding movements. This requires physical strength.

As your child learns to dance they will develop strength in their body and muscles. The beauty of dance is that these movements are based on their own body weight and dimensions.

That means progression in strength is naturally developed. In fact, it can be helpful to think of dance as a form of calisthenics.

Develop Flexibility

How flexible are you?

It is true, depending on how active our lifestyle is and the nature of our work some adults are still very supple. Still, on the whole, it is fair to say that most people become less and less flexible with age.

When children learn to dance they learn basic skills in how to stretch and remain supple and flexible that you and I may never have learned as a child. So dance classes not only promote flexibility now but they educate so that children can remain flexible as they become adults and continue to age.

As your child gets older their choice in dance style and dance activities may change. For example, an interest in ballet could easily become cheer-leading. That is part of the fun.

Develop Good Balance

Your balance system is extremely complex. It is a motor-sensory skill that is learned from the moment your child starts to toddle.

Yet, few people fully realize that your balance system continues to learn depends on what you expose it too. Dance is an excellent stimulus for developing your motor-sensory coordination.

This can lead to benefits on other activities such as skiing, ice-skating, roller-blading, sports with hand-ball-coordination and so so much more.

Develop Good Posture

Good posture is another physical aspect of our bodies that is learned. Someone who is inactive and always on the couch will naturally slouch as that is what they have trained their body to do.

Dance, on the other hand, promoted good muscle control and good posture. It is interesting to read on the many benefits to your health that good posture provides.

For example, good posture is linked to lower levels of depression and improved confidence.

Develop Rhythm

Some people do not seem to have a sense of rhythm. While others, seem to have it naturally in bucket loads. Which of those two people are you? Which of those two people do you want to be?

Perhaps more importantly, which of those two people do you want your child to be?

Dance will help develop a sense of rhythm in your child that will serve them and maybe you too, for a lifetime.

Dance Classes for Kids – Psychological Benefits

There are clear psychological benefits for adults. Check out the psychological benefits for your child.

Develop Self-Esteem and Confidence

Some children do not need any help with confidence. They are already the best thing since sliced bread. Other children are completely the opposite. They are shy and withdrawn.

Dancing is an excellent vehicle that can help children to come out fo themselves and develop confidence in themselves through skills they are learning and showing in front of others.

Self-esteem and self-confidence are extremely important emotions that will empower your child as they grow and develop into adults.

Develop Self-Discipline

Children who learn to dance must exercise self-discipline. They must also learn to listen to others and follow instructions.

If they wish to progress, then they must develop self-control. These are powerful skills that will serve them for a lifetime.

Develop Team Working

Depending on the style of dance, there may be a need to work with others and perform as a group. This type of cooperating and team-working is excellent for your child in terms of their social development.

Develop Life Long Desire to Exercise

Children who follow an inactive lifestyle rarely become active adults who love to exercise. In contrast, children who are active when young often develop the desire to keep exercising. They enjoy the feel and benefit it gives them.

Combat Childhood Depression

Childhood depression is no joke. It is far more common than you may think and as your child ages it is more likely they could develop it. Dance can help to combat depression for all of the reasons you have read above.

By the time you have read this article, you will want to investigate dance classes for your kids.

You’ve Got to Move it Move it

If you didn’t have dance classes as a kid, I bet you wish you did now. The benefits of dance classes for kids is very clear. This article has reviewed a few of the benefit according to their physical or psychological nature.

If you want to get in touch please do so here.