Barrington Dance Academy - Dance for Young Children

Dance comes in many forms, not all of them appropriate for your children. The kind of dance which is most appropriate for young children is often referred to as creative dance or creative movement. It is an art form that is based on natural movement. This type of dance refers not to just the body movement but to an inside awareness of movement. Pre-school children often describe the difference between dance and regular movement by saying, "Dance is magic". Creative movement is concerned with sensory awareness of movement and deep involvement with the experience.

There are many wonderful benefits for a child who is offered the experience of a weekly involvement in a creative movement class. It helps young children to develop body awareness. The body is the first self that we know. Body awareness is important in the development of social orientation; children who do not perceive the space of their own bodies may frequently misjudge distances, bump into things, or otherwise seem to lack coordination. With greater awareness of his or her body, the child also becomes capable of greater overall self-control. Self-control is enhanced by the capability to concentrate and focus. Once children learn what focusing feels like in dance, this may become a frame of reference for other activities.

The learning climate in the classroom is affected by the degree to which children are aware and respectful of each other. Experiences in dance can help children respect each others working space and encourages cooperation within a group.

Cognitive learning is also stimulated by the dance experience. Movement and sensory awareness are the primary ways children learn about themselves and their world. The important link between movement and cognitive development is a major by-product of dance as it provides an opportunity to take the movement children see in the world and try it on themselves.

As children learn more and develop new skills, their self-esteem tends to increase. Having good control of their bodies and being given the opportunity for self-expression all help a child to like himself. The positive effect is helpful to all learning.

Finally, dance education may have other contributions to make in helping solve difficult problems that exist for our children. It will surely help them to be more aware of themselves, sensitive to others, and actively conscience of the world we share. Of course, these worthy attributes are further enhanced by the fact that all this learning takes place while experiencing the sheer joy of dance.