Despite the many advances society has made in terms of gender equality, there is still a perception among many parents that dance is only for girls. Most studios offer a range of options in addition to ballet, including tumbling and hip hop dance classes, but no type of dance is limited to just boys or girls. Here are a few of the ways in which all young children can benefit from learning the art of dance.

What Kinds of Benefits Do Kids Get From Dance?

Physical

Anyone who takes a dance class, regardless of gender, can benefit from the physical aspects. Dance helps improve strength, flexibility, and agility, while also building physical fitness. Hip hop dance classes, for example, require high energy and provide an intense workout for all participants. Athletics of any type support the development of motor skills, but dance classes in particular support better motor control and help them develop balance, coordination, and awareness of the space around them.

Psychological

Learning to dance requires concentration and mental discipline—skills that are beneficial for both boys and girls. Mastering a routine in a hip hop dance class, for example, requires focusing on the teacher to learn the proper techniques and then practicing them to produce the moves from memory and without injury. 

However, dance also provides boys with an outlet for creative expression, which isn't always encouraged among males. A dance studio is a safe place for a boy to express himself without words and process his emotions in a healthy way. Boys who take dance classes can also develop leadership skills and a strong sense of self.

Social

Being a part of a dance studio creates social opportunities, and boys can meet other dancers of both sexes and build friendships based on a common interest. Because dance classes are comprised of boys and girls, boys can learn how to have positive interactions and relationships with girls, which can benefit them throughout their lives. Above all, dancing is fun, and the skills learned in a dance class can be put to use on the dance floor at any event.

If your son is interested in dance classes, check out Movements in Motion in Havertown, PA. This dance studio is staffed by professionally trained dance instructors and offers classes for children and adults of all ages. Their classes include jazz, tap, lyrical ballet, hip hop, and more, and they are a trusted member of the International Dance Entrepreneurs Association. Call (610) 853-1468 to inquire about enrollment, and visit the website to learn more and see a schedule of classes.