Dance has long been a favorite extracurricular activity for kids of all ages. After all, moving in response to music is natural—even babies love to bounce and wiggle when they hear their favorite songs. However, dance classes offer many benefits beyond supporting children's enthusiasm for movement, as the guide below explains. 

What Makes Dance Classes So Valuable?

1. Healthy Movement 

Not only is dance a great form of exercise for all ages, but dance classes teach children how to move safely and develop healthy habits. Dancers learn to respect physical limits and set goals for improvement while also developing greater coordination, balance, and spatial awareness. They build strength and flexibility, skills that carry over into other physical activities, including sports. This hobby also has the benefit of helping them expend energy, which can help them be calmer at other times and can increase their chances of a restful night's sleep.

2. Confidence

As children master positions and movements, their confidence grows. Developing new skills can create an eagerness to keep learning, as well as a willingness to practice and work hard to achieve goals. Achievement encourages self-esteem, which can carry over into other areas of life.

3. Develop Creativity 

Children can express themselves creatively through dance. While ballet lessons provide a more rigid structure, jazz, hip-hop, and contemporary classes offer more opportunities to make moves their own. This can give the kids a safe and welcoming place to experiment with new ideas. 

4. Establish Social Skills

Many children make friends during dance class, as they work with partners and small groups. Dance also supports communication skills, as children learn to follow directions from their teachers and communicate with others both verbally and non-verbally. The opportunity to perform in a recital can also help some children manage shyness or social anxiety, which can come in handy later in life. 

If you're wondering if dance classes are right for your child, sign up for a free, no-obligation, free trial class at The Academy of Performing Arts in Oak Creek, WI. This local dance studio offers dance lessons in multiple genres, including jazz, contemporary, ballet, tap, and hip-hop, in a fun, friendly, and supportive environment. Learn more about class schedules by visiting their website, and call (414) 768-0101 to speak with a team member. Open enrollment and registration for the next season closes on February 15, 2022.