Dancing can provide physical, emotional, and social benefits for children. In addition to helping them develop muscle strength and maintain a healthy weight, taking dance classes may allow them to express their feelings through movement and make new friends in the process. If you want your kids to enjoy these perks, you might wonder when to enroll them in lessons. Below, you'll learn more about the best ages to start dancing. 

Dancing for Fun

Dancing for fun is appropriate for kids of all ages, and young children often naturally begin to dance not long after they take their first steps. Technically, there is no minimum age requirement to start lessons, but since dance studios typically offer programs by age group, double-check to make sure your child is old enough for enrollment. Many academies allow students to start taking lessons as early as 18 months of age. Learning rudimentary poses and steps can help toddlers become more coordinated and develop their motor skills, which is why studios often suggest signing up your kids as early as possible. 

One of the best ways to determine whether your young one should start dance lessons is by observing their behavior and assessing their level of maturity. If they automatically start moving and bobbing their heads when they hear music, this often indicates that your child is ready and would enjoy taking classes. Additionally, if they have the ability to repeat simple movements, follow verbal instructions, and feel comfortable spending time away from you, these are signs of behavioral readiness for dance. 

Dancing More Seriously 

By the time a child reaches seven to nine years of age, they are usually more coordinated, have fully developed motor skills, and can pay attention in class without becoming easily distracted. At this age, kids can begin dancing more seriously, which might mean taking more advanced ballet, tap, or jazz classes and working toward performing in competitions. Children in this age bracket often have an increased interest in studying different styles and a greater desire to master more technically challenging choreography. 

However, it's still a good idea to enroll your kids in dance classes at an early age. This can allow them to get plenty of practice and build strong foundations that may give them a stronger ability to learn technically difficult poses, steps, and twirls as they progress into more advanced instruction. 

When your child is ready to start dancing, enroll them in Fusion Dance Solana Beach. This dance studio offers instruction in ballet, tap, and jazz along with hip-hop, lyrical, and acro lessons to students throughout Solana Beach, CA. Call (858) 369-0071 to sign up your kids for dance classes, and visit the website to learn more about their upcoming schedule of programs.