Part of ensuring a diverse, fulfilling childhood for your little one is providing access to exciting extracurricular activities. That's why many parents turn to dance classes, which are fun and physically engaging and bolster child development. Here are some benefits of dance for children.

How Dance Classes Help Child Development

1. Improves Sensory Awareness

Dance is a full-body experience. It requires a keen sense of sound, sight, and touch. Your child's sensory awareness will vastly improve after a few classes. From paying attention to beats and cadences in different songs to watching their teacher demonstrate moves and feeling the weight of their body on the floor, they'll fully engage each of their senses while dancing. 

2. Develops Social Skills

Dance classes are full of other children, which means your little one will have ample opportunity to make friends and develop social skills. They'll learn how to work together with their classmates to perfect a piece of choreography, as well as discover the joy of camaraderie when the whole class prepares for an important recital. 

3. Teaches Respect

During each lesson, your child will need to respect both their classmates and their instructor if they want to be successful. This might mean listening to instructions and avoiding interrupting others so they can better understand a new piece of choreography. This might also mean respecting other people's personal space to avoid getting hurt while practicing. 

4. Boosts Self-Confidence

Dance is all about letting loose and expressing yourself. Your child will develop a healthy sense of self and a strong sense of confidence when they're encouraged to be creative and move in a way that feels natural to them. 

They'll also develop confidence through persistent practice and skill building. Although they may not perfect a new move the first time they try it, they'll learn that hard work and effort pay off when they finally master a complex piece of choreography. This will teach them that as long as they stick with something and don't give up, they're capable of succeeding. 

If you're interested in signing your kids up for dance classes, talk to the team at Bender Performing Arts in Phoenix, AZ. For almost 50 years, this local studio has offered lessons of all types to students of all skill levels. Whether you want to enroll your child in ballet, tap, jazz, or hip-hop, they're sure to have a class your little one will love. Learn more about their classes on the website, and call (602) 971-9170 with questions.