Teaching dance is far more than just training bodies to move in a particular pattern. While students of dance certainly learn self-discipline and persistence, they also gain a valuable education in social skills. Each time a student learns a move they thought difficult to master, they gain self-confidence. Confidence not only makes them a better performer, it helps in school, at home and in social settings.
When they practice with another student to help them work through a difficult series of steps, they learn a valuable lesson in relationships. Being able to handle relationships makes them a better member of the corps de ballet, chorus line or troupe. This lesson also carries over into every other aspect of their lives.
We focus on giving our young dancers a safe environment in which they can develop these skills. During our classes, we make sure to encourage all our students to learn, perform and interact with other students to the best of their own abilities. Learning dance should be challenging but never overwhelming.
Dance as Self-Expression
Dance is not only athletic, it’s also a form of creative expression. As they master the basics of dance, each young dancer learns to bring something unique to her performance. It is wonderful to watch children bloom as they realize they can add their own emotions and feelings to their performances. They may not realize that they are learning the true purpose of communication with every class and performance. This is another skill that will serve them well at home, with their friends or in their future careers.
Using Dance to Improve Children’s Relationships – an Example
In Puyallup, Washington, elementary school children who had never danced before were presented with a ten-week class that taught six ballroom dances – merengue, waltz, tango, foxtrot, rumba, and swing – plus the heel-toe polka, stomp and Cha-Cha Slide. School Principal Almai Malit-Idler noted that learning dance is a way for children to break down social barriers between girls and boys, build their self-confidence, teach them to work as a team and above all, learn to treat everyone with respect. At the end of the ten weeks, children who were scared and nervous at the start of the program performed not only for their classmates but also for their parents in an evening show.
You can read about their experience here.
Every child can benefit from becoming skilled at dance. We have trained hundreds of children in the St. Louis-Florissant area with this kind of well-rounded approach. If you feel your child is ready to gain in grace, confidence and skill, call DK Dance Productions to arrange for an introductory dance class at (314) 921-5800
