Why Kids Should Dance

  Children's bodies and minds grow and change rapidly. Physical and intellectual training helps to coordinate this growth. What better why to combine physical and mental training than ballroom dancing? It also encourages interest in movement and exercise in general.

  The benefits for children who attend dance classes are many. They learn such skills as listening carefully and not talking while an instructor is teaching. They learn to be part of a group and take turns. Counting the time, moving to a beat, musicality and using their imagination also take shape as they go through classes. They learn to respect others and work together to accomplish the goals of the class. Dance students learn expression of feeling and emotions in an artful, socially acceptable manner. They become familiar with their own bodies and learn that physical contact with the opposite sex is acceptable when conducted in an appropriate manner.

  Intellectually and socially children grow from dancing as there are often students from different cultures and ethnicity involved. They learn from interaction with other students, teachers and the team effort of dancing as a couple and part of a class.

  Physically; flexibility, co-ordination, cardiovascular and general fitness are improved. Dance lessons are also a team-building and confidence-enhancing activity.

  Special needs children also benefit from dancing. At the Children's Hospital in Boston a dance class was instituted for children suffering from Downs Syndrome. The program produced children who lost weight, decreased body mass and physical coordination. The children also became more socially adept and self-confident.

  Studies have shown that young children learn more effectively through repetition. Dancing provides repetition of movements. As students progress more movements and increased difficulty of movements occurs. This allows the student to learn in a progressive and structured manner.

  Growing up in our current society can be challenging for children. The pre-adolescence and adolescence bring social, education and physical challenges. Dance instructors serve as positive role models in a student's life. Spending hours with students helps shape their personalities and identities. A good dance teacher helps students with more that just dance steps and techniques. Students learn to accept constructive criticism from teachers; other dancers and judges should they go on to compete. They learn to build relationships with peers, adults and those of different ethnicities and cultures.

  At Dance Fever teaching is a vocation. Our teachers have studied with the best coaches and trainers from around the world. Dance Fever teachers are imaginative, creative and dedicated to their students. Our teachers are always in control of their classes and strive to bring out the best from their students.

  At Dance Fever, the largest children's studio in the United States our successful students and programs speak for themselves.

                                Dr. Wellesley Needham Newton.