With so many extracurricular activities available for kiddos, sometimes the challenge is finding an activity that’s a good fit for your child. You may try out several different things before you find one that sticks. Dance is an activity where they can learn to express themselves through movement, which can be especially helpful for youngsters who are just learning how to communicate. Our daughter’s first experience with being cared for by anyone besides her family was in dance class, even before preschool. As a nervous first-time parent, the look of pure joy after her first class was what sealed the deal for us. The physical and mental benefits of enrolling your child in dance class are truly impressive, and I recently had the privilege of sitting down with one of our local dance teachers to discuss.
Abbie Soltis is a dance instructor at The Dance Center. She has been teaching for 16 years, and her students range in ages from 18 months to 18 years. I was happy to pick her brain with some frequently asked questions from parents.
KM: What age do you recommend starting a child in dance?
AS: I teach caregiver classes, which invite a parent or loved one to dance with their young person as well as independent classes starting at age two years old, and highly recommend them! However, it is never too late to start dancing, and it can bring so many positive things to anyone’s life at any age.
KM: What are some benefits of enrolling your child in dance?
AS: Some of the benefits are an increase in confidence, creativity, self-expression, socialization, physical wellness, and etiquette.
KM: Do you have any tips for children and parents just starting out with classes?
AS: My recommendation is to try several classes to find the right fit. This can help to ensure your child loves their dance class and is eager to go back each week.
Getting our kids moving, learning, and being passionate about something can benefit the whole family. We like to start our day with a dance party, accompanied by coffee, of course. It is a fun way to wake up our bodies, connect with our kids, and share some laughs. With so many genres of dance and music there really is something for everyone! We’ve all heard the saying “Dance like nobody’s watching,” but I encourage you to dance BECAUSE our children are watching.
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