Dancing is an activity that has been enjoyed by people of all ages and cultures for centuries. It is not only a form of artistic expression, but also a great way to stay physically fit and healthy. For children, dancing is particularly beneficial as it promotes physical, emotional and social development. In today’s fast-paced world, where technology and sedentary lifestyles are becoming the norm, it is more important than ever to encourage children to engage in physical activities and keep active.
Firstly, dancing is a great form of exercise for children because it involves the whole body. It is a full-body workout that engages all major muscle groups, including the legs, arms, core and back. Dancing also improves flexibility, co-ordination and balance. As children learn and practise different dance moves and routines, their bodies become more flexible and their range of motion increases. This not only improves their physical performance but also helps to prevent injuries.
By learning and mastering different dance steps and routines, children improve their ability to control their body movements and maintain balance, which is important for their overall physical development.
Secondly, dancing is an enjoyable form of exercise for children. Unlike traditional forms of exercise, such as running, dancing allows children to express themselves creatively and have fun while staying active. This makes it more likely for them to engage in physical activity on a regular basis. Dancing also has a social aspect to it, as it is often done in groups or pairs. This can help children develop social skills, build friendships, and boost their self-confidence. In a dance class or performance, children learn to work together as a team, communicate effectively, and support each other. This not only benefits their physical health but also their emotional and social wellbeing.
Dancing is a low-impact exercise that is suitable for children of all ages and abilities. Unlike high-impact activities, such as running or jumping, dancing puts less strain on the joints and muscles, making it a safe form of exercise for children. This is particularly important for young children who are still developing physically. Dancing can also be modified to suit the individual needs and abilities of each child. For example, children with disabilities or physical limitations can still participate in dancing by adapting the movements and routines to their abilities. This inclusivity makes dancing an accessible form of exercise for all children.
In addition to its physical benefits, dancing also has a positive impact on children’s mental health. Regular physical activity, such as dancing, has been linked to improved mood, reduced stress and anxiety and increased self-esteem. Dancing releases endorphins, also known as the ‘feel-good’ hormones, which can help them feel happier and more relaxed. It also provides a healthy outlet for children to express their emotions and relieve any tension or stress they may be experiencing. As children learn to control their body movements and improve their skills, they also gain a sense of accomplishment and boost their self-confidence. This can have a positive impact on their overall wellbeing and help them develop a positive body image.
The importance of keeping active for children goes beyond physical and mental health benefits. Regular physical activity is essential for children’s overall development and long-term health. According to the World Health Organization, physical inactivity is one of the leading risk factors for global mortality, with about 3.2 million deaths per year attributed to insufficient physical activity. Childhood obesity is also a growing concern, and keeping active is crucial in preventing and managing it. Dancing, being a fun and enjoyable form of exercise, can help children develop healthy habits and maintain an active lifestyle as they grow older.
Dancing is therefore a fantastic form of exercise for children that offers numerous benefits for their physical, emotional and social wellbeing. It engages the whole body, promotes flexibility, co-ordination and balance, and is suitable for children of all ages and abilities.
Dancing is also enjoyable and has a positive impact on children’s mental health, boosting their self-esteem and promoting a sense of inclusivity and acceptance. In today’s world, where technology and sedentary lifestyles are becoming more prevalent, it is crucial to encourage children to stay active and engage in physical activities like dancing. By doing so, we can help children develop healthy habits, prevent health issues and promote their overall development.
It starts the minute you arrive at the venue. The staff and volunteers all have bright eyes and wide grins that actually look genuine, the café or kiosk is serving Christmas-themed cookies and cupcakes and Christmas pudding flavoured ice-cream. The bar is serving large glasses of everything, including delicious mulled wine. The smell of excited anticipation is everywhere.
If every opportunity is seized, there is wonderful scope for creating a powerful cross-curricular approach to developing a show. By learning about the literature, history, art, music, and dance that surrounds a story, we cultivate an appreciation for traditions, beliefs, design and stagecraft. As part of the preparations for our school’s recent production of The Lion King this term, the girls studied the patterns, designs and colours used in African prints before creating their own designs for fabrics, masks and marketing materials. They studied each character in the script and crafted symbols and emblems to represent them; meticulously forming links between characters who were related or belonged to the same group. Later, these were hand printed onto fabrics using block printing techniques so that they could finally be made into the cast’s costumes. Through workshops with external educators, they learnt about the importance and significance of symbolism in Adinkra printing; the rhythms and collective energy used in African drumming; and the storytelling techniques, as well as traditional movements, that can be generated through dance. We focused on the importance of recycling materials and made masks and props out of plastic milk bottles. This process was amazing – our girls were captivated by the transformation achieved with these simple objects. In addition to this, by singing songs in African dialects, we enhanced our understanding and appreciation of sounds and languages. The opportunities for extending the students’ learning through stimulating and interlinked topics are boundless.
Children’s empathy and emotional intelligence are developed through everyday interaction but they are also nurtured by music, books, and in particular, watching live theatre performances. When watching characters interact on stage, we as the audience connect with them and experience what they are thinking and feeling as if we were thinking or feeling it ourselves – we are practicing how to understand others. Having a safe space to explore difficult emotions is essential to strengthening empathetic muscles and live theatre provides the perfect platform for this. Bill English, founder of the San Francisco Playhouse, states that: “Theatre is like a gym for empathy. It’s where we go to build up the muscles of compassion, to practice listening and understanding and engaging with people that are not just like ourselves. We practice sitting down, paying attention and learning from other people’s actions. We practice caring.”
to the theatre can be a fantastic way of making lasting memories and spending real quality time together. For children (and grownups!) going to see a play feels like something special, something out of the ordinary. Whether it’s the grandeur of the building itself, finding your red velvet seats or begging for a tub of ice cream in the intermission, the experience of going to the theatre is something unique before the play has even begun.
There’s a tiny little instrument that offers a big punch, Al Start from Go Kid Music is singing the praises of the humble ukulele. Let me stop you right there! You were about to turn the page, but hear me out! There are a few really great reasons why this small, innocent looking instrument could be your secret (musical) weapon. Indulge me…
Having taught ukulele in schools for over a decade Al Start has perfected the art and packaged it into one super-cool family-focused club! The Go Kid Ukulele Club features online lessons taking you from total beginner to ukulele hero at your own pace, for the price of just one ukulele. Check them out here: 
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