Three Unexpected Ways Dance Helps Kids!

If the dancing bug is getting the best of you or your child, rest assured that Dance Expression dance arts provides safe In-studio and hybrid dance classes with an option that's right for everyone!

When your child moves beyond the cute little performances of their babyhood and begins a more serious dance schedule, they have to start considering their bodies like any athlete would. After all, serious dance is an athletic sport just where there will be soreness and physical strain.

It’s the constant struggle of parenthood. How can you be there for your kids and show them your support while also giving them room to grow and foster independence? It can be a very fine line between the two, especially when you’re just so excited about what your child is doing! In the world of dance moms (and dads) we’ve seen our fair share of those who hover too much, push too hard, and force their children to do things they don’t want to do. In fact, somewhere along the way, being a “dance mom” has turned into something negative. We disagree! We love dance moms and think there’s a way to be one in a supportive and fantastic way. Pay Attention – Is your child excited for dance class? Are they having fun? Pay close attention to their reaction when it’s time to go to class. A positive attitude is the most important sign of whether or not an activity is right for them. If you’re pushing week after week, no one is benefitting! Miss A Few Classes – As soon as you feel your child is old enough, let them experience class without you once in a while. Often times, children feel as if they have to impress their parents and make them proud. Let them be free to dance like no one is watching and enjoy it solely for themselves. But still come occasionally to let them know how great they’re doing and that you are proud! Support Others – Let your child know that as a dancer, they’re part of a team. Show support for other dancers by cheering them on, too. There will be plenty of time for your child to shine, but they also need to know how to work as part of a group. Show your child it’s not only about them. Try Different Styles – Did you always dream of being a ballerina? While that’s a wonderful aspiration, it may not be the same as your child’s. There are so many different styles of dance, kids need to explore and feel free to move their bodies in all different ways. Maybe their passion will be hip-hop or tap. Let them try everything! Sit in the Front Row – But there’s a way to do it! We’ve seen those moms in the front row mimicking every move and putting pressure on their child to smile. Sit back, relax, and just enjoy the performance. Let your child be the star. Tell them how much fun you had watching them have fun! If you ever fear that you’re pushing too much, ask the teachers! Along with the studio director, dance teachers are the ones who are face to face with your child during each class and can truly tell whether a dancer is thriving. They strive to be a constant source of support and always have the best interests of the children in mind. Let teachers guide you through the process of being a great dance mom!

Historically, dance has been a “girl” thing. Parents put pink tutus on their little girls before they can even walk and boys are brought to soccer practice. As most parents quickly realize, the preconceived ideas of what they think their children will like, and that child’s own preferences are often times different. Your daughter may end up being a fierce basketball player, and your son may prefer a paintbrush to a hockey stick. But what if your son wants to dance? More and more boys are showing interest in dance and the old stereotypes you may have worried about are greatly decreasing. With the popularity of shows like So You Think You Can Dance? and America’s Got Talent male dancers have been in the spotlight, and boy do the look cool! Not only are ballet and lyrical dancers featured, viewers see hyper masculine hip-hop and break dancing routines. Dance is so much more than pink tutus and Tchaikovsky (although we love those, too!). Here are some great reasons to encourage dance for boys: 1. Diversity – Not everyone is the same so having your son do something outside the norm makes him special. How boring would the world be if we all had the same interests? When your son gets the opportunity to show off his athletic prowess as a strong dancer, he stands out by showing people he can do something that most men can’t. Also, having more boys in dance companies makes that company more diverse. 2. Physical Benefits – Dance builds flexibility, endurance, and coordination, which affect many other areas. They have more muscle mass and even perform better in sports. If you ever see the body of a professional male dancer, you see an athlete who epitomizes strength and peak physical condition 3. Love – If your son shows an interest in dance, by all means support him. There is no greater joy than watching your child immerse themselves in something that fills them with happiness. When they excel in something that fills them with happiness, it builds strong self-esteem. How great is it to jump out of bed each morning and do what you love? 4. Success – If he does pursue a professional career in dance, since there is a lack of male dancers, he’ll have better chances to succeed. Male dancers have more job opportunities and less competition than women, which gives them a better chance at a lasting career. 5. Self-Confidence – When a person succeeds at something they love, their confidence goes way up. You often hear about a “performer’s high” that happens when a dancer is in front of an audience. Not only does the act of dance feel great, the accolades that follow are wonderful for building a positive self-image. 6. Modern Role Models – Whether its Derek Hough, Twitch, Adam Shankman, or Jason Derulo…the list goes on! There are so many male dancers for young boys to look up to. They can watch anything from Dancing With The Stars to an Usher video on YouTube and see positive role models. Not only do these celebrity dancers have amazing moves, but the exemplify athletes who have committed a lifetime of dedication to their craft.

 As our young children grow and begin to develop likes and dislikes, parents try to determine what types of activities their kids would enjoy. Drifting from one trial class to the next may provide for a few hits and misses, but nothing gives a parent more of a thrill when they see their youngster discover something new that they love.  Sometimes it’s clear from the beginning that they’re either into sports or the arts, but in some cases your child likes BOTH! For many parents of girls (and an increasing number of boys) dance classes are a great choice. But how do you know if dance is a good option for your child? Your child gravitates towards music and dances on their own. You know those adorable videos of babies in diapers bopping along to their favorite tune? You’ve got a THOUSAND! First one on the dance floor at a party? YOUR KID! They willingly join in when there is an opportunity to dance. If your child has always had the wiggles and doesn’t need to be asked twice if they want to shimmy and shake, dance class will be a WIN! You ask them if they’d like to try a class and they say, “YES!” It’s that simple! By a very early age, kids know what they want to do and what they don’t. If they want to try, sign them up. They want to look and dress like a dancer! Some little girls are just crazy for ballerinas and anything that involves tutus. If the mere suggestion of wearing ballet shoes makes her eyes light up, she’ll probably love dance. During their first trial class they have a positive attitude and willingly participate throughout the entire class. What can we say? Dance class is FUN! When you ask them if they want to do it again and they say, “YES!” Who wouldn’t want to go back and do something that fun over and over again?  One of the keys to starting off on the right foot is to match the child with the style of dance they’re interested in, place them in the appropriate age group, and assess their skill level so they can be placed accordingly. No matter what they’re age, it’s possible to find a class where they can thrive. It’s never too early or too late. Still not sure? Here are some great benefits you’ll see from dance: Improved cardiovascular condition. Increased flexibility. Better class performance even in their regular school. Improved discipline in all areas. Reduced stress. Better physical condition; which increases performance in all areas. Learning to follow directions. Mental and Physical Focus. Socialization. Learning to participate in a group. Confidence. *BONUS - If you’re still on the fence when it comes to having your child try dance, there’s really no reason to hold back. Virtually all dance schools offer a free trial class so there’s really no loss in letting your child give it a go!

Nearly every performer experiences it at some point in their career, if not before every single performance. Increased pulse, sweating, shaky limbs, and overall fear of failure are all too familiar. Stage fright can be crippling and turn even the most prepared performance into a failure. What a lot of performers don’t realize is that not only is it important to practice your material, but you also have to practice performing. It’s a skill that becomes better over time. The ability to relax and enjoy a performance doesn’t come easy to anyone. It takes time, experience, and learning how to recover from mistakes. But if you’re worried your nerves will get the best of you, there are several methods that can ease this common anxiety. 1. The Right Foods: Fruits like bananas and apricots naturally lower blood sugar, and the probiotics in yogurt can be calming to your body overall. Eat food that you know makes you feel your best. Avoid high fat, high sugar, and greasy foods that will slow you down. Also limit caffeine and alcohol close to a performance, since these can greatly affect your ability to stay mentally sharp. 2. Exercise Your Stress Away: Not only is dance a stress reliever because it’s great exercise, but pretty much any physical activity will have a similar affect. Chose the one you like most, whether it’s running, biking, or swimming. If you’re a professional dancer, sometimes exercise that is outside of dance can be very effective at relieving tension. 3. Get Into The Ohm: Meditation is thousands of years old and has stood the test of time for a reason. It works! Focusing and quieting your mind intentionally can work wonders before a performance. You can also try some gentle yoga, breathing exercises, or even a guided meditation app right from your phone. 4. Speaking Of Breathing: Diaphragmatic breathing, in particular, is scientifically proven to calm the body. It increases oxygen levels to your brain and lowers the heart rate. Controlled, deep breaths from your diaphragm are essential to getting yourself under control when you feel that you may lose it. Whenever you’re performing, put yourself in the position of an audience member. When you watch someone dance, are you watching to critique their every move and find faults? Or are you simply enjoying the performance and feeling happy? Chances are it’s the latter. Perform with the knowledge that what you’re doing is brightening the day of every single person watching, and you’re giving them a memorable experience. Even if you are in a competition, the judges are there because they love their art. Show them how much you do, too! If performing is something you truly love, do everything you can to enjoy it. Sharing your gifts with the audience is such a fulfilling experience for everyone. With time and proper techniques, you can surely find the balance to control any fears.