A simple definition of dance is that it is a combination of the body’s different movements in a rhythmic way. Typically, people dance differently to specific music and in certain settings. It has a goal to express emotion or idea, release energy, or simply enjoy the moment itself.
But there is more to dancing than just expressing yourself. It is also very beneficial to keep your body healthy and fit. Yes, it’s true. As most dances incorporate movements like walking, jumping, and turning, it helps you burn calories. There are several other perks to dancing which is why it is the best activity for your children. If you are thinking of enrolling your children in highly productive activity, then this should be your choice.
However, you need to first decide which dance style will fit the preferences of your child. In that case, we have discussed different dance types in detail. You can read the article further to understand which dancing method is best for your kid.
Benefits of All Types of Dancing
Many parents enroll their toddlers in dance classes, but you may wonder, is it beneficial for kids? We must tell you that dance sessions help both the mind and body. Children who dance regularly can improve their balance, posture, and flexibility. Not to mention, dancing can be a great tool to reduce anxiety and stress. Plus, it helps you boost self-esteem among kids. Dancing is a cardiovascular exercise and aims to provide fitness advantages.
With the help of dances like ballet, hip-hop, and others, your children will better understand how to move their bodies. They will also learn physical movements and stretches in a full body and brain connection. These dance routines can boost memory and offer social connections among fellow dancers in the studio. Typically, kids enjoy meeting other children, but participating with friends in the dance class is also a great option. Most importantly, it increases children’s knowledge and understanding of the world through dance.
Surprisingly, dance also develops both fine and gross motor skills. This is why children also learn some aspects of math while dancing. These include intervals, shapes, counting, addition, form, multiplication, subtraction, and division.
How old should a child be to Start Learning Dance?
Dance lessons are available for kids as young as 3 or 4 years old. But these sessions tend to focus more on the fun and entertainment part of dancing. At most, they teach basic coordination skills. At this age, your kids probably don’t learn any real dance techniques. Some dance studios also ask parents to participate with their children. When the child turns 5, they are able to learn dance styles and techniques. This is because, at this point, a child learns to follow directions, pay attention, and handle mild criticism.
Many instructors ask parents to begin their kid’s dance journey with ballet classes. The primary reason for this is that the fundamentals in this type of dancing translate to every other dance form. Lastly, the most important thing you need to look for is your child’s interest in the dance before getting them into a dance class. If you are confused about whether your child is going to love the idea of dancing, you can simply take them to introductory classes to know how they are feeling. If your child enjoys their first experience, take it as a green signal.
Types of Dance Styles for Your Children
Most people think that ballet, hip-hop, and jazz are the only options when it comes to deciding the ideal option for kids. But little do they know that there are several kinds of dance styles. Some of them are traditional and old, while others are a product of the modern world. Here, we have mentioned some of the best dance forms that your children will enjoy.
Ballet
Pointe shoes, tutus, and men in tights are something that comes to our mind when we talk about ballet. But it is important to understand that ballet is much more than that. It is one of the most challenging dance genres to master. Ballet is a rigorous way of dancing and the foundation of most types of dancing. Usually, orchestrated music is used to practice its methods and techniques. However, dancers also use other types of music in ballet.
This is usually the first dance style that children learn when they start taking dance lessons. Instructors ask them to wear ballet shoes until their feet build strength to wear pointe shoes. This typically happens around the age of 12 and only if the instructor gives permission to wear them. You must understand that ballet is the best teaching tool for all types of dancers as it is a mixture of coordination, technique, and musicality.
Jazz
This technique has historically encompassed several kinds of dance techniques. It shares a great connection with African American dances and rhythms. In addition to that, jazz also includes few aspects of ballet and tap dancing. This dancing technique usually requires a loose body and limb style by incorporating lifted and strong ballet forms in it. Like tappers, jazz dancers use methods and styles that keep them closer to the ground.
Besides all of these, dancers also perform many innovative and unique turning and leaping combinations. You may already have observed jazz in entertainment venues, music videos, and musical theatre. If you watching dance shows, you may have seen jazz numerous times as it’s a popular form that many contestants use to wow the judges.
Hip-Hop
You can say that hip-hop is comparatively new in contrast to other types of dance styles. This dancing form first became famous in New York City around the 1960s. At that time, people with no dance background use their innate movement skills to create hip-hop.
Because of being easy and simple, this dance type relates to ordinary people who didn’t have formal dance training. Hip-hop gets inspiration from the styles and rhythms of African dancing. If your children participate in hip-hop dancing, they can learn about this dance’s unique and challenging techniques, which make it different from other types. Not to mention, it is also a funny and crazy dancing type that captures children’s attention. Children also love the lock and pop moves in this type of dancing.
Contemporary Dance
The contemporary dance method is also one of the products of the modern world. It is relatively newer than other types of old techniques, such as ballet. Unlike several other dancing methods that need extensive choreography, contemporary dance allows you to move spontaneously and freely. Dancers perform fluid movements with the combination of different genres such as jazz, ballet, lyrical, and modern.
The best part is that the fun dynamics of its techniques and movements inspire dancers to be more creative and imaginative. If your child wants to do something that doesn’t force them to follow the rules, this is an ideal option. Furthermore, contemporary dance encourages emotional and artistic expression in children who are extremely shy.
Lyrical
Many people feel that lyrical is the best dancing technique because its methods fall somewhere between jazz and ballet. Lyrical is also a way of expressing strong emotions. Choreographers and dancers lean completely on the feel of the music. Moreover, choreographers use different genres of music to develop the desired emotion. You also need to know that this type of dance aims to give life meaning to music.
Audiences feel great joy and pleasure in observing the lyrical dance as they find it easy to translate and understand. This dance also allows the dancer to create a beautiful picture that inspires people. In this type, dancers fill the stage with turns, leaps, and creative walking movements. The best part is that lyrical doesn’t require the extreme physical strength that you need while doing other forms of dancing. This makes it a suitable option for people of different ages and body types. Because of these perks of lyrical dance, it is an ideal option for kids who have little strength to deal with the pressure of dance.
Tap
Traditional tap-dancing involves a non-patterned format. Dancers use metal taps and place them on the bottom of the shoes to create rhythmic sounds. You will hear a sweet and mild sound on every tap, creating its own style of music. This method merges steps that include slightly bent knees and a loose upper body. Additionally, the dancer needs to dance on the ball of their feet.
When the dancer learns the basic steps, they start to dance faster and often dance while turning. You may not know, but tap-dancing first began in the 19th century’s minstrel shows. You may have seen some elements of tap=dancing in traditional Scottish and Irish clogging. This style of dancing involves precise sounds and rhythms. To understand whether if kids will love this dance class, you can take them to any show where they can get an idea of this dancing type.
Belly
In belly dancing, a common misconception is that you only need to move the belly in this dancing technique. But that’s not true, and it is much more than the belly movements. The belly dancing aids you to improve overall muscle coordination and flexibility as you need to move your entire body. Some children feel shy participating in belly dancing. However, simply spending some time observing others in the class will help your kid boost their self-esteem.
By practicing this dance method, your child not only learns new dance techniques but also benefits from holistic development during the practice. They also have an opportunity to learn something from other cultures in the world. This will help them understand the importance of exploring nations and cultures other than their own.
Modern
A few decades back, modern was commonly known as a dance style that opposed ballet. Modern dance is a raw art form and a way of expressing the dancer’s relationship with the floor. This dancing type includes methods like release, movements, and contractions.
Another thing you may want to know is that modern dancers have several options in regard to shoes. They can choose the one that gives more freedom to their foot and protection to the floor. Nevertheless, modern and ballet have a great connection and similarity in terms of coordination, techniques, and musicality.
Highland
This is one of the popular dancing methods and came into being in the Gaelic Highlands of Scotland. The first thing you need to understand that it is significantly different from Scottish Country Dancing. Moreover, highland dancing needs leg and arm strength, as well as a lot of stamina.
Some people also merge Scottish highland dance with the Irish dancing technique, but that’s not the case. The Highland dancing method comes from Scotland, so it has various traditional aspects. On the other hand, Irish dance has Irish origins, making it very progressive. Generally, people wear Ghillies for both of these dance techniques, but they are slightly different. If you think that your child has enough strength and endurance power to participate in Highland dancing, then go for it.
Ballroom
It is a common perception that ballroom dancing is only suitable for adults. Anyone, including children, can practice ballroom dancing to build character. Regularly practicing this dance style can help your kid improve posture, flexibility, and stamina. It also helps your kid learn the fundamentals of social life, as they become more friendly and communicative.
Learning the movements of this dance can help your kid improve their focusing abilities and memory. Instructors can teach children competitive dancing, which helps them build self-esteem and confidence. It’s an ideal option for your kid if you want to start with easy and simple dancing steps.
Bottom Line
In a nutshell, there is a long list of dance styles that you can choose from, according to your child’s age, preferences, and interests. But before picking any of the dance techniques, make sure to ask for your children’s opinion. You can also discuss with any expert dancer which dancing method will be suitable for your kid. In the end, just do a little bit of research, so you make the right decision.