Why Take Introductory Dance Classes?

Why take Introductory Dance?

Introductory dance class for the young child (ages 3-6) lay the foundation for future study in dance technique and enriches the child in five areas of development: physical, creative, social, cognitive, and emotional. The physical and creative aspects are the most obvious. The child explores new ways to move his/her body in directed and free form. Pretending to walk like a giraffe and float like a snowflake challenges the child to discover muscles not commonly used on the playground. These muscles are being prepared for the complex movements of the more mature dancer. For example, the child may associate a releve with the feeling of wearing high-heeled shoes. Creative Movement and Pre-Ballet classes also encourage social, cognitive, and emotional development. Creative movement need not be "taught"; rather, it is shared in class with a group of peers and provides a medium for self-expression — the core of choreography. The accompanying music gives children clues and helps them set the mood of their dance. In Pre-Ballet, the child is further challenged physically and introduced to dance class etiquette. Cognitive skills of counting, sequencing, spatial awareness, and immersion in a second language (French) are basic to every dancer, beginning to professional. By Robin Griffin