When it comes to our children, we want to give them the world. Many little girls and some little boys  show an early interest in dance and you should not worry about gender stereotypes at young ages  especially. The benefits of dance for children far outweigh any potential stereotyping that may come  about as the result. Children, whether male or female can learn many things from dance classes that go  far beyond practical applications in their dancing. These life lessons are part of the appeal of dance  classes to parents around the world. 

Dance Teaches Important Lessons 

Much like team sports, dance for children can teach some invaluable and important lessons. Discipline  and self-control are very important character traits when it comes to dance. You must practice and you  must hold yourself in the proper positions for the moves you need to take. Your child will also learn to  take turns, to share attention, and to cooperate with others. These are very important skills for a young  child to develop and dance classes are often offered for children at a much younger age than many team  sports. Your child will also learn the importance of being a part of a group as many dances involve  everyone in the class. 

Dance classes also teach your children about music, rhythm, and beat. Your child will become more  coordinated as the result of their dance classes and these classes are a great way in which to encourage  physical fitness and exercise. By teaching your child early in life the importance of movement and fitness  you will instill in him or her the tools he or she will need in order to remain physically fit throughout the  course of his or her life. 

Dance for children will also help build self-esteem in your child as he or she accomplishes new goals and  tasks each week. You should watch closely however and make sure that this isn’t backfiring by having  your child in a style of dance that he or she finds frustrating. While you do want your child’s dance  classes to present a challenge you also do not want them to be so much of a challenge that your child  isn’t enjoying them either. 

You should also keep in mind that if you are considering a long-term commitment to dance classes and  competitive dance, the financial commitment could be significant. This is not a cheap alternative to  team sports. In fact, quite the opposite is true at older and more competitive levels of dance. Not only  are the financial commitments serious but also the commitment of time. Dance is a wonderful method  for teaching your child many important skills that will greatly help develop the character of your child. 

That being said you should be aware that if this becomes something in which your child is exceptionally  talented, you might find that the costs are more than you had imagined. 

You will also find that there are many different types of dance that are offered for children. Among  some of the more popular are ballet, jazz, tap, ethnic dances, hip hop, and belly dancing just to name a  few. Younger children will probably take a few creative movement classes rather than jumping into one  

specific style. This gives your children a chance to experience different styles of dance and to discover  which moves are more enjoyable and natural feeling to them. 

All in all, dance for children is a great way to build invaluable social skills. Much more importantly  however, it is an opportunity to teach your children the importance of being part of something larger  than themselves. This is something far too few children really understand and that will serve them well  as they grow and become adults. If you are looking for an excellent studio that teaches dance for  children you should really concentrate on those studios that place an emphasis on personal  development for your child more than competitive opportunities, particularly in younger years. As your  child’s talents and enthusiasm for dance grow you can always choose to move your child to a more  competition focused studio.

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