Dancing is a highly physical activity! Regular dance practice can increases flexibility, range of motion, grace, coordination, physical strength and stamina. The repetitive movements involved in dance can improve muscle tone, correct poor posture, increase balance and improve overall cardiovascular health. Dancing is an aerobic form of exercise as well as an art!

In addition to being a physical activity, dancing is also a highly social activity. Dance lessons can help children improve their social and communication skills, learn how to work as part of a team, develop a greater sense of trust and cooperation and make new friends. If your child is shy, enrolling in dance can encourage him or her to reach out to other children their age and help to reduce anxiety about new people or places. Dance also help to alleviate fears related to performing in front of an audience. In our experience, sometimes the dancers that are most anxious about speaking in front of other people become confident young people through their performance experiences!

Becoming a skilled dancer requires practice, discipline, determined and focus – all skills that can be useful in other areas of your child’s life. According to “FamilyTalk Magazine,” dance lessons can help to spark creativity in young children and help them to develop an appreciation for the arts. Students who regularly participate in dance lessons typically tend to perform better academically than their nonparticipating peers. A recent Stanford University study discovered that students who have a background in dance tend to achieve significantly higher SAT scores and do better in math and science competitions. Our graduates have attended such prestigious universities as Fordham, NYU, StoneHill College, High Point University, University of Miami and WPI. While many of our graduates have pursued a career in dance, we feel dance classes at Allegro helps to prepare students to work hard in any field they choose!

As children adjust to the movements and postures required in dance, they begin to get a better sense of their bodies. As they become more comfortable in their own skin, their confidence and self-esteem also improve. According to EduDance, dance lessons can encourage children to foster a more positive attitude and explore their own self-expression. This can be particularly beneficial for children who are physically or mentally impaired or those who are attempting to deal with significant emotional problems.