IS DANCE CLASS FOR MY CHILD?
You may ask yourself how long should your child take the classes. I always recommend at least one year. It makes them feel like they have accomplished something. After the first year then what? Maybe in the beginning your child loved it but now they are unsure.
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After the first year you will see the benefits of the dance class and other arts programs. Even for kids who will not turn the hobby into a profession. Americans for the Arts, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing arts in America, says these are the benefits to participating in the arts at least 3 days a week.
* THEY ARE 4 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
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* THEY ARE 3 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE ELECTED TO A CLASS OFFICE IN SCHOOL
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* THEY ARE 4 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO PARTICIPATE IN MATH AND SCIENCE FAIRS
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*THEY ARE 3 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO GET AWARDED FOR SCHOOL ATTENDANCE
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*THEY ARE 4 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO WIN AN AWARD FOR WRITING AN ESSAY OR POEM
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*THEY ARE TWICE AS LIKELY TO READ FOR PLEASURE
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*THEY ARE 4 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DO COMMUNITY SERVICE
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When I was growing up everyone was encouraged to be "well rounded". These days parents are giving more financial advice such as "learn marketable skills" and be "career focused". Art is very expressive and fuels our souls. If we focus too much on business plans our children may never reach their full potential in their field. Dance can help with flexibility and problem solving and help children grow into caring citizens.
Researchers from Arts Education Partnership reviewed 62 students and how dance, music and other arts affected their achievements. Students that participate in strong arts programs:
* SHOWED IMPROVEMENTS IN READING COMPREHENSION, SPEAKING AND WRITING SKILLS
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* SHOWED IMPROVEMENT IN REASONING, PROBLEM SOLVING, AND CREATIVE THINKING
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* SHOWED IMPROVEMENT IN ACTIVE ENGAGEMENT , DISCIPLINED ATTENTION, PERSISTENCE , AND RISK TAKING
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*SHOWED IMPROVEMENT IN SELF CONFIDENCE , SELF CONTROL, CONFLICT RESOLUTION, COLLABORATION, EMPATHY, SOCIAL TOLERANCE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
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Dance class may not only enrich your child's life but yours as well. Watch videos on YouTube. Listen to all different types of music and talk about it with your child. Dance with your child after a bad day and see how much better it makes you feel. Go see a performance or read a book about dance. Learning about dance will give you a different outlook on it, you may want to start dancing too!