By Stephanie Hill

When you sign your child up for dance class you probably already know about some of the more obvious benefits.  Dance training improves coordination, rhythm, and grace.  Dancing also strengthens developing muscles, increases flexibility and extends range of motion.  Gaining skills in dance increases your child’s self-esteem and encourages positive expression through movement.  Early dance training often leads to a lifelong appreciation of music and love of dancing!  Read more to learn about some things you didn’t know about your child’s dance class.

1. Dancing boosts HAPPINESS!  When children are doing exciting dance moves to music that they like it makes sense that they will have fun.  Dancing causes the brain to release dopamine and serotonin.  These are hormones that promote happiness.  
2. Through the discipline of dance children gain important SOCIAL SKILLS to last a lifetime.  Dance class has rules and etiquette that strengthen children’s social interactions:

• Taking turns
• Cooperation with others 
• Spatial awareness
• Patience 
• Making Friends

      3. BRAIN HEALTH Dancing supports brain health.  Dance moves that cross the midline assist in coordinating the left and right hemispheres of the brain.  Dance training goes hand in hand with learning to read and write in early education. Midline dance steps help children to:

• Follow words on a page while reading  
• Hold a pencil and learn to write
• Skip, jump, and perform gross motor movements

Now that you know the 3 hidden benefits of dance class it’s time to take action and enroll in dance class!  Dancing will make your child happy, socially engaged, and smart!