Why Dance is Beneficial for Children
Author: Kathy Miller
Dance is scientifically demonstrated to be beneficial for people of all ages. In this article, I’m focusing on just a few of the ways that being involved in dance is especially beneficial for children. It goes way beyond the obvious: it’s fun, they meet other kids, and they get exercise! Yes—but the depths to which dance fulfills these positives might surprise you.
From the moment children start moving, they are gaining information about the world around them. They develop spatial awareness and the ability to perceive their relationships with objects and people in their environment. This leads to older children having more refined motor skills, problem-solving abilities, social awareness, and even academic growth. By challenging the mind to connect with the body, children develop neural pathways that will support their development for a lifetime and much of this groundwork is laid before they even enter kindergarten!
Dance is an excellent way for children to develop and put these skills into action. By participating in dance classes, a child is challenged not only physically, but also socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Let’s break down just a few of the many child development benefits of dance and how they show up in a studio setting:
Self-Regulation
In class, students form lines and take turns. We practice delayed gratification (like waiting for breaks), breathing exercises, or connecting breath to movement. Students also learn to pay attention to rhythm—and even the importance of stillness. In today’s fast-paced world of instant gratification, these skills are essential to a child’s ability to function in social environments like school, where focus and self-regulation are expected daily.
Teamwork and Social Skills
Students are encouraged to support classmates, participate in collaborative choreography (like recital pieces), and share dance space. These activities reinforce positive social behavior and help children understand how to interact respectfully with others.
Cognitive Skills
Children in dance are challenged to learn new terminology, remember movement sequences, listen to constructive feedback, and problem-solve how to apply it. Crossing the body’s midline in dance encourages both sides of the brain to work together, improving focus, memory, and body awareness.
Spatial and Personal Awareness
Dancers practice moving through space while navigating around others. This builds environmental awareness and improves coordination. Additionally, students begin to learn how their bodies function, gaining foundational knowledge in anatomy and kinesiology that supports movement in all areas of life.
Posture and Core Stability
Even young dancers begin developing muscles for healthy posture by working on balance and control. As they advance, they perform targeted core exercises that improve core strength and movement efficiency—skills that support physical health far beyond the dance studio.
Dance is, without a doubt, an engaging and effective way for children to develop lifelong skills. Without even realizing it, our students are growing into creative thinkers, coordinated movers, and confident individuals. We’ve only scratched the surface here—there’s so much more to dance than just movement!
