Pirouettes and Plies and Piques, Oh My! Sure, we learn a lot of funny words and big steps in a dance class but what else do we get out of the blood, sweat and tears that goes into a great dance class…

Dance is an incredible discipline for a child to experience. Dance allows children to explore their creativity and express themselves. Young girls and boys who commence dance before they attend school acclimate more quickly to the school environment. Through dance, young children learn to follow instructions, to communicate with teachers and other students and gain an understanding of routine and structure.Unique to dance is the opportunity to perform the skills they learn on stage, this can alleviate fears some young children may have related to performing in front of an audience. Benefits flow through to students school work giving them confidence in public speaking, delivering assignments or nominating for student council.

Regular dance lessons can increase your child’s flexibility, range of motion, physical strength and stamina. Repetitive movements improve muscle tone, correct poor posture, increase balance, coordination and improve overall cardiovascular health.

Becoming a skilled dancer requires practice, discipline and focus. Talents like these carry through to the work force and are common not only to good dancers but to good students. Students who regularly participate in dance lessons typically tend to perform better academically than their non-participating peers. No matter whether your child chooses to take on a career in dance or not they can benefit greatly from the discipline of dance.

Leanne Mallyon is the mother of 8 year old Melesse, who is a student of Port Macquarie Performing Arts:

“The positive impact dancing has had on Melesse’s confidence, social development, gross motor skills, memory and concentration have been amazing. She has gained the confidence to get up in front of a crowd and not only dance but speak to an audience. This flows through into her ability socialise with her peers and relate to other children. She has formed the strongest of friendships with children outside her school and other sporting activities and has role models in the older girls at dance that any parent would be grateful for their child to have.”