Why Dance Class is Just as Important as Math Class
In artistic circles, an anonymous quote has been making the rounds: “‘Earth’ without ‘art’ is just ‘eh’.” A lot of emphasis is placed on the more ‘practical’ subjects like math and biology, but the truth is arts-based subjects like dance and visual art are equally beneficial to a child’s development.
Contrary to popular opinion, artistic skill is just that: a skill. A lot of people believe that art is only for people who have the ‘talent’ for it. Just like anything else, dance is learnt, practiced, and mastered. Even if the child chooses another career, though, there are benefits to learning dance.
- Work ethic
For one, dance teaches discipline and work ethic. As children work to master a new skill, they learn the benefit of doing their best and not giving up.
- Stimulates the brain
Dance students also develop creative thinking. They learn to appreciate music and about spatial relationships. In other words, dance stimulates both sides of the brain, which means it helps children with other subjects, too.
- Social skills
Another key component of dance is social interaction. Dance is a communal affair, and teaches children the importance of taking turns, and cooperating to create something more than the sum of its parts, much like team sports. These social skills will help children later in life.
- Fitness
Of course, we can’t forget about fitness! In this sedentary age where we spend so much of our time sitting (even when we’re on the move, many of us are sitting in the seat of a vehicle), dance promotes the use of the muscles. It teaches coordination and is a good way to get children on their feet.
As we can see, dance is an invaluable part of any curriculum. All these life lessons and benefits will stay with your child as they develop, and it is part of why parents all over the world encourage their children to pick up dance classes.