When young parents look for an activity for their preschool child to participate in, dance is often a choice they consider, especially if their child is a girl.
Parents often wonder what dance is all about, how young should they start their child dancing, and what are the benefits of dance? These are all great questions. We will try to answer some of these questions for you…
Many dance studios offer dance classes for pre-school children. Our studio, for instance, offers classes that teach basic dance movements of tap, ballet, and jazz for these young, often first time dancers.
Here at Liberty Dance Center, we have classes for the age groups of 2-3 year olds and 4-5 year olds.
We have found that dance can be a great activity for kids as young as two (preferably toilet trained). Dance is an excellent source of exercise, as well as a great opportunity to socialize and make new friends with other kids their age.
Dance Classes For Two and Three Year Olds
Preschool dancers are also given the opportunity to learn how to follow instructions from someone other than their parent. And they get to do this in a fun-filled environment that allows them the chance to begin to tap into their creativity.
The biggest challenge kids this young age face is being separated from their parents, but this is often overcome in the first couple weeks of class. A previous post on our blog highlighted why dance is a great activity for children. Check that out to learn more.
Dance Classes For Four and Five Years Olds
For our slightly older preschool dancers, we offer both a Ballet/Tap/Jazz combo class. We recently added a 4-5 year old Hip-Hop class that has become extremely popular. This class is not just for girls. It is enjoyed as much by boys, and dads are less resistant to let their son’s dance in this style of class.
Benefits of Dance For Preschool Children
So, our opinion is that dance is a great experience for preschool kids as young as two years old.
Preschool dance classes provide the perfect combination of benefits for young dancers. They get to learn a skill they can enjoy their entire life. The activity provides great exercise. The child gets a chance to socialize with kids their age along while learning to follow instructions from a non-parent.
Combine all that with dance being a really fun, up-beat activity, and we think parents have a great option for their young children!
Contact your local dance studio to see what type of programs they offer for preschool children. Also, check out another one of our previous dance blogs on what to look for in choosing a dance studio for your child.
Keep in mind, one thing to look for when selecting the right studio, is whether the teachers for the preschool programs are adult teachers. That makes a big difference!
