Dance teaches children to move their bodies, express their thoughts through movement, develop new talents, challenge their own limits, and enjoy their creative side as they perform. Children also learn to listen to their teachers and how to work in a group. In addition, you would be surprised to know how dance is linked to brain development, especially in children.
Here are some incredible ways of how dancing supports childhood brain development:
Improves Brain Health
Irrespective of age, dancing diminishes the chances of developing a brain disease. When children are introduced to dance at an early stage, they establish good brain health. Dancing involves new movements that trigger different areas of the brain, such as the ones controlling decision making and memory. While dancing, the brain constantly uses these particular regions to maintain a continuous flow. This ultimately improves mental skills, spatial recognition, and long-term memory.
Increases Mental Capacity
Physical activities like running and dancing are linked to an increased mental capacity to use memory and other functions of the brain. Since children are curious, their minds are constantly buzzing whenever they learn or experience something new. Learning new dance steps or styles works as a mental exercise that stimulates the brain to coordinate and achieve perfection. Following the same dance routine, repeating the steps, and imitating dance moves increases the brain’s ability to remember the movements. Some studies show children who learn to dance, develop a habit of planning, organising, and scheduling as they grow older.
Enhances Motor Function
Dancing improves motor function and the ability to move or bend certain parts of the body. As young children have flexible bodies, they learn to move or bend in particular ways that are difficult for adults to attempt. When they begin to dance at an early age, they learn to control their own bodies and eliminate the possibility of developmental delays. In children, dance develops gross and fine motor skills. While the former involves movements of large muscles, the latter includes small, detailed movements. All motor skills combined help their brains to control their movements and be well-coordinated as they grow up.
Improves Muscle Memory
Besides developing dance skills, children also improve muscle memory. The more they practise a particular dance step, the more their brains connect to the movements and learn specific instructions. This further helps them perform better and without thinking about the next steps, their muscles already know what to do. Visualising the routines and dance steps also makes the brain work harder, which ultimately benefits muscle memory.
Regulates Mood
Since dancing is a type of exercise, the brain releases endorphins, which naturally reduces stress hormones and regulates mood. When children learn to dance, these chemicals regulate their emotions and help them learn their behaviour as they get older. Dancing also helps combat the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Children learn the ability to express themselves through movement, which improves emotional health and relaxation.
Dance classes here at CSD benefit not only children's physical strength but also their brains. An early introduction to dance helps them develop a strong and healthy mind from a very young age.
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