Dance is a great form of exercise that can be enjoyed at any age, but did you know there are many other benefits?
Even if a dance student eventually decides to hang up their shoes, dance lessons are still a great investment. Not only does the student have a greater appreciation of dance throughout life, but dance education also has positive long-term effects on a child’s and adult’s socialization, cognitive functioning, and emotional well-being.
Cognitive Development
Studies show that while exercise is good for your overall health, only one exercise had the biggest impact when it came to improving overall cognitive skills. That exercise – you guessed it – is frequent dancing!
Scientists found that dancing combines many beneficial facets as we age including recreational benefits and creative thinking. It turns out dancing incorporates several simultaneous brain functions like rational thinking, music, and an emotional sense of well being.
For adult students other studies have shown that areas of the brain most affected by aging can be engaged, rewired and utilized before they are lost.If you try new things like dancing, researchers say you are opening up new pathways in the brain that improve mental capabilities. If you keep many brain pathways active and simultaneously generate new pathways, this will help maintain your brain’s health and fitness.
Learn more about the cognitive benefits of dance
Academic Performance
Not surprisingly, the cognitive benefits of dance often translate to academic success.
Schoolchildren exposed to dance may do a better job at mastering reading, writing and math than those who focus solely on academics. Students who take dance lessons often have better listening skills and better recall. They master using several parts of their brains at once (for example, they may be listening to music, remembering choreography, and moving their bodies) to complete a task. In fact, one study showed that “students who participate in the arts are not only more likely to participate in a math and science fair, but also out-perform their peers on the SATs by 87 points” (www.artsusa.org)
And the effects of dance lessons aren’t just a temporary boost. Studies show the benefits of dance continue for years after lessons have ended.
Emotional Benefits
The benefits of dance go far beyond better test scores. Dance helps relieve stress and gives students a healthy outlet for creativity and self expression, helping in building self-esteem and self-confidence. Students participate in a community where appreciation and positive encouragement are held in high value. Kids encourage one another in class. They gain a sense of accomplishment when a dance is memorized or a performance has been executed. Performing on stage in front of an audience gives a dancer exposure to ‘doing or speaking’ in front of others.
Dance has the ability to inspire, move, and empower those it touches.
Here at TMC we look forward to sharing the gift of dance with you.