Ballet and dance classes offer a whole host of benefits for your child, from physical to emotional, developmental and educational – it is a fantastic and, most importantly, a fun way for them to learn and develop new skills.
From as early as 2 years old, it is a great opportunity for your toddler to develop their social skills as they interact with others and learn to take instruction from the teacher. Whilst there remains a level of discipline, the atmosphere is relaxed and un-pressured, so that they can feel confident and independent as they are praised and encouraged in learning something new.
The exposure to music and movement at this early age will help to develop their sense of rhythm and even help in their numerical skills as they learn to move in time with the music. The physical benefits are numerous, helping to improve strength, balance, agility, co-ordination and even helping to develop good posture. NHS guidelines state that children who can walk on their own should be active for at least 3 hours every day – a 45 minute dance class is the perfect way to incorporate physical activity into your child’s day whilst keeping it fun and interesting.
What’s more, as your child progresses through the classes, learning more and more every time, they will become more self-assured, developing a sense of pride and accomplishment that can only come with mastering a new skill. It can be a wonderful way of boosting self-esteem in even the shyest of children, as the classes are a safe, fun space where they will receive praise and encouragement as they learn at their own pace.