Can Dance Classes Help to Improve Resilience?

If you’re looking for an activity for your child to keep them moving, and improve their creativity, it’s hard to go past dance lessons. But did you know that dance classes can also be a great way to build social skills?

Because of the nature of dance, being a physical and creative activity, it has been shown to help to nurture resilience in developing children.

According to resources from Beyond Blue, this is because activities like dance have the capacity to allow children to take healthy risks. Skills in resilience can be gained from things as simple as being the leader in class, working with others in partners, or encouraging volunteering to assist others.

One of the most important skills for building resilience is having a sense of self-confidence. A stronger sense of self is achieved as students learn to master new skills and receive positive feedback for their hard work. More self-confidence means students have an improved ability to get along with others and cope with challenging situations.

Another important skill dance can help to build is communication. Taking part in dance classes helps us to communicate with others both verbally and non-verbally. Students are encouraged to socialise with others in classes and in drink breaks, as well as collaborate with others in their dancing, all of which can be tools to support the development of resilience in children.

Dance Factor is a Wollongong-based dance studio, offering classes in all styles for all ages and abilities. If you are interested in enrolling or trialling a class or have any general enquiries contact info@dancefactor.com.au.

References:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10465-020-09335-6

https://resources.beyondblue.org.au/prism/file?token=BL/1810_A