Dance is one of the first formal extra-curriculum activities for most kindergarten students for a good reason. But did you know that exercise and movement are vital in the process of learning? Why not use dance as a fun way to get moving and be active, while also helping your child get a head start on learning?

Performing arts encourages learners to use coordination and orientation of their bodies. This creates body awareness but at the same time stimulates the brain in a creative way that opens up pathways that encourage better learning at school. The movement of the body is crucial to developing spatial awareness. Not only is performing arts creative but being in a group setting encourages interaction and better communication

between learners.

Dance as a Way to be Creative

For some people, dance and performing arts are their way to let loose. Students who study art are four more times likely to be recognized for academic achievement, according to DoSomething. Also, it increases the chances of being awarded for school attendance by three compared to those that don't do some form of art.

How Dance Can Improve Learning

What other factors of dance improve your child's ability to learn? Most of the time, in performing arts one works in a group which encourages teamwork and group work, which are skills needed in the classroom. Ultimately, it will improve the child's confidence to participate in group work situations in the school and learning environment.

Dancing to Improve Maths Skills

Dancing includes counting and repetitive movements that require the learner to remember sequences to put the moves together to create a cohesive piece. This has been shown to improve maths skills – constantly counting

the steps.

Benefits On Group Work and Listening

Dance and performing arts class is fun, so students don't realize that they are learning. Often there are lyrics involved that help increases one's vocabulary. Also, the instructions given by the dance instructor to the students must be followed, hence listening skills are put into place and, this is what students need at school – good listening skills and the ability to understand what is being asked. Dance takes a certain amount of discipline and willingness to get the moves right. Students' determination is put to the test and teaches them to never give up on what needs to be done!

Dance can be seen as a tool for improving schoolwork and behavior in the classroom. Ultimately, dance is a great all-around activity that fires all aspects of the brain that are used in the learning environment. To get your child started in the performing arts, contact us at RISPA today!