5 mental health benefits of dance for your child

Movement has a significant impact on the mental health of an individual. Mental health professionals often intensify the importance of movement on a daily basis in order to experience endorphins, which have a direct effect on mental health. Evidently, there is an endless variety of ways to incorporate movement such as jogging, swimming, yoga, etc. One of the most fun ways to move is dance, as it functions not just as exercise, but also as a way for one’s body to connect with rhythm, thus sharpening dexterity. Dancing is a great option to introduce to your child as a hobby which checks both boxes of movement as well as mental well-being. Here is a list of ways how dance can benefit your child’s mental health. 

Reduces stress and helps manage anxiety 
Dancing is known to be an effective stress-buster, and has the ability to put the dancer in a great mood. Dancing releases endorphins, which are hormones that help relieve stress and anxiety. With all the stress from school and other such engagements, especially during a pandemic, dancing can help in diverting your child’s attention positively, thus providing a relief from a monotonous routine.  

Improves coordination 
Dancing can have a massive effect on your child’s physical coordination. Hand-eye coordination, keeping up with rhythm and memorising dance steps by repetitive practice will help improve your child’s motor skills. Especially for younger children, this refinement of motor skills will act as a foundation for developing their coordination as they grow older. 

Helps build self-esteem 
Dancing regularly will have a positive impact on your child’s mental health as well as physical health, which in turn will help them build their self-esteem and confidence. This will also help children in being relaxed and calm, which will in tun, enable them have a sharper awareness of things around them while making them more conscious of their feelings and emotions.  

Enhances social skills 
Enrolling your child in a dance class is a fantastic way to improve socialisation skills. It will help him form social bonds and understand the importance of teamwork. Dancing in a group will help your child be more accepting of others and considerate of them, while helping in understanding how to cooperate effectively with others.  

Encourages creative thinking 
Dance does not necessarily require a strict routine, there is plenty of room for improvisation too! It can allow your child to be creative in terms of coming up with new routines and steps, and exploring different types of dance forms.