PICKING THE RIGHT STYLE OF DANCE FOR YOUR CHILD?

So you’re always seeing your child twirling around the lounge room and dancing music makes them want to move. It’s clear your child has expressed an interest in dance, the next step would be finding the perfect dance class for your child. However, there are many dance styles to pick from, especially for a parent with a non-dance background it can be tricky picking the right style of dance for your child. How do you know which style to choose for your child? Which dance style will your child benefit and enjoy the most.

Knowing the different dance styles

Ballet

Ballet is one the most known dance styles. Typically, ballet is the first style taught to toddlers, when they first start dance. Ballet class is excellent for children who excel in a more structured environment, ballet classes teach discipline with a strong focus on posture while still having fun! It is a very graceful and beautiful dance that takes years of practice to master, which means that in the beginning kids aren’t likely to be doing the moves they envision. However, with practice and persistence they will get there. Ballet is a fantastic starting point for any style of dance, after taking ballet classes children will transition easier into other dance styles.

Jazz

Jazz dance is a very exciting style of dance and very appealing for children who love pop music and with big personalities. It is high energy with big movements, jazz is very diverse which is stimulating to kids, especially if they get bored easily. The style is all about improvisation, skill and explosive movements. It is a great style of dance for beginners, however if your child has a foundation of ballet dance they will excel in jazz.

Tap Dancing

Tap is rhythmic, energetic, and loud, which draws a lot of children in. Tap dance is welcoming to anyone who will try and is fun learning the basics. Even if your kid isn’t very coordinated, tap can still be a good fit. Tap is a great option for kids who love to make noise and have fun. The style leads itself well to self-expression.

Contemporary/ Lyical dance

Contemporary/ lyrical dance utilises many moves found in ballet. Often if children have a foundation in ballet dance, they will excel and enjoy this style. It is a modern dance style that requires fluid movements blended from ballet steps. In this dance style dancers focus on telling a story and the emotional connection with their chosen song and the steps they perform. If your child loves to move to music, twirl and leap contemporary/lyrical is a great option.

Hip Hop

Hip hop is an excellent class if your child has energy to burn, opportunity to dance current music and learn moves you see on TV! It has become every popular in recent decades because it offers a chance to free-style and move to a more energetic beat. Hip hop classes are high intensity and allow for a lot of personal flair, making it great for a high energy and creative child. It is also great for a child who gets bored easily, as there are many different styles that come under the hip hop genre. A great class for children to meet friends and grow their personality and confidence. It also requires a lot of body awareness to move certain parts of the body and is a great form of cardio exercise.

Final thoughts…

It may however take a few trials in different styles to pick the right style of dance and in time your child’s preferred style may change from one style to another or you may find the style selected from their first class, may be the style they are forever passionate and eager to learn more about. Regardless, of your child’s personality, music preferences and taste there is a dance style for every child to love and grow passionate about.