There are advantages to your children participating in online dance classes. Being stuck at home isolating away from friends, families and unable to partake in our normal routines is in no way fun, especially for months on end. Although it is evident that online dance classes are not the same as face to face dance classes in the studio, we as children and parents need to reset our expectations.
What is the silver lining?
A sense of connectivity with others
As human beings, we are very social, as are our children. It is evident right now that children are failing to benefit from an important factor of their childhood; Social Connectivity. Missing out on kindergarten, child care and school means they are losing out on countless opportunities daily to socialise with friends and different people outside of their household/family. Moments where they form social connectivity and interact with others, meet new friends, dealing with emotions; whether it be frustration, happiness, fear or empathy. This is one of the greatest challenges for children during this time and it is proven that children need some form of community and connectivity with others for their development and mental health. By participating in online dance classes you are allowing your child to maintain their sense to community and the ability to connect with others through having their time to shine to chat with the class and through interactive activities like show and tell. This is a key element of getting through this quarantine period, as even though we must be socially distant, we do not want our children to be emotionally distant.
Allows a necessary break for parents
Everything is full on at the given moment; we’re working from home, have our children at home to care for, having to maintain normal household duties such as cooking, cleaning, as well as needing to provide some sort of educational learning for our children whilst being at home. As parents we are struggling during this time to manage everything and everyone’s health and mental wellbeing in our household, as well as everything in between. Parents need a break too! Whether it be as little as 45 minutes, so they can put their feet up, have an overdue Facetime call with a good friend or get an important task for work completed. 45 minutes or an hour where your child is entertained, engaged and nagging about being bored at home every 5 minutes.
Creating some routine in the week
Pre-covid days we had routine and structure in our week. Dedicated days or times where we partake in particular curricular activities, structured work/school hours, these in which help break up the week. In this time everyday blends into the next and we are running out of activities at home to do with the kids. Knowing that you have a day and a time locked in for an online class gives peace of mind for you and your child. Giving your child part of their old routine and something to look forward to that happens at the same day and time every week, creating “normality” which children acquire in an uncertain time.
Movement is good for the mind
It is apparent if we want to raise happy, smart and resilient children, we need to let them move! Active physical movement associated with movement found in an online dance class is so good for the brain, releasing the happy hormones known as endorphins to make your child feel good from the inside out! In addition to that movement helps kids learn, improves their memory and increases their motivation. The positive effects of an online dance class is they provide your child with an outlet; a release for their creativeness, together with encouraging the ability for your child to think outside the box. Movement is such a powerful healing tool for the mind, it can heal the stress of which children may be feeling throughout this time from being stuck at home.
Final thoughts…
So, if your child loves music and loves to dance providing them to experience an online dance class where they can meet new friends or interact with old class mates online dance classes are more than valuable to your child. Although, if they are not feeling this from their online dance class, it may be time to try something else.
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