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Writer's pictureCarlos Rangel

It's time to start dancing!

The time to start dancing is now!

Energetic, motivated, driven, disciplined, interested… words you want to use when you are talking about your child.   How can you contribute to these positive traits in your kids?  While the “nurture vs. nature” debate may continue, clearly, as a parent, you want to give as much as you can to the nurture side.  Some kids, it’s true, are born with it; but without the support and care from parents, any natural ability, vocation, or skill will not thrive.  When these thrive, however, self-assuredness comes fast behind and those positive words that this article started with, will follow.


Child actor with big smile

A relationship between arts education, academic achievement, and character building is not just anecdotal.  There is plenty of scientific evidence that shows how getting your kids involved in artistic activities contributes to other positive outcomes such as discipline, self-confidence, and higher academic achievement.  Research studies demonstrate that the arts (including dance, drama, music, and visual arts) provide mental links for students to develop crucial thinking skills and the motivations they need to achieve at higher levels in and out of school. A recent report published by the Arts and Education Partnership reviews more than 2,000 studies regarding arts and education outcomes, including several academic peer-reviewed reports on the relationship between dance education and students' academic achievement.  These studies, published in as diverse outlets such as the Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology and the Journal of Aesthetic Education, outline that dance, like other types of art education, enhances reading and language development, spatial reasoning and understanding of mathematical concepts, fundamental thinking skills, motivation and social behavior.


Dancing enhances and complements reading instruction by associating letters, words, and phrases with movements, sounds, and meanings. Like music instruction, dance instruction develops spatial reasoning and spatial-temporal reasoning skills, which are fundamental for understanding and using mathematical ideas and concepts.  Dance, music, and other forms of art activities improve social behavior and nurtures motivation, including active engagement, disciplined and sustained attention, persistence, social tolerance and risk-taking, increasing also regular school attendance and retention, educational aspirations and community engagement.

Girls in canvas ballet shoes

Dance helps in the formation of a positive personality with a strong work ethic, good teamwork and spirit, independence and drive to achieve personal bests.  Further, studies have shown that for certain populations -- students from economically disadvantaged circumstances, students needing remedial instruction, and young children -- the effects of dance instruction may be especially robust and able to boost learning and achievement. Ironically, however, when we think that this evidence will compel educators to think twice before cutting the arts if their goal is to increase student academic achievement, Florida is implementing a 3-year high school option that considers art and physical education superfluous. Outrageous (but the topic of another article).


Dancing is positive also as a bonding parental experience, creating memories of shared activities toward a goal, such as a recital, a performance or a competition. The scrambling of rehearsal and practice schedules, fundraising, costume mending, program printing, etc., creates a special bond between all involved, shared afterwards in photographs, videos, programs and other mementos that will be treasured forever.  Special friendships are made between children with common interests and parents that would otherwise would not have met.

Often, I am asked, “When can my daughter start dance lessons?” or, conversely, “Is it too late for my son or daughter to start dancing?”  In practice, this depends primarily on a single factor: the inclination and interests of your child.  To be part of dancing, at any age, many opportunities exist in South Florida.  There are dance academies that will take children as early as two years old for creative movement activities.  On the other hand, many academies have teen and adult classes from beginners to advanced levels.  Some professional Broadway dancers started going to dance academies after high school!  And there are tappers and hoofers, even professional ballet dancers, that started in their twenties.  A recent article in a regional newspaper showcased a recital held in the Hollywood Performing Arts Center, of adult dancers between 30 and 60 years old. Many

establishments in our area offer adult classes for people who want to maintain their vitality and energy with a fun physical activity, and it doesn’t have to be just ballet, jazz or tap; there is modern dance, lyrical, hip-hop, Latin dance, ballroom dancing, swing, flamenco, belly dancing, you name it! Dancing is a positive experience that leads to energy, motivation, drive, discipline, and interest in life, community, participation, and celebration for all.  Right now is a good time to start dancing!

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