We all know that dancing is great fun, but did you know that it activates many neural pathways in the brain, helping to keep it strong, active and healthy?

The National Dance Education Organization (NDEO) undertook a review of recent studies of the impact of dance on K-12 learning. It determined that dance is effective because it involves sensory input, holds students’ attention for longer periods of time, helps them make connections between new and past learning, and improves long-term recall.

No wonder then that dance is linked to improved academic skills. Dance students can easily grasp abstract geometrical concepts, are better problem-solvers and their persistence means they are hard workers. 

Not only that, but dancing has been proven to reduce social anxiety, boost self-esteem and increase confidence. The NDEO’s review noted that engaging in dance assists in:

• Lower student drop-out rates

• Enhanced emotional well-being among young people

• Supporting underserved populations, including kinesthetic learners, special education students, and low-income learners

So, next time you wonder if dance is for fun, you’d be right, but it also plays an incredibly important functional role in a child’s emotional, physical and intellectual well-being.

We are fortunate to have expert dance instructors from Nimbus teach our students, not only in our AfterSchool program but also during our summer camp!