We know dancing is a great way to exercise and move our bodies. But did you know it’s also an amazing way to strengthen kids’ social and emotional skills? Historically, dance has been an important part of celebrations, ceremonies, and social entertainment in cultures around the world, so it makes sense it makes a major impact on social and emotional learning (SEL). Learn more on how dance can build 4 skills critical to our young kids’ development.
Expressing Feelings
“Because movement has meaning when you dance how you’re feeling,” says Keith, our Dance Squad with Ailey instructor. And it’s true! Dancing provides a strong creative outlet and a powerful way to express emotions. Using the movement of their bodies to share feelings and stories helps kids better understand themselves – and others.
Learn & Play at Home
Ask your child to dance how they’re feeling! How would they dance if they were feeling happy? How would they dance if they were feeling angry? Sad?
Boosting Confidence
Dancing makes kids (and grown-ups of all ages) feel good! As little dancers discover how to use their bodies to dance and learn new routines, they build their self-awareness, which in turn boosts their confidence. Performing the routines they’ve learned – or even improvising their own dances – in front of others bolsters this self-confidence even more.
Learn & Play at Home
After watching Dance Squad with Ailey, help your child put on a performance for your family and/or friends!
Building Friendships & Relationships
Many people love dancing because it’s a fun, meaningful way to connect with others. Since the beginning of dance, people in many different cultures have used it as a way to socialize and celebrate with each other. Collaborating with each other in dance routines also helps kids build skills needed to cooperate and problem solve together. This activity allows them to bond and build relationships with one another by learning steps as a group.
Learn & Play at Home
Make family night a dance night, and throw your own Dance Squad party!
Valuing Diversity
Little dancers can explore different cultures through the diversity of dance. Each episode or class of Dance Squad with Ailey leads kids through a different dance and music genre – including ballet, jazz, hip hop, Latin fusion, West African, and Horton dance. Kids learn about these genres through the variety of steps, movements, costumes, music, and history of each one – helping them to value and celebrate diversity of cultures. Also, as kids dance together, they are able to see similarities and differences between themselves and other dancers, including body types, the way they move, and how they express themselves through dance. Noticing similarities and differences is an important step in valuing diversity and understanding the many different types of people and cultures that make up our world.
Learn & Play at Home
Explore different dance genres through costumes with our Boogie paper doll and her Dino-Mite Dress-Up outfits.
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New content added weekly
Accessible on multiple devices
Downloadable books & games for offline play