FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM AUGUST 15, 2019 • DANCE • THE QUEENS COURIER 51
dance
Get the kids moving with dance
BY THE QUEENS COURIER STAFF
editorial@qns.com
Dance can really benefi t children’s
health, emotional and mental levels.
Dance involves a greater range of motion,
coordination, strength and endurance
than most other physical activities. Th is
is accomplished through movement patterns
that teach coordination and kinesthetic
memory. Dancing utilizes the entire
body and is an excellent form of exercise
for total body fi tness and enhancing overall
well-being.
Young children are naturally active, but
dance off ers a fun opportunity to learn
new skills and movements. It is widely
accepted that children can and should be
introduced to physical exercise as early as
possible. Dancing helps improve sleep and
improves mood, while children learn to
relax and reduce stress.
Th e International Association for Dance
Medicine and Science and the National
Registry of Dance Educators have done
studies to educate the public on the benefi
ts of dance. Dance is a powerful ally
for developing many of the attributes of
a growing child. Dance helps children
mature physically, emotionally, socially,
and cognitively.
• Dancing can really help to enhance
children’s posture, balance and concentration.
• Dancers don’t slouch because they are
taught how to hold themselves, keep a fl at
back, stand tall and remember your legs.
• Dance helps the body’s circulatory system
as it makes your heart pump blood
faster and fl ow to the brain, which encourages
direct focus and concentration.
• Dancing improves your brain activity.
It helps to develop key skills, such as
coordination, balance, fl exibility, strength,
stamina, discipline and even memory.
• Being active in this way also helps
boost a child’s self-esteem, make them
feel good about their own abilities and
increase their self-confi dence.
Louise Benes, Director of the Louise
Benes Dance Company in Richmond Hill
believes through dance kids learn independence
and feel good about themselves.
If a child can conquer their fears by getting
onstage and performing in front of
an audience, they can bring that to their
everyday life.
• Dance school gets kids out of the
house, away from the TV and actually
moving. It teaches them how to move their
bodies, use their bodies and stay active.
• While childhood obesity is particularly
high these days, dancing encourages
weight control and keeps them in shape.
• Dancing is a good way for kids to
meet other people, make new friends and
improve their social life.
• Dance fosters social encounters, interaction,
and cooperation. Children quickly
learn to work within a group dynamic.
Niall O’Leary, who teaches children at
the Niall O’Leary School of Dance in
Bayside and at the New York Irish Center
in Long Island City, believes dance gives
children a sense of accomplishment, especially
when there’s an appreciative audience
watching them perform.
“It’s an opportunity to have fun, learn
body control and place their feet well. Any
child in a learning program where they’re
using their body is more confi dent. When
children ooze confi dence and hold themselves
well, they’re more likely to achieve
success in life,” O’Leary said.
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