Why Ballet Lessons Might Be the Best Extracurricular for Kids (Even If They Never Dance on Stage)

Contributed post.

Extra-curricular activities are important to have as a child, and the more that are available, the better. These activities shouldn’t just be the go-to, traditional ones that most kids may end up trying out in their childhood. It’s worth exploring what other activities might be interesting for your children.

The only way you’ll be able to find out what works is through trial and error. It’s also worth asking your kids what they’re interested in and finding something that matches it.

With that being said, have you considered ballet lessons? Well, they might just be the best extracurricular activity for your kids to take - even if they never end up dancing on a stage.

The surprising developmental benefits of ballet

There are a number of surprising developmental benefits that come with ballet that not many people would think would be the case. Here are some of the developmental benefits of ballet that are worth knowing about.

Brain health

Your brain health can benefit greatly from ballet as it engages multiple brain regions all at the same time. That helps to improve cognitive function and may provide some benefit in delaying age-related cognitive decline, which is common amongst many of us as we age.

Anything you can do to slow down the cognitive decline in your later years, you’d do in a heartbeat, so make sure you’re doing it for your kids, too.

Problem-solving and creativity

Dancers can often interpret music and choreography very easily the more experience they gain through dancing. With ballet, it’s one of those dancing skills that can help to encourage creative thinking, as well as problem-solving skills.

Memory and focus

With ballet, like many other dance forms, the dancers have to learn and remember complex choreography. As such, learning these moves off by heart helps to strengthen memory and requires an intensity in regards to concentration to help maintain success in the classroom, as well as anything you might be doing eventually on a professional level.

If it doesn’t end up transpiring beyond the classroom, then these skills are something you can varry into further academic and daily life.

Motor skills

Ballet is useful in developing fine motor skills, coordination, balance, and improving overall motor development. These motor skills are important to have, especially as you get older and you need to keep your stability maintained.

How ballet builds confidence beyond the studioBallet is a great way to build confidence beyond the studio. Whether you choose to pursue ballet further or not, there are a number of advantages for your children in taking up ballet in their spare time.

Self-confidence

Boosting your little one’s self-confidence is certainly something that can do wonders for their development. It’s not just beneficial in extracurricular activities such as this one but for situations where they might need that confidence in the future.

Whether it’s personal growth or work effort that needs to be made, having self-confidence can be a great quality to have for the future. Self-confidence is something that many youngsters can struggle with when they’re young, so it’s worthwhile having an activity like ballet to boost their confidence. 

Self-expression and emotional awareness

When it comes to dance, it’s a form of self-expression, as well as providing emotional awareness. Individuals who do dance like ballet can often better communicate their feelings through movement.

That emotional awareness and intelligence are really important to have, not just in their childhood but to carry with them further along in life.

Resilience and grit

Ballet requires a focus and dedication that often also pushes the boundaries of what’s comfortable. The persistence in effort and to master new techniques are essential for building success.

Strong work ethic

A strong work ethic helps to teach youngsters about the importance of consistency and hard work. That sense of accomplishment that boosts self-belief can also be used in all aspects of their life as they grow.

Teamwork and social skills

Group and partnered work in ballet, much like in other forms of movement and sport, helps develop teamwork and collaboration skills. It also encourages students to connect with others, build confidence, and communicate more effectively. To experience these benefits, you can search for “dance classes near me” and join a program that fosters both social and artistic development.

A positive self-image

There’s a lot of progress that can be made within a nurturing environment. Along with positive reinforcement, it helps to build a positive self-image and a self-assurance in one’s body, both emotionally and physically.
​
Choosing the right program for your child’s personalityWhen it comes to finding the right extracurricular class in dance, it’s important to make a few considerations. 

Is your child introverted or extroverted? If your child is shy or more introspective, then ballet or contemporary dance might be the preferred choice, as it can help to build confidence and technique within ballet.

Energy levels are also something to think about when it comes to your little ones. You might find that your child naturally gravitates towards styles like jazz or hip-hop. If they prefer calming, more flowing movements, then a class like ballet might be perfect for them.

All kids have different preferences when it comes to their music tastes, and so it’s good to be mindful of what musical preferences your little one has.

It’s worth paying attention to their musical preference in relation to what reactions they have when listening to certain music. They might like more upbeat melodies or something calmer and more classical in nature.

Many aspects of ballet can prove beneficial, but it’s important to know what your kid needs and wants from their extracurricular activity. They’re the ones doing it after all, so it needs to be enjoyable for them too.

Ballet is a fun activity to do and a part of dance that many find their love for dancing to begin with. With that being said, use these tips to get the most out of your ballet lessons and to ensure your child boosts some of their skills that they’ll need to nurture and grow later on in life.