Why teaching children to dance should be universal.

Dance isn't accessible, it is expensive, it is exclusive, and it is hard to maintain. however, dance has many benefits. I propose that dance should be made available for everyone because the benefits are so amazing. I have been dancing since I was 7, my parents didn’t actively seek putting me into classes, but I made the decision to start going to classes with my best friend. luckily, my parents were able to fund my new hobby, so much so that I kept up with it for 12 years.

the benefits of dance.

there are numerous studies that show dance has lots of benefits. It improves coordination, and teamwork, and remembering choreography develops memory skills. Dance also has many physical benefits, it makes you stronger, gives you endurance, teaches you techniques and develops rhythm.

I am not saying dance teaching should be compulsory, because I think that is the wrong approach to this topic, but dance teaching should be accessible. in this current moment, dancing lessons are expensive, the shoes and clothes are also expensive. there is a cliquey nature to dance which I have seen, so access to lessons seem to be about who you know, not just letting a child dance because it is easy to feed a local studio.

I was lucky enough to find a studio that I liked, it became a big part of my development and I developed virtues that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. Equally I also made friends for life, people I wouldn’t have met if I didn’t dance, and that is so important especially due to the number of turbulent relationships people experience growing up.

I grew up doing ballet and tap, as well trying out, musical theatre, contemporary, and jazz. I wouldn’t have it any other way.