Welcome to Winter!

Dance class is a great place to keep warm this winter.

In recent conversations with parents at the studio, discussion has centered on personal challenges their child has been experiencing at school or in other aspects of life. This prompted me to consider the role Essentially Dance plays in helping your child overcome some of life’s hurdles. Navigating the world can be tricky for kids and teens. Indeed, for adults too!

Just turning up for your dance class is a WIN for any child after a challenging day at school.Physical movement is a great stress reliever. Sometimes kids bring their best, other days less than your best is absolutely ok too! Whatever level of energy and engagement your child brings to their dance class, releasing energy and emotions as you dance is a wonderful healer for the soul.

As the weather gets colder, you may encounter some resistance from your dancer when it comes time to get ready for dance class. This doesn’t mean they don’t enjoy dance. Most likely, it is a resistance to leaving a comfy warm home and having to get changed, get in the car and go out in the cold. On those days (particularly with our youngest dancers) they may need to come in their comfy clothes, and get changed into uniform here. Some days, they may arrive and dance in their street clothes. That’s ok too for a little while. Eventually, at their own pace, they will become comfortable with the routine of putting on the dance uniform.

Children, teens and indeed adults too, feel secure when daily activities are predictable and familiar. With time, this builds confidence and self-esteem.

On the days when your dancer is a bit hesitant with uniform or participating in the class, just focus on STEP ONE, getting in the car and arriving at the studio.

Once at the studio, the caring team at Essentially Dance will work with you to allow your dancer to join in with the group at their own pace. Over time, routines become familiar and the hesitance you once noticed, will be replaced with a dancer who runs gleefully into the studio raring to go!

All my Best

Miss Linda

Linda McKay

P.S.

Below is a list of 5 benefits of dance. Happy reading everyone.

FIVE PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL BENEFITS OF DANCE

1 - Brain Development

Watching and imitating the dance teacher develops listening and understanding, with attention to details = a smarter brain

2 - Self belief and body confidence

Dancers learn to coordinate and control their bodies, developing strength and flexibility. This leads to mastery in both physical and emotional skills.

3 - Community - A second home

Essentially Dance offers a community for our dancers. A space where they belong. Well before they are in their teens, the studio is akin to a second home for our dancers.

4 - Team Spirit

Exam Days, competitions, concerts, learning group routines in weekly classes, all require team work. Examples of this include supporting your partner with jumps, acro skills, spatial placement in choreography and partnering in exams.

5 - Physical and Emotional Health

Balance, flexibility, muscular strength including upper body, legs and core, excellent posture, agility, physical and mental stamina and enhanced memory… just to name a few.

Dance also teaches children how to exercise safely and how to respect and look after their body and mind. It is a fabulous stress reliever