Ballet classes are so much more than a way to keep your child busy after school.
At Noodle Performance Arts, we believe learning ballet has amazing benefits for kids of all ages, which is why we offer fun and informal classes from the moment your little one can walk. Here are just some of the reasons ballet classes are a great investment of your time and money.
- Strengthens muscles
Ballet might look pretty but it is also a really effective way of strengthening your child’s muscles. The controlled movements help improve general fitness, flexibility and posture, which will help them when it comes to other sports and exercises. Children are naturally much more supple than adults so teaching them to stretch their muscles safely while they are young will help them stay active and flexible as they get older.
- Builds confidence
Learning new skills, dancing in a group and performing in front of others all help build a child’s self-confidence. Even children who are naturally timid and shy will start to come of their shell and take pride in themselves as they pick up different moves and earn praise from their teacher.
- Teaches discipline
Ballet is a very controlled form of dance and mastering the different positions requires determination, hard work and discipline. Good ballet classes take children through the different moves gradually, building on the skills they develop at a pace to suit their age. When a child starts learning ballet, they quickly learn that to get something right they need to listen to their teacher, follow instructions, concentrate and practice – all skills which are useful in other areas of their life.
- Helps creative expression
Being creative helps children cope with challenging feelings and learn to express themselves, which is good for their mental health. Creativity also helps their brain development as it gives them an opportunity to try new ways of doing things.
- Boosts mood
Exercise has been shown to lift mood and lower stress levels and dancing is particularly good at this. Studies have shown dance releases more endorphins – natural feel-good hormones – than typical aerobic movement. It also reduces the levels of cortisol – a stress hormone – in the body so is a fantastic way of shaking off any worries.
- Promotes teamwork
When your child joins a Noodle ballet class, they will meet other children their age and work with them to put together dance routines. Whether it is for a show or simply a performance in class, they will learn to co-operate with each other and work as a team to produce results.
- Provides a solid foundation
If your child is a keen dancer then ballet is a fantastic place to start. Classical ballet will give them a strong foundation which will make learning other forms of dance easier. It teaches techniques and terminology which will prove useful if your child decides to embrace another type of dance as they get older. It also helps youngsters become familiar with the basics of timing, rhythm and moving to music.