Dancing for Kids

Information on dancing for kids in South Africa

Is dance right for your kids?

Some kids seem born to dance, while others are not, but the great thing about dancing is that it is accessible to anyone and is one of the greatest kids activities.

There are many forms of dance in South Africa from classical (ballet) to modern (jazz, hip hop, contemporary dance) through to traditional forms of dance. Dancing classes can begin as young as pre-school. Dancing provides many benefits to children, including:

• Teaching them social behaviour through interaction with other children
• Increasing their confidence
• Instilling discipline and teaching how to follow instructions
• Fostering a love of music and the performing arts
• Providing good exercise
• Helping them express themselves
• Making them feel good
• Providing a fun activity
• Helping with physical co-ordination

Get your kids started!

The curriculum in all schools in South Africa is likely to include dance as a subject. However, the way in which it is taught can vary enormously. Teachers can:

• Emphasise performance and the acquisition of skills relevant to a dance style
• Focus on creativity
• Stress the social aspects of dance
• Use folk and ethnic forms of dance to advance multicultural ideas.

So, the first step should be to talk to your child's teacher to find out what he or she plans to teach your child. This also applies to commercial dance academies, where there will be the same differences in teaching styles.

There is a considerable difference in the fees charged by different dance studios. Fees for classes can vary from R50 – R60 per group lesson, while individual tuition can cost anything from R60 to R200 per lesson.

Some dance academies have pre-school dance and pre-school music classes, which may start for children as young as two or three years old. These lessons are not usually very formal.

With school-age children, you need to decide the following:

• Which of the approaches to teaching dance will most benefit your child?
• What aspects of the school dance curriculum do not cover your child's needs?
• What form of dance is your child interested in?
• How serious is your child on becoming a dance?.
• Where will your child have the most fun and feel most comfortable?

Once you have answered these questions, check the ActiveActivities directory for dance lessons in your local area

You may also like to:

• Speak to other parents
• Check out community board in your local area and at school
• Look around the neighbourhood - if there is a dance studio, the chances are you will be driving past it every day

Expenditure on dancewear does not have to be excessive and may involve at most the purchase of a pair of dance shoes, which can be obtained from various outlets at prices starting from around R60-R100. More elaborate costumes will probably be needed if your child is to enter auditions or competitions.