5 Benefits For Young Children And Teens Participating In Dance Exam Sessions Within Dance Schools

Dancing is something rather nostalgic to those of us who are now fully grown. Often adults will say, “gee I wish my mother had pushed me to stay in dance classes such as ballet and tap when I was little and not listened to me when I said I wanted to stop!” We tend to look back at these early years and recall and realise that we were in a good lifestyle routine.

1) Dance exams help to instill dedication and commitment in children and teenagers.

The young dance students must have a good work ethic to keep up with the work which is being taught to them within the dance school by their teacher. The young dancers must also think for themselves and many dance teachers will ask them to practice their exercises at home in the hope that the dance student will grasp and show great signs of improvement week on week. It is after all a two-way street!

2) A sense of responsibility.

The words ‘exam’ or ‘show’ can be quite daunting, especially to our youngest of dance students. It is the responsibility of the dance teacher to make this event seem like it will be a fun presentation of their dance, for a very important visitor who will give them good marks, so that they will be able to learn new dance steps.

A sense of responsibility is also evoked within the young dance students, to be in control of something for themselves, something that they understand they can do and are very capable of, that the outcome is dependent on them.

3) Exams are a way of measuring personal development and personal progression.

Everything in life has a standard, a bar, a grading system. The majority of us excel in life when goals and challenges are put in front of us. Through dancing from an early age and participating in exam sessions we are able to learn this life process and find our coping skills. More importantly we develop ways of coping with many other challenges, that also come our way. As the dance lessons get increasingly more difficult in ability level, we as dancers are therefore improving and the dance certificate assures us of that.

4) Discipline, respect and gratitude is encouraged naturally.

It is true that there are certain manners and ways of approach that are required to dance lessons. The only thing practiced in a dance studio is dancing. That may sound like stating the obvious, however there is an understanding from all that to succeed there is a level of self-discipline required, to put yourself week in and week out through the paces to get the results that you wish. The level of respect between yourself and your teacher is a positive force that counts for many situations in the world today. The dance students learn to appreciate the hard work and the belief that another does and has for them.

5) Achieving something and feeling successful.

It is a great moment to receive dance examination results, to see the smile on the young dancers faces appear when they hear the news that they and their friends have all successfully passed. The joy often bounces right out of the dance studio and into the arms of their parents or guardians. Many families today take the opportunity to enjoy a special treat or a nice day out to celebrate the achievement. This is so impacting on children’s confidence, knowing that it is all because of something they did! When you think about it, all they did was something they already love to do, it’s that simple and the benefits certainly do set up great foundations for the future.