5 benefits for young children and adolescents who participate in dance exam sessions within dance schools
Dancing is something quite nostalgic for those of us who are already adults. Adults will often say, “I wish my mom had pushed me to stay in dance classes like ballet and tap when I was little and she hadn’t listened to me when I said I wanted to stop!” We tend to look back on these early years and remember and realize that we had a good lifestyle routine.
1) Dance exams help instill dedication and commitment in children and adolescents.
Young dance students must have a good work ethic to keep up with the work that their teacher is teaching them within the dance school. 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 pick up and show great signs of improvement week after week. After all, it is a two-way street!
2) A sense of responsibility.
The words ‘exam’ or ‘show’ can be quite intimidating, especially for our youngest dance students. It is the responsibility of the dance teacher to make this event look like a fun performance of her dance for a very important visitor who will give them good grades so they can learn new dance steps.
A sense of responsibility is also evoked among young dance students, to be in control of something for themselves, something they understand they can do and are very capable of, that the outcome depends on them.
3) Exams are a way to measure personal development and personal progression.
Everything in life has a standard, a bar, a rating system. Most of us excel in life when presented with goals and challenges. Through dancing from a young age and participating in exam sessions, we can learn this life process and find our coping skills. More importantly, we develop ways to deal with many other challenges, which also come our way. As dance lessons get more and more difficult skill level, we as dancers are getting better and the dance certificate assures us of that.
4) Discipline, respect and gratitude are naturally encouraged.
It is true that there are certain modes and forms of approach that are required for dance classes. The only thing that is practiced in a dance studio is dancing. That may sound like stating the obvious, however, it is understood that success requires a level of self-discipline, to push yourself week after week to get the results you want. The level of respect between you and your teacher is a positive force that counts for many situations in today’s world. Dance students learn to appreciate the hard work and trust that another does and has for them.
5) Achieve something and feel successful.
It is a great time to receive the results of the dance exam, to see the smile on the faces of the young dancers when they hear the news that they and their friends have successfully passed. Joy often leaves the dance studio and reaches the arms of their parents or guardians. Many families today take the opportunity to enjoy a special gift or a nice day to celebrate the achievement. This has a huge impact on children’s confidence, knowing that it’s all because of something they did! When you think about it, everything they did was something they loved to do, it’s that simple and the benefits certainly lay a great foundation for the future.