The Benefit of Dance For Kids

                      

If you have kids, you may be wondering what is the best way to channel their seemingly boundless energy. While traditional team sports are a good way to get your kids physically active, they may not be right for younger children. Dance classes are a great alternative to team sports, and most studios offer lessons for children as young as two or three. Participating in dance classes can be beneficial for kids of all ages.

Improved Physical Health

Dancing is a highly physical activity, and kids who take dance lessons regularly should expect to see a significant improvement in their overall physical health. According to Pro Dance Center, regular dance practice can increase your child's flexibility, range of motion, physical strength and stamina. The repetitive movements involved in dance can improve muscle tone, correct poor posture, increase balance and coordination and improve overall cardiovascular health. Dancing is an aerobic form of exercise. For children who are overweight, it can potentially help them to lose weight and improve their eating habits.

Socialization Benefits

In addition to being a physical activity, dancing is also a highly social activity. According to "FamilyTalk Magazine," dance lessons can help children improve their social and communication skills, learn how to work as part of a team, develop a greater sense of trust and cooperation and make new friends. If your child is shy, enrolling her in dance can encourage her to reach out to other children her age and help to reduce her anxiety about new people or places. Dance can also help to alleviate fears related to performing in front of an audience.

Educational Benefits

Becoming a skilled dancer requires practice, discipline and focus, skills that can be useful in other areas of your child's life. According to "FamilyTalk Magazine," dance lessons can help to spark creativity in young children and help them to develop an appreciation for the arts. Students who regularly participate in dance lessons typically tend to perform better academically than their nonparticipating peers. "FamilyTalk Magazine" estimates that students who have a background in dance tend to achieve significantly higher SAT scores and do better in math and science competitions.

Improved Self-Esteem

As children adjust to the movements and postures required in dance, they begin to get a better sense of their bodies. As they become more comfortable in their own skin, their confidence and self-esteem also improve. Dance lessons can encourage children to foster a more positive attitude and explore their own self-expression. This can be particularly beneficial for children who are physically or mentally impaired or those who are attempting to deal with significant emotional problems.

The Perfect Tutu

Putting together your attire for class can be as fun as the dance itself. With so many gorgeous colors, mounds of tulle and tons of sparkle, dance outfits reflect the style and taste of the dancer, while enhancing the overall performance.

The tutu is an international symbol of the art that has been worn by ballet dancers for centuries, and it was designed to fit the body perfectly while allowing for ample movement, and shaped to flow with the dancer’s steps.

The dress code of a ballet class is an important guideline as it provides the group of dancers with their universal identity, and ensures all dancers will be equipped with the correct type of garment to allow for enough flexibility to perform without discomfort. Consult the dress code before setting out to purchase your dance attire, and stick to its requirements to get the most out of your experience.

There are variations of tutu skirts, and each is easily distinguished by their design. Traditional skirts will either begin at or just under the waist, with which competitive dancers will usually wear a basque or bodice during a performance. These classical tutus are flat, and are often referred to as “pancakes”, with the tulle seeming to stick out from the dancer’s hip. 

A bell tutu is different, as it is usually much shorter than its classical counterpart, and the ruffles are designed to point downward rather than out. This type of skirt is flowy, and will twist and turn with the dancer’s movements. 

The perfect tutu is one that is aligned with the style of the dance, is comfortable to wear, flexible enough to move in and made of quality materials that make it durable enough to last.

The type of tutu you choose to wear will depend on the style of dance, the age of the dancer and the type of performance. Younger dancers, toddlers and small children, are often paired with the more traditional type of tutu in the classic pink or white, while different colors and styles are introduced as the dance routines become more complicated.

 For ballet routines with a modern twist, it’s common to see dancers in brightly colored bell tutus adorned with sparkles and without a traditional bodice or basque, as they can be too restricting for fast-paced performances.  For more classical ballet recitals, we usually find dancers in the traditional white or pink flat tutu, cutting a sheer and sleek silhouette.

The dress code is crucial for all other styles of dance too, such as jazz and tap.

In tap dancing, it’s important for both the dancer and the audience to be able to see the feet, so tap attire is usually designed to show these off. As tap dancers will perform routines as a group in unison, the dress code is even more important here to exhibit a flawlessly executed group number.

While jazz dance recitals may have dancers who are incorporating many different moves into their routine, these performances are usually themed, and performance attire must reflect the style of dance. Jazz music has a fast tempo, and class attire must enable the dancer to swiftly progress from one move to another without restriction. 

Life after the studio........

Life after the studio: My child has danced all these years…now what?

Moms and Dads know that their children’s love for dance can sometimes be a struggle. Early morning classes, constant practice and a child that just won’t sit still can drive even the sanest parent crazy.

With this being said, why do we do it? Maybe because we live for the look of joy on their faces during a recital, or because we want to teach them to stay active. Whatever our reasons, it’s undeniable that dancing can be the portal into the rest of our children’s lives.

Watching your child grow as a dancer is a unique experience. From their very first lesson as a child with their rosy cheeks and clumsy feet, to their focused and flawless transition into the realm of competitive dance - their journey into the world can offer limitless possibilities if they dream, believe and achieve in dance at Karen’s.

For those who take their art seriously, dancing is an excellent way to excel through those often awkward teenage years and into young adulthood. With their best foot forward and a mind on their grades, many dancers will find themselves offered college scholarships and grants for their talents as they grow older. As the college application environment gets more competitive, and more expensive, a portfolio of dancing can sincerely improve your child’s standing against their peers when they come to further their education.

Dancing also allows for many future career options, such as a role in the theatre with major organizations, choreographers, show business, movement therapy and education. For those who want to dance for their salary when they’re older, if they have the enthusiasm and the talent, the career possibilities are endless. 

Even before they head off to college, throughout their high school years they will be presented with many extra-curricular opportunities involving their dance skills, from classes to trips to being an integral part of the school dance squad – their talent becomes less of a hobby and more of a goal.

Dancing shows passion, dedication and confidence - three traits that are vigorously sought out by companies and schools offering grants, scholarships and employment opportunities. Dancers are athletes – their techniques require training and polishing while allowing room for fun. Throughout this development, you may be faced with times when your child wants to give up, but teaching them to commit to their art is an excellent way of preparing them for responsibilities as they grow older.

As children today are smothered with every kind of electronic device available, a devotion to an active, dancing lifestyle ensures their physical development will not be affected by outside influences. While they’re very young, your child likely sees dance as a fun activity without knowing that every class is a workout that requires the use of the entire body.

A commitment to the art is also an excellent way for your child to form relationships within your community. Younger children are likely to form mentor-style friendships with older dancers and coaches, allowing them to evolve and flourish into social beings, creating bonds that can last a lifetime.

Dancing is creative, social and fun. Encouraging your child to hone their talents and dedicate themselves to the art can vastly improve their school and career choices in later life.

So the next time you feel like skipping the studio, remember why you took them there in the first place.

The Life Benefits of Dance

You know why dancers like to be in class- they learn new technique, they have made lifelong friends, they love challenging themselves and they bond with their teachers. Some dancers choose to compete across the state and country to showcase all they have worked for, or move on to full-time careers as professional dancers. What they learn in the classroom, though, is not just dance related;Dancers learn lessons that help them succeed throughout their lives. 

Dancing has been scientifically proven to make you healthier and smarter. Dancing can help you lose weight, stay flexible, reduce stress, make friends and more. It is believed that dance helps prevent you from developing dementia as you get older and enhances your memory. Dance is also a great activity for those at risk for cardiovascular disease, a study noting that those who took up waltzing had improved their heart health significantly compared to those who biked or walked for exercise. 

Whether you have been enrolled in a dance class for one year or a decade, you know that the friendships you build at dance are unlike any other. As a dancer, your instructors are testing your abilities mentally and physically. There aren’t many people who understand all the different kinds of strengths you’re building in those dance classes. 

Your dance friends are there while you are learning how to receive constructive criticism and learning what it really means to work as a team. At the end of the season, your teammates are the only ones who really understand how hard you’ve worked all year to get to that Nationals stage. And they’re also the friends that are supporting you until the lights go out. This is the type of teambuilding that will help them once they graduate and enter the workforce. These are also the friends they will have for a lifetime. 

Every time a dancer attends class, they are learning self-confidence. It takes a lot of courage to perform in front of an audience, whether at the end of the year recital or a competition stage. It takes the same type of courage to go to class and perform in front of their peers. Instructors teach dancers to believe in themselves, and believe that they can achieve their dreams- a lesson that can be applied to every aspect of life. 

**Health facts summarized from EverydayHealth.com

KSD: Where Dancers Come to Thrive

At Karen’s School of Dance, we work to provide a dance education for anyone with a passion for dance. We know that when it comes to dance, students all have different goals, wants, and needs. Some of our students take dance as one of many after school activities, attending class once a week for a high energy and healthy activity. Other students of ours choose to come to the studio multiple days a week to dance at a competitive level, often belonging to high school dance teams or even Company at KSD. Then there are the KSD dancers who commit many hours per week to their craft, many of which dream to dance professionally or for their favorite university dance team. Whatever you are looking to get out of dance, we have it here for you! 

Many KSD alumni have gone on to do some amazing things in the dance world. We have had multiple dancers dance for some of the top university dance teams in the nation, NBA dance teams, and renowned university dance programs and companies. We have also had former KSD dancers dance for popular cruise lines and entertainment companies. Several KSD alumni have gone on to teach and choreograph dance, one of which teaches for a national convention tour. KSD has so much to offer, from the exceptional staff of instructors to the highly sought after visiting choreographers who work with us. We believe having a wide variety of educational experiences is part of what allows dancers to succeed and not only grow but thrive. Our dancers learn from those who are knowledgeable, talented, and passionate. We are here to show you how amazing dance can be.

Enrolling your child in dance is a great way for him or her to make friends, exercise, explore creativity, and relieve stress. KSD is a huge family of people who all love dance, whether they attend class once or multiple days per week. We hope that you will give us the opportunity to show you and your child what KSD has to offer! It is our goal to bring unity, strength, and creativity to all who enter our doors. We look forward to seeing you this summer or in the fall for some exciting new classes!

Behind The Meaning...

Behind the Meaning of KSD’s New Motto

KSD is implementing a new motto for all of the students, parents, and staff members this year. Say it with us now, “ONE TEAM. ONE GOAL. ONE FAMILY.” Karen’s School of Dance has been open for over 25 years, and throughout these years many students have come through the door seeking a place to learn, grow, and fall in love with dance. Anyone who has studied dance can tell you that the bonds that are created in the classroom are incredibly strong, and sometimes even lifelong! It is important for us to convey to all of our dancers that we are more than just a studio, but a thriving family that works together for a common goal. We want to reinforce the idea of supporting one another through thick and thin, and lifting each other up to achieve greatness.

As you may know, there is another motto we use at KSD, and it speaks for itself: “Dream, believe, achieve.” It all starts with a dream. Dancers must visualize their goals, and truly believe in themselves in order to achieve their dreams. Encouragement from not only staff, but fellow students is essential in completing this process. Most importantly, however, is that it’s all about the journey, not the destination. More specifically, it’s not about how many trophies you earn, or how many lead roles you may get, but the character you build and the life lessons you learn in the classroom along the way. THIS is our ultimate goal for our students. We wish to help mold young people into caring, positive, and confident people who love to dance.

So this year we will live by our new motto of “ONE TEAM. ONE GOAL. ONE FAMILY.” Whether you are taking dance for the first time ever, or are working to dance professionally someday, we are one interconnected unit of strength. We will be here for each other through the good times and the tough ones; whether you are struggling to learn the newest technical step or going through a difficult time at school, we want KSD to be a second home in which you can feel comfortable. Some of you are competitive dancers, and some of you play multiple sports, or have many interests besides dance. Some of you are here once a week and some of you are here almost every day. Ultimately, we are all a family. Dancers, we encourage you to communicate with each other! Say hello to a person you don’t know. Make a new friend. Meet a teacher that you’ve never had before. Our goal is to have the best year ever and create incredible memories. Enjoy every minute of it because as the saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun!

A Dance Studio With Heart

A Dance Studio with Heart

The dance world seems to be expanding more and more every year. Dance has made it's way from studios, universities, and theaters to an array of mainstream TV shows, Youtube, and just about every social media site out there. Why is this? It could be that people are realizing that dance can be thrilling for all types of people, and that there are more styles to explore than they may have thought. Parents across the country are searching for the right places that will teach their children not only to dance, but to study an art form that embodies discipline, poise, and creativity all at once.

Students who train at Karen's School of Dance in Highland, Michigan are no strangers to the benefits of dance. Parents and students of KSD appreciate that there are classes for every type of dancer, whether you are a brand new beginning student, or a dancer who dreams to be a professional. At KSD, the atmosphere is very family oriented; studio owner Karen Kern is very involved in the developments and relationships with her students. The teaching staff is highly qualified and extremely professional, yet caring and personable with each aspiring dancer. Students at KSD should expect to learn and grow as dancers and as people in a comfortable and fun environment. The ideal student is one who is respectful to others and simply tries their absolute best! Our staff works to inspire dancers to give one hundred percent to achieve their goals.

Karen Kern opened Karen's School of Dance in 1986 at the age of 17 with a small number of students and one dance room. Currently the studio has expanded to five large dance rooms and is home to around 500 students. KSD has evolved into a highly successful studio with a strong competitive program, offering competition classes for a wide range of ages and levels. Within the community, KSD is known to be home to talented dancers with giving hearts. To name a few, KSD has taken part in "Adopt a Family", "Toys for Tots", and performed in various community events to share the love of dance. Karen works to promote a sense of pride in her students as dancers and as upstanding young people.

Karen's School of Dance provides a dance education that is truly unique in that there is something for everyone! Many studios are either extremely competitive or strictly recreational, yet KSD offers both. As a studio owner, Karen is committed to employing a caring, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable staff to ensure a positive experience for all who enter the doors of KSD.