Preschool Dance Activities Promote Learning through Movement

Early education is most effective when it’s fun!

And dancing brings the curriculum to life by tapping into preschoolers’ natural curiosity and energy. It combines the power of sensory stimulation with physical movement to make lessons more memorable.

One study published in the journal Social Development randomly assigned a group of preschool students to an 8-week dance program or a control group who received no dance instruction. The researchers found positive results on social competence and behavior for the kids participating in dance.

Keep reading to learn how integrating dance into the preschool curriculum can benefit your child’s growth and development.

Cognitive Development

The National Dance Education Organization points out that preschoolers learn best through movement because it makes new subjects more concrete for young minds.

Dance enhances sensory awareness, boosting your child’s memory and ability to concentrate.
Because it is a pre-verbal form of expression, dance can help with early reading and writing. For example, creative movement can make new vocabulary words easier to remember.
Rhythm and counting make dancing an excellent activity for introducing new math concepts.

Social-Emotional Skills

Physical activities such as dancing promote healthy social skills and self-esteem.

Dance encourages positive social encounters with peers and teachers. This builds social skills like teamwork, communication, trust and respect for others.
Kids learn self-awareness and how to express emotions appropriately through creative movement.
Learning just a few easy steps can lower performance anxiety, so your child may feel more confident participating in group activities or giving a presentation.

Physical Fitness

The American Academy of Pediatrics recently reported that over half of U.S. kids don’t get enough physical activity and that young children, in particular, get less exercise than older kids.

Dance makes moving fun and promotes healthy motor skill development.

Range of motion
Coordination
Strength
Endurance
Good posture
Balance

At Little Sunshine’s Playhouse & Preschool®, we understand the value of hands-on learning experiences that get kids moving. That’s why many locations include dance in the lesson plan.

Check out our previous blogs on how exercise, creative activities and play support early learning:

What Are the Benefits of Physical Activities for Preschoolers?

What Is the Importance of Play in Preschool?

Drama for Preschoolers Brings Fun, Creativity to Early Education