The best age to learn dance and the impact on children's growth and development
Shanghai Dongjianzhong
1. The effect of dance on children's growth and development
1.1 Physiological effects
Dance training has a significant positive effect on children's growth and development, especially in terms of bones, muscles and body coordination.
Skeletal development: According to the research in "On the Physiological and Psychological Effects of Dance Education on Adolescents", dance education can promote the growth and development of adolescents' bones, increase bone density, and prevent osteoporosis. Proper dance training can enhance the cell proliferation of epiphyseal cartilage and make the bones stronger.
Muscle development: Dance training improves muscle flexibility and strength by enhancing their nutrition and metabolism. As mentioned in the article "Dancing Kids, Don't Let These Movements Hurt You", dance training improves the coordination and balance of the body, which is essential for the development of children's motor systems.
Body coordination: Dance training requires the coordinated functioning of various parts of the body, which helps to improve children's neuromuscular coordination. According to the research on the current situation of early childhood dance education at home and abroad, dance education plays an important role in early childhood dance education, especially in the improvement of body coordination and motor skills.
1.2 Psychological effects
Dance education also has a positive impact on children's mental health.
Self-confidence and social skills: The Impact of Children's Dance Education on Children's Mental Health and Growth mentions that dance education can enhance children's self-confidence and improve children's social skills and teamwork spirit through cooperation in group dance.
Emotion regulation: Dance, as an artistic expression, can help children express and regulate their emotions. What is the role of dance education in children's physical and mental development? It is pointed out that dance education can help children vent their inner depression and buffer extreme emotions, thereby promoting mental health.
Aesthetics and Creativity: Dance education cultivates children's aesthetic concepts and creativity through the combination of movement and music. "On the Benefits of Children's Dance Education for Children's Physical and Mental Growth" mentions that dance education can stimulate children's imagination and creativity, so that children can experience the joy of creation in artistic activities.
2. The best age to learn dance
2.1 Advantages of Early Dance Education
Early dance education, usually referred to as dance initiation before the age of 6, has a significant positive impact on children's physical and mental development.
Body coordination: Dance education can promote the healthy development of children's muscles and bones, and improve body coordination and balance. Studies have shown that young children who participate in dance activities perform better on body coordination tests than their peers who do not.
Cognitive development: Dance education can enhance children's memory, concentration and creativity through the combination of body movements and music. There is data showing that children who regularly participate in dance activities score higher on cognitive tests.
Social skills: Dance education provides young children with opportunities to interact with others, helping to develop teamwork and social skills. In dance classes, children learn how to communicate and collaborate with their peers, which is essential for their social development.
Emotional expression: Dance is an art form of emotional expression, and early dance education can help children understand and express their emotions, thereby promoting the development of emotional intelligence.
2.2 Age-appropriate for professional dance training
Professional dance training usually takes place after the child has reached a certain level of physical and mental development, which usually occurs during the child's school years.
Physical development: Professional dance training requires a high level of physical fitness, so it is suitable to start after the child's physical development has reached a certain level. It is generally believed that the age of 9 to 12 is a good time to start professional dance training, when the child's physical flexibility, strength and endurance are suitable for more rigorous training.
Psychological maturity: Professional dance training requires a high level of self-discipline and the ability to work under pressure. Around the age of 11 to 14, the child gradually increases in psychological maturity and is able to better understand and accept the requirements of professional training.
Technical foundation: At this stage, children already have a certain dance foundation and technique, and can further improve their dance skills and artistic expression through professional training.
Career development: For children who are interested in pursuing dance as a career direction, the age of 12 to 17 is a critical period for professional training during this period to lay a solid foundation for their future dance career.
3. The role of dance education in children's development
3.1 The positive effect of dance education on children's physical and mental development
As an art form, dance education has a significant positive impact on children's physical and mental development. Studies have shown that children who participate in dance activities have significant improvements in body coordination, muscle strength, balance and flexibility. In addition, dance education has a positive effect on children's psychological development, including improving self-confidence, social skills, and creativity.
Physical development: Dance training can promote children's growth and development, and enhance physical fitness. According to the data of "China Children's Center, China's Extracurricular Education: The Educational Concept and Core of Dance in Quality Education", dance education can promote children's height growth, and children of the same gender and age participate in dance training are on average 4-8 cm taller than those who do not participate in training.
Psychological development: Dance education helps children to express their emotions and regulate their emotions. "The Importance of Dance Education for Young Children - Zhihu" mentions that dance education can improve children's communication skills, and through the interaction in the dance learning process, children can communicate effectively with teachers and classmates, thereby improving their social skills.
Sociability: Cooperative dance forms in dance education can develop children's teamwork spirit and sense of community. "The Role of Children's Dance Education on Children's Growth - Baidu Library" points out that through collective dance training, children can cultivate a sense of teamwork and healthy competition in the process of dance cooperation and competition.
3.2 The Position of Dance Education in Children's Quality Education
Dance education occupies an important position in children's quality education, which is not only an art education, but also a comprehensive education method, which is of great significance to the all-round development of children.
Components of quality education: Dance education is an integral part of children's quality education, which helps to develop children's aesthetic ability, creativity and physical coordination. According to the Educational Concept and Core of Dance in China's Extracurricular Education Quality Education in China, dance education can cultivate children's natural movements, develop students' natural nature, and stimulate students' imagination.
Facilitator of holistic development: Dance education promotes the holistic development of children physically, intellectually, and emotionally through its unique teaching approach. "The Importance of Early Childhood Dance Education - Zhihu" emphasizes that dance education is a basic quality education, which provides enlightening education to children in the form of dance, so as to tap children's potential and promote their development in all aspects.
The embodiment of personalized education: Dance education respects the individuality and characteristics of each child, and helps children explore their own strengths and interests through personalized teaching methods. "The Role of Children's Dance Education on Children's Growth - Baidu Library" mentions that dance education can enable children to feel the charm of dance and help them shape their worldview and values of truth, goodness and beauty.
4. Health and Safety in Dance Training
4.1 Safety of Dance Training
The safety of dance training is a common concern for parents and educators. According to Zhou Zhiguo, deputy chief physician of the Department of Orthopedics of Wuhan Children's Hospital, an appropriate amount of dance training not only does not affect children's growth and development, but can promote physical coordination and musculoskeletal healthy development. At the right training intensity, dance training can increase your child's appetite, promote sleep, and exert some longitudinal pressure on the bones, which can help to grow tall.
Safety Training Guidelines: Dance training should follow scientific guidance and proper training plans to avoid overtraining and premature difficult movements. For example, the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science suggests that sports such as ballet and swimming can start at the age of seven or eight, while some difficult movements or activities that put a heavier load on human tissues should wait until the age of 11~13 to try again.
The importance of professional guidance: Children who train under the guidance of a professional dance teacher can reduce the risk of injury and avoid health problems such as ligament damage.
4.2 Prevent common injuries in dance training
Common injuries in dance training include muscle strains, joint sprains, fatigue fractures, and more. The key to preventing these injuries lies in a sound training plan and proper technical instruction.
Warm-up and stretching: Adequate warm-up and stretching can reduce muscle viscosity and increase blood flow and temperature to the muscles, thereby reducing the risk of injury.
Technical Instruction: Proper dance technique and movement direction are essential to prevent injuries. For example, the right landing technique can reduce the impact of jumping on the knee and ankle joints.
Proper rest and recovery: Proper rest periods should be included in dance training to avoid excessive fatigue and chronic injuries. Proper rest and recovery are essential for the health of your muscles and joints.
Nutrition and hydration: Ensure that your child receives adequate nutrition and hydration during dance training to support recovery and reduce the risk of injury.
Prompt treatment after injury: Appropriate first aid should be taken immediately and professional medical help should be sought to avoid aggravation of the injury.
1. The best age to learn dance
1.1 The starting age of dance learning
According to research, children can start to be exposed to dance between the ages of 3-5 years, and this period is mainly about developing interest and a sense of rhythm. The age of 5-7 is the critical period for learning the basic steps of dance and the training of soft opening, the age of 7-12 is the stage of comprehensive improvement of dance skills and physical fitness, and the age of 13-18 is an important period for the rapid improvement of dance level.
1.2 The Influence of Age on Dance Learning
Children of different ages have different priorities in their dance learning. Younger children pay more attention to the cultivation of interest and basic rhythmic training, while older children can develop more complex dance skills and performance ability.
2. The effect of dance on children's growth and development
2.1 Positive effects on physiological development
Dance training can promote bone growth in children and improve flexibility, coordination and balance in the body. Studies have shown that children who participate in dance training are on average 4-8 cm taller than those who do not.
2.2 Positive effects of psychological development
Learning dance helps to improve children's self-confidence, teamwork skills and sense of collective pride. Through dance performances, children can express their emotions and enhance their ability to express themselves.
2.3 Health Risks of Dance Training
While dance has many benefits for children's growth and development, improper training methods can lead to sports injuries. For example, excessive lower back movements can cause damage to a child's spine. Therefore, dance training requires professional instruction and proper intensity control.
3. The Scientific Method of Dance Education
3.1 Objectives and content of dance education
Dance education should set goals and content according to children's age and physical and mental development characteristics, focusing on the cultivation of interests and respect for individual differences.
3.2 Implementation Strategies for Dance Education
Educators should adopt scientific teaching methods, such as situational teaching and game-based learning, to improve children's interest and participation in learning.
4. The social significance of dance education
4.1 Dance Education and Cultural Inheritance
Dance education is not only the teaching of artistic skills, but also an important way of cultural inheritance. Through dance, children can learn about and experience different cultural backgrounds.
4.2 Dance Education and Social Adaptation
Dance education helps to develop children's social communication skills and teamwork spirit, which has a positive impact on their future social adaptation.
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