| For many parents, what their children get up to outside | | | | making a fool out of myself" or "what would people |
| school hours is a major concern. If they are allowed to | | | | think of me". I know of one or two men who dismiss |
| go out with friends there is a fear of what sort of | | | | dancing out of hand as being girlie, even though it could |
| mischief they may be led into by other children; or | | | | not be further from the truth. |
| concerns for there safety as you do not know which | | | | Possibly the biggest benefit of dancing, outside your |
| unsavory characters they may encounter. | | | | dance class, is that it can be a real family affair. At |
| The other alternative is to go to the other extreme | | | | home dancing can play a major contribution to the |
| and keep them indoors where they run the risk of | | | | success of your child's party, especially if they are able |
| becoming telly or computer game addicts, not to | | | | to dress up in fancy dress costumes such as a |
| mention the adverse affect; lack of exercise can have | | | | ballerina or a policeman; or pretending to be their |
| to their health. | | | | favorite TV, storybook or fairytale character. |
| Learning to dance can provide an ideal solution to this | | | | Because the initial emphasis for a young child is based |
| problem as it provides the following benefits: | | | | more on play, being able to dress up in dance |
| - They would be in a safe, controlled environment, | | | | costumes helps bring a sense of reality as well as |
| - They will meet other children and make new friends | | | | extra fun to the event. It is an essential element in their |
| who have similar interests | | | | mental and emotional development. |
| - It provides a natural outlet for their boundless energy, | | | | When choosing a dance costume for your child there |
| helping keep them fit | | | | are two criteria you need to consider. The costume |
| - Learning different dance moves will help stretch their | | | | must be comfortable to wear and look the part. |
| minds and bodies and maintain their interest | | | | Children can tend to judge themselves by what the |
| - Utilizing the whole of the body performing dance | | | | other children are wearing and will want to wear what |
| moves increases co-ordination, self control and | | | | they consider as being cool so as to fit in. |
| discipline, particularly as they get more advanced. | | | | The other good thing about children's dance costumes |
| The younger a child is when they start dancing, the | | | | is that they can be brought or made very cheaply by |
| more adaptable they are and the more likely they will | | | | improvising through using such things as old clothes and |
| be to continue. This is because they have far fewer | | | | makeup. |
| fears and phobias that adults have such as "Am I | | | | |
