Narrabeen Dance Centre's Ignite program is designed to encourage, inspire and ignite the passion of students aged 7 to 9 years.
Students uncover courage, demolish fear become more independent and discover themselves through dance.
Dance is a powerful ally for developing many of the attributes of a growing child. Dance helps children mature physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively.
The physical benefits of dance are widely accepted, but the emotional, social and cognitive attributes have only recently begun to be appreciated.
Physical Development
Dance involves a greater range of motion, coordination, strength and endurance than most other physical activities. This is accomplished through movement patterns that teach coordination and kinaesthetic memory. Dancing utilises the entire body and is an excellent form of exercise for total body fitness. Young children are naturally active, but dance offers new challenges and an avenue to expand movement possibilities and skills.
Emotional Maturity
Dance promotes psychological health and maturity. Children enjoy the opportunity to express their emotions and become aware of themselves and others through creative movement. Children enter a dance class or classroom with a history of emotional experiences. Movement within a class offers a structured outlet for physical release while gaining awareness and appreciation of oneself and others.
Social Awareness
Dance fosters social encounter, interaction, and cooperation. Children learn to communicate ideas to others through the real and immediate mode of body movement. Children quickly learn to work within a group dynamic. As the ongoing and sometimes challenging process of cooperation evolves, children learn to understand themselves in relation to others and how to contribute their ideas to the group, and develop amazing team work skills.
Cognitive Development
Young children will create movement spontaneously when presented with movement ideas or problems that can be solved with a movement response. Movement provides the cognitive loop between the idea, problem, or intent and the outcome or solution. This teaches a child and, ultimately, adult to function in and understand the world.