5 Ways Dance Develops Physical Literacy
The concept of physical literacy has only recently begun to infiltrate the world of dance education and dance studios. Dance institutions have, for a very long time, provided teaching frameworks and methods based on internationally set standards for technique within specific dance genres. Like the paradigm and perspective shifts that have occurred in the sport and education sectors, the dance sector is being challenged to grow past traditional technique-based teaching towards programming that facilitates the development of all aspects of physical literacy: physical competence, confidence and motivation.
Here are 5 ways that dance can help develop physical literacy:
1) Dance develops fundamental movement skills
Similar to how the ABCs are the foundation of reading and writing, fundamental movement skills are the foundations to a healthy, active lifestyle. Skills such as jumping, skipping, galloping, rolling, balancing, throwing, dodging can be integrated purposefully into dance activities and choreography so that students can develop these key skills through their dance experience.
2) Dance explores different types of movements.
Hip Hop, Bollywood, African, Belly dance, Jazz, Tap, Ballet – there are many different genres of dance for students to explore, each with its own movement vocabulary and intricacies. Multi-disciplinary learning allows students to make connections and develop transferable skills not only across dance genres but across different physical activities and sports.
Don’t believe me? Check out these rhythmic basket-ballers.
3) Dance fosters a connection to self
Dance provides an opportunity for individuals to play with and present their stories, ideas and interpretations through music. Creative thinking and self-expression are important aspects of one’s overall health and well-being, and dance is a very effective platform where these skills can be fostered.
4) Dance Helps to develop a sense of community
Dance is an activity most often learned and performed with others. From dance crews to classroom brain breaks, dance fitness classes to celebrations, people gather together to unite with others in rhythm with the music. These connections foster a sense of connection, community, and belonging all of which are critical elements to one’s positive mental health and wellbeing.
5) Dance develops confidence…
In a well-taught dance program, all students (regardless of their ability, body type or skills) should be coached to feel confident with dance. By learning, refining and mastering a challenging skill (including remembering choreography or learning technique) in a positive and supportive context, students develop a sense of achievement, which leads to the establishment of a sense of confidence. This confidence with movement will impact the value that they place on physical activity as an important element in their life.
…and that leads to motivation
The motivation to choose to live a healthy, active life is based on the accumulation of one’s life experiences with physical activity. Dancing is a special type of activity that provides different levels of engagement and styles to choose from. Whether through individual study, solo performances, group classes or flash mobs, technique or freestyle, popular genres or fusion, the variety of music types and dance genres can have a significant impact on influencing individuals to enjoy making dance part of their life.
Through community recreation programs, local studios, competitive dance circuits, individual study, drop-in fitness programs, physical education or in-school workshops, dancing can play an important role in the development of physical literacy as part of a lifelong healthy active lifestyle. As the awareness of the importance of physical literacy continues to grow, dance programs have an opportunity to provide meaningful and purposeful programs to children, teens and adults by ensuring that all three domains of physical literacy (physical competence, confidence and motivation) are addressed in any dance program.
Click here to learn more about DANCEPL3Y in-school physical literacy programs.