MA First Week: Dance in Youth... benefits in this age

Hello all, This is my first post for the program. I am really looking froward to the collaborative environment present in the MA program. This week while teaching I was wondering what benefits do young children gain from dance. As teachers we are cultivating youth to be better artists. However, it is not realistic that extremely young students will have pristine technique. That is where the overall energy of dance shines through. Young students are able to form connections with classmates, learn to gain trust, find creative and intrinsic ideas, as well as have a physical practice. This all leads to greater focus, connection, mental strength, creativity, and more. Therefore youth in dance is not merely for technique it is something greater that helps young pupils grow in their own way. This can carry on throughout their life and helps them cultivate discipline. I believe as teachers it is important to look at the mind, body, and spirit in stead of technique and end goals. The journey and growth is important. Teachers also model behavior which students pick up on. Being cognizant in the bigger picture helps cultivate positive and growth mindset environments.