It’s a universal truth that kids love music and dancing! From the moment they start bobbing their heads to a catchy beat, it becomes apparent that dancing is a natural, fun activity for them. However, teaching them actual dance steps and routines can sometimes seem daunting.
Luckily, dancing doesn’t have to be complicated. With the proper guidance and basic dance moves, your little ones can turn their living room into their dance floor. Read on as we explore some fun and easy dance moves for kids that they’ll love to perform.
Children’s Involvement in Music and Dance
Children naturally gravitate towards music and dance. Dancing allows kids to express creativity, engage motor skills, and have a fun game-like experience. You see children from a young age swaying, bouncing, or moving to the rhythm of the music.
The activity of dancing helps promote brain development in children. It stimulates different brain parts, improving coordination, timing, memory, and deductive skills. Dance is a form of exercise that requires kids to use both sides of their brains, thinking about the music, the steps, and their coordination simultaneously.
In alignment with developmental stages, toddler dance classes can take off beginning at age three. Children are receptive to social cues, play, movement, and cognitive thinking skills at that time. It is an excellent time to introduce them to basic dance moves and dance classes, setting them up for a lifetime of enjoyment on the dance floor.
5 Dance Moves Children Find Fun and Easy
Introducing kids to simple dance moves is an excellent way to help them improve their coordination and motor skills. Developing these intricate steps starts with refining the simple movements of day-to-day life, like hopping, marching, skipping, spinning, galloping, etc. Here are some beginner-friendly dance moves that children can enjoy.
Chicken Dance
This fun and interactive dance move is a favorite among kids. The steps of the Chicken Dance are divided into two sections, with the first having 16 beats. In the first four beats, actions include ‘mouth talking,’ done by snapping the thumb and fingers together for the next four beats.
Baby Shark Dance
A viral dance craze that swept the globe, the Baby Shark Dance is simple, catchy, and a hit among kids. The dance routine involves making shark bites with your arms, swimming motions, and running away in fear – all movements that children find funny and enjoyable.
Hokey Pokey
A classic dance hit, the Hokey Pokey involves a series of movements where children put a body part in, out, and shake it all about. This dance activity helps kids understand their body positions and the concept of left and right. It’s an excellent brain break-type activity that enhances motor skills while keeping the body loose and energized.
Macarena
This classic dance from the 90s is a simple dance that kids can easily follow. The Macarena involves arm movements, turning, and clapping, making it engaging and fun.
Left and Right
This basic step is a simple dance move that improves coordination between hands and legs. It involves stepping to one side and following with the other leg. This is repeated in both directions, providing a fun lateral movement and balance exercise.
What Type of Dance Music Do Kids Love Most?
Kids have a wide array of dance music they love, from the Kidz Bop versions of popular music to classic dance hits by Chubby Checker or the modern rhythms of Ariana Grande and Justin Timberlake. One of the dance styles that stand out among the crowd is hip-hop.
Hip-hop is a fun, energetic, expressive form of dance. The catchy beats, arm circles, and full-body movements offer a fun, free-form exercise that doesn’t feel like a structured class. It allows kids to feel the music and express themselves freely on the dance floor. For more information on easy dance routines, check out this blog post from our site.
How Kids Improve Their Dance Moves with Dance Classes
Enrolling your child in dance classes can be a fun and educational way to improve their dance skills. These classes, whether they focus on basic jazz dance moves, hip-hop dance moves, or other dance forms, are typically led by experienced teachers who know how to make the lessons enjoyable for kids. It’s a chance for your child to learn new moves, meets other dancing kids, and even build a foundation for becoming an advanced dancer.
For parents interested in engaging their kids in dance, consider enrolling them in On One Studios’ Kids Program. With various classes, your kids can explore different types of dance in a fun, supportive environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have questions? Here are the most popular answers.
Which dance requires the most energy for kids?
Hip-hop dance is an energetic style that targets the entire body, making it an excellent choice for energetic kids. This dance form includes a wide range of styles like breaking, locking, and popping, all requiring high energy.
Can dance be self-taught?
Yes, dance can be self-taught. With resources like online dance tutorial videos, dance YouTube channels, and the prevalence of the internet, anyone can learn to dance at home. However, joining a dance studio or dance class can provide a more structured learning experience and opportunities to learn from experienced teachers.
What type of dance should kids learn?
There are many types of dance, such as ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and modern dance. It’s best to talk to your child about their interests and see what kind of dance they want to learn.
What is the earliest age for dance class?
Many dance studios accept students as young as two or three years old, depending on the child’s motor skills and interests.
Conclusion
Dancing is fun for kids, helping them develop motor skills, express creativity, and have a great time. Any child can become a star on the dance floor with some easy moves and music. Encourage your kids to dance, and if they catch the dance bug, consider enrolling in dance classes.
To explore the options available at On One Studio, check out our sign-up page and kids’ program. Happy dancing!