Dance is a language we can all speak: it’s fun, free, and easy to share across languages and cultures. For growing bodies and minds, however, dance can be a whole lot more. Music and dance can be used to practice essential skills, such as self-regulation and flexible thinking. Music and dance helps children develop these important skills as they help us learn to connect with others in spontaneous and natural ways. Read on for idea and activities to express yourself through dance!
Articles
“Dance With Me!:” How Kids Can Learn Through Dance
Learn how to help your child develop important social and emotional skills through dance.
Get Smart With the Arts!
The arts can improve children’s school skills and “smarts”. Activities like singing, playing instruments, dancing, and drawing can help children be better at math, science, and literacy.
Turn to the Arts to Boost Self-Esteem
While exploring the outside world through art, art-related activities help children with an important inner transformation: building confidence.
Hands-On Activities
Dance Party
Try some of these dance ideas with your child!
Learning Memorization Strategies Through Dance
Give your mind and body a workout by choreographing a multi-step dance with your child.
Step-by-Step Dance
Play this dance game for some creative fun!
Practice Self-Control by Playing Freeze Dance
Here’s a jazzy way to help your child practice self-control by combining music with this "freeze" game.
Learn to Hoof Dance With Donkey Hodie
25 min activityThis family dancing activity is a great way to have fun and incorporate physical movement into your day! Sing along with Donkey Hodie and Grampy as you learn the steps with your child.
Dance Party
Create a dance routine for your family with these printable dance step cards.
Games and Apps
Pinkalicious Dance Game
It's time to dance! Learn some new Pinka moves with Pinkalicious or play freeze dance with Peterrific.
Letter Dance Party
In this game, your child can practice letter recognition and dance with Big Bird and Snuffy.
Chicken Dance
In this Peg + Cat game, your child can learn about patterns by helping create a dance for Peg's chickens.
Dance Party
Encourage your child to move and dance in this dance party game featuring Daniel and his friends. Each child has a unique themed dance and everyone does their moves in their own special way.
Carmen's World Orchestra
In this game, Carmen is putting on a concert with instruments from Mexico, India, and Egypt. Players can interact with the Carmen, Andy, and Leo to hear their solos or the instrument buttons to contribute to the concert.
Party at Alma's
There's a party at Alma's house! Your child can help prepare games, food, and songs for the guests.