Why Dance Matters in Our Children's Education

Katya Virshilas
Jul 22
4 min read

Recently at a dinner party, I spoke with a frustrated father who insisted his son should spend time studying in the library or practising sports instead of participating in the school’s dance unit. He described the dance unit as a "waste of time," arguing that his son, an elite athlete, should be training. If training wasn’t an option, he believed studying was the only productive alternative.

I tried to explain the importance of dance for both physical and social development, but he remained unconvinced. This conversation left me reflecting: why do so many people underestimate the value of dance in education?

Dance: More Than Just Movement

When compared to sports and academic activities, dance often leads to more significant improvements in well-being. High-quality dance programmes have the power to transform a school’s culture, raise aspirations, and enhance its profile in the community.

As a compulsory part of the National Curriculum for Physical Education (PE) in the UK, dance enriches students' lives by combining artistic expression with physical activity. Beyond individual benefits, it contributes to the overall culture of schools by fostering creativity, collaboration, and inclusion.

Research, such as the study "The Positive Effects of a Combined Program of Creative Dance and BrainDance on Health-Related Quality of Life as Perceived by Primary School Students", supports this, showing how integrating dance significantly enhances students’ physical, mental, and social well-being.

The Role of Dance in Physical Education

This father’s dismissal of dance as "unimportant" reminded me of a common challenge: convincing others why dance matters. In the U.S., national and state standards mandate dance in PE curriculum, but many teachers still shy away from teaching it. Often, it’s because they feel awkward about their dance abilities.

The irony? Many of these PE teachers are former elite athletes who themselves never learned to dance. Yet, dance offers skills that are critical for athletes, students, and everyone in between.

Why Dance is an Essential Skill for Students

So, why should we teach dance in schools? It’s one of the most important skills students can learn in physical education.

Dance fosters spatial awareness, rhythm, and timing, all of which are vital for sports and physical activities. It improves cardiorespiratory endurance, flexibility, and coordination - key components of fitness that enhance performance and reduce injuries.

But beyond the physical benefits, dance teaches life skills. It provides opportunities to collaborate in a non-competitive, co-ed environment, fosters creativity, and encourages self-expression. And let’s not forget - it’s simply FUN! There’s nothing quite like the joy of moving freely - jumping, spinning, leaping, and dancing to the best tunes.

Dance in Pop Culture: Connecting With Students

To make dance relevant, we need to connect it to students’ lives. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and popular movies feature dances that kids already know and love. By integrating these dances into PE classes, we create an instant connection and show students that dance isn’t just something they do in school - it’s part of their culture.

Some of the world’s best football players, like Vini Jr., often celebrate with dance moves. Their agility, speed, and footwork are partly rooted in their cultural background of dance. These stories resonate with students and highlight how dance can enhance athletic performance.

The Importance of Qualified Dance Instructors

Teaching dance isn’t just about knowing the steps. It requires engaging students, creating a supportive environment, and addressing diverse needs. A great dance teacher doesn’t just teach choreography - they inspire students to move with confidence and creativity.

Investing in qualified instructors and dance programme providers is essential. Just like taking a math class doesn’t make someone a math teacher, attending a dance class doesn’t qualify someone to teach dance effectively. Schools must prioritise hiring skilled professionals who can bring the magic of dance to life.

Dance and Whole-School Development

At BallroomBees, we’ve designed a curriculum in collaboration with top early childhood specialists, professional dancers, and educators to enrich students’ lives through dance. Programmes like "Around the World with BallroomBees" and "Go For Gold" combine cultural exploration with physical activity, teaching students about rhythm, movement, and teamwork.

Our focus on spatial awareness, obstacle courses, and creative movement ensures that children not only learn to dance but also develop life skills such as confidence, coordination, and collaboration.

The feedback from parents, teachers, and principals has been overwhelmingly positive. By integrating dance into the school curriculum, we’re fostering well-rounded, confident individuals who thrive inside and outside the classroom.

The Impact of Dance on Athletic Performance

Dance isn’t just for artists - it’s for athletes, too. Legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant used dance to improve their rhythm, coordination, and overall athleticism. Athletes like Lynn Swann, Herschel Walker, and Kristi Yamaguchi credit their success to the movement skills they learned through dance.

Dance enhances balance, flexibility, and agility, giving athletes a competitive edge while also nurturing creativity.

Conclusion: A Little Rhythm Goes a Long Way

To that frustrated father, I’d say this: Dance isn’t a distraction—it’s an opportunity. It’s a way to boost your son’s athletic skills, enhance his well-being, and give him the confidence to thrive in all areas of life.

Dance fosters creativity, connection, and joy. It builds well-rounded individuals who are just as comfortable on the dance floor as they are in the classroom or on the field.

So, next time you hear someone ask, “Why teach dance?” remind them: