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Grace in Motion: How Dance Helps Kids Grow Strong and Confident
Children naturally gravitate toward dance. If you’ re a parent, you’ ve surely watched some toddlers rhythmically shake their diaper-clad bottoms to a musical beat— it’ s instinctual. But dance is more than just a way to move and have fun.
At Westmoreland Youth Ballet in Greensburg, owner Lacey Barlament brings a strong passion for the art of dance to her students, while also teaching them valuable life skills. The school offers introductory ballet and creative movement for ages 3 – 6 and pre-professional training for ages 7 and up, helping children build physical, cognitive, and social skills from an early age.
PHYSICAL For dancers in the youngest group( ages 3-5), dance builds fine and gross motor skills through playful movement rather than formal choreography.
“ We use rhythmic games, scarves, and match music with emotions to introduce new patterns of movement,” says Barlament.
By ages 5 to 7, children can begin learning simple ballet routines, becoming more aware of how their bodies move in space. This spatial awareness improves balance, flexibility, posture and coordination, while reducing the risk of injury.
Dance also builds strength, endurance, and cardiovascular health, encouraging healthy habits from a young age. Regular movement not only strengthens muscles and joints but also helps children develop a lifelong appreciation for staying active— whether through dance or other forms of exercise.
COGNITIVE As dancers progress from basic steps to formal training, they develop prAs dancers progress from basic steps to formal training, they develop problem-solving, critical thinking, and memorization skills— learning ballet vocabulary( much of it French) and remembering complex choreography. Knowing the difference between plié and relevé is just the beginning. Dancers must also learn challenging choreography to multiple dances.
“ Usually when they get into beginning ballet, they can take on a lot more. They have a pretty solid understanding of the basic terminology, so more formal ballet combinations start to replace creative movement exercises,” says Barlament.
Learning new routines and trying to master new movements can test a dancer’ s patience and perseverance. Mastering a dance often means learning through failure. Growing from those failures teaches children resilience, mental toughness, and confidence.
SOCIAL Dance classes also offer valuable opportunities for social growth.“ For a lot of them, this is their first class setting, and their first time socializing away from their parents,” says Barlament. In class, children learn to cooperate, communicate and empathize— all while focusing on movement and music.
Group dances teach teamwork as students move in sync, take turns, and support one another toward a shared goal. At Westmoreland Youth Ballet, all dancers perform in two annual shows, where students of all ages and levels perform together. This year, Barlament is planning the school’ s first full-length performance of“ The Nutcracker Ballet,” which will be held at Westmoreland County Community College Nov. 22 and 23.
Performing on stage helps young dancers build self-esteem and pride in their abilities. Dance also provides a safe outlet for emotional expression, allowing children to explore and connect with their feelings and those of others— an early lesson in empathy. And perhaps most rewarding, the shared experience of rehearsing, learning and performing together often blossoms into lasting friendships.
If you’ re interested in learning more about the classes offered at Westmoreland Youth Ballet, visit westmorelandyouthballet. com or call 724.680.7212. Classes are offered year-round, and interested children can try a class for free.
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