Why teach dance in the primary school?

Helps develop the ability to express and communicate feelings through movement
Helps develop awareness of body movements
Helps to develop spacial awareness
Helps to develop composition skills
Develops an appreciation of different dance styles
Contributes to art and cultural education
1. Good mode for cultural expression
Promotes fitness in a different and creative way
1. Helps develop creativity
2. Children often find dance lessons fun
  1. More children are likely to engage
A vehicle to interpret other subjects through rhythm and choreography, for example maths, geography and literacy
Develops wider aspirations, i.e. a child wanting to become a dancer
Benefits both gross and fine motor skills
1. Larger movements with the limbs and upper body help to develop gross motor skills
2. More intricate movements, i.e. movements with the hands, wrists, ankles and feet , help to develop fine motor skills
Helps to develop self-confidence and awareness
Helps develop social skills
1. Children have to collaborate
Can help to develop focus and memory
1. Especially when they are creating their own routines

Resource summary

	Created by Hannah Fox about 8 years ago