The benefits of dancing for students with special needs.

There are many dance benefits for special needs students, regardless of their abilities. These include (but certainly aren’t limited to):

1. Physical Fitness

Physical fitness is so important for everyone’s overall health, body and mind. Traditional exercising is boring for many people, but dance is fun. Students can come to class and get their heart rate up, all while having a good time and feeling like they are part of something. Dance moves and routines are scaled to their abilities, such as moves students can do in wheelchairs, with braces, or for those with balance impairments.

2. Flexibility, Strength and Motor Skills

When we dance we make our muscles move and contract, rather than letting the body get weaker, and potentially allowing muscles to get stiff and even atrophied. Luckily, exercise can reverse muscle atrophy and help the body get stronger and more flexible overall. Motor skills are also improved with dance because it focuses on strength and coordination. As we dance, our posture and balance improve as well.

3. Increased Confidence and Self-Esteem

Dance allows students with special needs to be actively involved in their learning. This independence boosts their confidence and self-esteem and can release endorphins in the brain. The act of learning and working towards something gives students a sense of accomplishment and instant gratification thus aiding in self-assurance. A dance class is a fun and safe environment for students to learn and grow. Odds are everyone is learning something new and have not yet mastered any of the skills. While dancing , students are able to bond with other students which promotes better social and interpersonal skills.

4. An Outlet for Creativity and Imagination

There are no rules when it comes to dancing. Sure, there may be some technique involved, but some of the fun of learning choreography is putting a unique spin on what you have learned. Through dance, students can express their emotions in a way that might not be easy to express verbally. They can imagine the best way to move in their minds, and then physically create the movement with their bodies. The music combined with a general idea of how to move can turn into a beautiful display of creative expression. Dance can activate their imagination and light up their brains in new and exciting ways.

5. Stress Relief

It’s no secret that living with mental or physical impairments in a world built for non-disabled people can be stressful. Any exercise relieves stress, but the creative outlet that dance provides may alleviate more stress than other forms of physical activity. Dance can be physically, mentally, and emotionally therapeutic. Students can leave it all on the dance floor, so to speak. When the music comes on, the pain and worry can just leave the room, if only for the time of the class. As your body becomes fully immersed in the movement, your mind enjoys a state of euphoria that can leave residual effects long after the music stops.