Dancing is great for the body and mind... and maybe even the planet
You might have noticed there are lots of dancing activities in the app. While we're not your toddler's personal trainer, we do love to celebrate the delights of dance, because it's brilliant for your toddler in so many ways!
Dancing releases lots of energy
Our energy levels vary frequently, but when we dance, we have control over how much is used.
Dancing can be very energetic, and it's likely that your toddler will prefer to dance in this way.
Yet dance can also be slow and calming. Flowing movements of the arms come together with body movements that are gracefully twisted and turned.
Dance introduces rhythm
We move using a natural rhythm when walking, and dancing harnesses this and turns it into something magical.
Over time, your toddler’s natural rhythm will develop, and you’ll see them maybe sway, clap or wave their arms when listening to music.
Dancing raises an awareness of space
When dancing, your toddler may move from one leg to another, changing direction and moving closer and further from other people and objects.
The whole body is involved in dancing
From the tiny toes of your toddler to the hairs on their head, every part of the body is used in dancing!
You’ll see your toddler’s facial expressions change as they experiment with moving all their body parts, sometimes harmoniously.
It’s personal
Everybody dances differently, and your toddler is no exception. Music is felt in the body and mind, and it brings out different emotions. These feelings can cause the body to move in a range of ways, from toe-tapping to full-on body flailing.
...and you may be surprised to know that many people dance to save the world!
Dancing has been used to create renewable energy for well over 10 years!
Ideas started in the Netherlands with the idea of sustainable dancefloors that store, convert and generate energy created by people moving,[1] and now a club in Scotland stores the heat generated by dancing and uses it to heat other parts of their building.[2] This idea was pitched at the COP26 conference where world leaders were discussing climate change, so may become more common in the future.
At home, when your toddler dances, as well as having fun they also create heat. It won’t be enough to power your house, but it might mean they want to strip off a few layers, which could save on laundry costs!
References:
[1] Stef van Dongen Inventions, Patents and Patent Applications - Justia Patents.
[2] Dancing to save the planet. (2022) The Week Junior. 22/10/2022.