Ballroom dancing 'improves pupils' behaviour, motivates them to exercise'
22 Jun 2009, 1753 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

London, June 22 Ballroom dancing not only helps improve children's behaviour but motivates them to exercise, researchers have found.

An evaluation of a national dancing initiative found that kids' attitudes to exercise changed because of the introduction of dance to PE lessons.

The Essentially Dance project, aimed to improve children's health and fitness, also builds their confidence and improves their relationship skills.

The initiative is backed by professionals Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova from the television programme 'Strictly Come Dancing'.

The evaluation, conducted by Dr Jeanne Keay, Dean of Education and Dr John Spence, Head of Physical Education at Roehampton University, saw more than 2,500 students aged five to 18 learn to cha-cha-cha, waltz and jive in 29 primary and secondary schools across England.

It found that shy children's self-esteem was boosted, and they made friends as a result of the classes.

It also revealed that less sporty children became more interested in PE and children's behaviour improved.

Teachers credited disciplined and structured nature of ballroom and Latin dancing for the improvements in kids.

"Dance clearly has the potential to make a huge impact on all children's learning, helping pupils learn to move and move to learn," the Telegraph quoted Keay as saying.

"The research also found that the introduction of dance into schools through this type of scheme has the potential to positively affect social interaction within families and in local communities," Keay added. (ANI)

Related Latest

Brit pupils see live sex show in Bangkok during cultural trip! Strictly Come Dancing star Laila Rouass' cancer scare Strictly Come Dancing star Laila Rouass' cancer scare Taliban threat to UK troops forces McChrystal to keep them out of harm's way Now, video game that improves intelligence World's shortest domestic flight flies six pupils to school in 47 seconds! Physical education improves health in low-income adolescents Weightlifting improves quality of life among breast cancer survivors: Study Lap band surgery improves health of morbidly obese kids Adult fish bully juveniles and push them into predators' mouths

Related Latest

UK ministers question future of Afghan mission India to sustain and enhance global engagements: Anand Sharma Murray bans Christmas to keep heat on rivals England won't repeat last Ashes-winning blunder in South Africa: Collingwood Personal number plates, window stickers - signs of aggressive drivers Peter Andre 'furious' with Katie Price after 'terminations' disclosure Brit couple marries 30 years after saying 'I do'! Brit student pub-crawls come under fire over booze-induced mayhem Tibetans delighted with Dalai Lama's Tawang visit Oz women executives turning to golf to climb up career ladder

• Personal number plates, window stickers - signs of aggressive drivers
• India to sustain and enhance global engagements: Anand Sharma
• England won't repeat last Ashes-winning blunder in South Africa: Collingwood
• Peter Andre 'furious' with Katie Price after 'terminations' disclosure
• Brit student pub-crawls come under fire over booze-induced mayhem

• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights
• Nine tips for nine nights
• need new prevention tech for HIV, other STIs and UP
• "Good health is India's basic need": Easier said than done Mr Prime Minister!