He came with all the normal teenage accessories: A chip on his shoulder, a rebellious attitude, and little regard for life beyond his gaming device.
He took dance lessons with his mother as a form of punishment for bad grades.
Three years, two pairs of dance shoes, and one growth spurt later... his dance lessons were no longer a punishment. They were his reward for finished homework assignments, good test scores, and completed chores around the house.
How did this transformation happen? Let's explore it with the following article:
Think of every activity in high school that instantly improves through social skills. What if those skills are lacking? That high school dance becomes a death sentence instead of an opportunity.
Knowing how to dance, asking/accepting, and socializing while moving is like giving your child Graduate School level social skills for high school.
Think of all of the groups that hang out together in school:
Each group forms a type of barrier that is tough to break into. Learning to dance changes that.
Even if your teenager never pursued these other groups, dancing is a gateway to many social groups... even the "Dancer Group".
With shows like Dancing With The Stars and So You Think You Can Dance, we've begun to see that Ballroom dancing isn't what we used to think it was. It can be really cool. So, when your son or daughter decides to take lessons, just know that there are many dances they can choose from - it's like a buffet for healthier hobbies.
Watching TV is great, but your brain gets as much exercise through ballroom dancing as your body does. Combining things like
Sometimes unique kids need to find a unique hobby. Not everyone wants to follow down the same path as the rest of the pack.
Learning to dance may not be for everyone, but it may be perfect for your son or daughter. Becaue, aside from the fun and health benefits, it connects them to a community of like-minded people, and helps to develop their confidence at their own pace, in an activity that they enjoy.
There is one absolute when it comes to ballroom and latin dancing:
No one ever says, "I'm glad I waited so long to get started."
Everyone that begins this as an adult wishes they had started as a teenager, or sooner. While you can certainly wait until learning to dance becomes more practical and/or vital to their social life, starting your teenager on a path toward dancing now can pay social, happiness, and health dividends for a lifetime.
The teenager I mentioned at the beginning of the article definitely went through a life changing transformation. Being a part of the catalyst for that transformation was truly a treasured moment, but that couldn't have happened without a gutsy move on the part of his mother.
While she may have received plenty of teenage grief for willing it to happen, she is the proud mother of a son who will always be her go-to dance partner.
A son who, as a man, may very well do the same thing for his kids.
Whether you are a teen looking for a dance hobby, or a parent that wants to explore ballroom and latin dancing for your son, daughter, or family - we can help you take the first step today.