- Just Dance: Using a Just dance video from YouTube can be a fantastic tool for a classroom break. Have children follow on-screen dance moves to get everyone moving and energised. A 2020 study, showed that 8 weeks of dance activities improved motor skills and memory in kids.2
- Zumba or JumpJam: Organise dance sessions at lunchtime, morning tea break, or after school. Gain the interest of parents, getting them involved as well!
- Exercise snack: Introduce short dance breaks throughout the day. Ask each child to contribute a dance move at each break, then challenge the class to remember and perform all the moves at the end of the day.
3 of Clubs
Dance Party
Easy Level
It’s a fun way to stay fit, flexible, and healthy!
Dancing moves your whole body and helps your heart, muscles, and bones stay strong.
- Copycat Dance: In this game, players stand in a circle, and one person starts by doing a dance move. The next person in the circle copies that move and adds their own, and the pattern continues around the circle, with each person copying the previous moves and adding a new one. It’s a fun way to test memory and creativity!
- Freeze Dance: Everyone dances while the music plays, but as soon as the music stops, they must completely freeze. If anyone moves after the music stops, they’re out. The game continues with the music starting and stopping until only one person is left dancing, making them the winner!
- Dance in your room: Put on your favourite tunes and dance like no one is watching!
Dancing is a fun way to exercise your whole body! Also, helps you get better at balancing, moving smoothly, and knowing where your body is in space.
This is super helpful for playing other sports and games with friends.
A study reviewing kids dancing showed that dancing helps kids stay fit, keep their bones strong, and even helps with staying at a healthy weight. So, dancing is a great way of keeping your body happy!1
Small changes CAN make a big difference – that’s what the 1% Kids’ Club is all about.
Videos
- Daily Dance Time: Incorporate a quick dance session into your children’s daily routine. For example, doing a dance afterschool for a fun shakeout or whilst they are waiting for dinner.
- Sleepovers or Parties: Encourage a group dance session at sleepovers or birthday parties. It’s a fun way for kids to move to their favourite songs and enjoy time with friends!
- Burkhardt, J. and Brennan, C. (2012) ‘The effects of recreational dance interventions on the health and well-being of children and young people: A systematic review’, Arts & Health, 4(2), pp. 148–161.
https://doi.org/10.1080/17533015.2012.665810 - Rudd, J., Buszard, T., Spittle, S., O’Callaghan, L., & Oppici, L. (2021). Comparing the efficacy (RCT) of learning a dance choreography and practicing creative dance on improving executive functions and motor competence in 6–7 years old children. Psychology of Sport and Exercise, 53, 101846. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101846