Why you should make a dance video with your child

Hint: It’s not to embarrass you!

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Creating dance videos is an opportunity to practice executive function skills. Here’s 7 critical cognitive skills that you can help support simply by dancing together.

1. Goal Setting and Achievement

Discuss what you and your kids want to get out of making the video. Help make sure that the goal is appropriate for their ability and available time.

This process models the steps involved in pursuing goals in all aspects of life.  

2. Planning and Organization

Dance videos don’t just happen.

In order to achieve their goal, work with your kids to plan, including selecting a dance (pre-screen options for safety), how you’ll practice, and deciding how and where to record. 

3. Working Memory

Remembering a dance routine requires recalling the sequence of steps and movements, which helps strengthen their working memory skills. 

4. Self-Control

Performing a dance requires moving with precision and timing, which means inhibiting the urge to make impulsive movements that are out of sync with the routine.

5. Attention and Concentration

Dancing and producing a video  requires sustained attention and concentration, including focusing on the movements, the rhythm of the music, and coordination their actions.

Take frequent breaks and monitor how everyone is feeling.

6. Emotional Control

Despite your best efforts, the effort involved in creating a video is likely to bring up feelings, whether frustration, embarrassment,  or...?

When feelings arise, take a pause, encourage sharing to develop empathy, and brainstorm ways to navigate.

You’re modeling how to build resilience. 

7. Cognitive Flexibility

Chances are, not everything will go according to plan.

Whether it’s adjusting movements to make it accessible for everyone, changing the timeline, or another logistic that needs to be altered, cognitive flexibility and adapting to changes is key.  

Most importantly, have fun creating together. It’s an opportunity to connect and bond, no matter whether you share the final results!

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