Sofia the First Activites - A to Z Kids Stuff
Sofia the First Activites - A to Z Kids Stuff
Sofia the First Activites - A to Z Kids Stuff
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Dancing like a princess is bound <strong>to</strong> be fun for kids.<br />
Denny Newell, Senior Show Direc<strong>to</strong>r for <strong>the</strong> Disneyland<br />
Resort, also believes dance holds oodles of benefits for<br />
<strong>the</strong> girls who want <strong>to</strong> learn some ballroom moves.<br />
Ballroom Dance<br />
You can ballroom dance like <strong>Sofia</strong>!<br />
“It’s wonderful cardio because it doesn’t feel like exercise when you’re having fun and<br />
pretending you’re a princess,” says Newell. “You don’t realize you’re becoming more fit<br />
and developing strength and flexibility.”<br />
There are also social benefits for kids as <strong>the</strong>y learn <strong>to</strong> dance. “You really learn <strong>to</strong><br />
communicate and have fun with o<strong>the</strong>r people through dancing,” says Newell. “There’s a<br />
long his<strong>to</strong>ry of people coming <strong>to</strong>ge<strong>the</strong>r at social occasions and dancing.”<br />
Studying some dance steps can prepare children for dancing in <strong>the</strong> future as well. “Just<br />
having some exposure <strong>to</strong> this kind of dancing can help children feel more confident in <strong>the</strong><br />
future when <strong>the</strong>y’re at a social event like a prom or formal ga<strong>the</strong>ring or even someday in<br />
<strong>the</strong> future at <strong>the</strong>ir own wedding.”<br />
With <strong>the</strong>se three tips from Newell, parents<br />
can help <strong>the</strong>ir little ones learn <strong>to</strong> take <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />
ballroom just like a princess:<br />
Tip 1<br />
Tip 2<br />
Tip 3<br />
Encourage kids <strong>to</strong> find <strong>the</strong> rhythm in a song. “Put on <strong>the</strong>ir favorite piece<br />
of music and let <strong>the</strong>m move around,” says Newell. “Usually <strong>the</strong>y find <strong>the</strong><br />
rhythm on <strong>the</strong>ir own pretty quickly.<br />
Inspire kids <strong>to</strong> use <strong>the</strong>ir own creativity when <strong>the</strong>y’re first learning <strong>to</strong> dance.<br />
“For children this can be ano<strong>the</strong>r wonderful way for <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> pretend and use<br />
<strong>the</strong>ir imagination,” says Newell. “Dressing up in a princess costume can add<br />
<strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir wonderful fantasy.”<br />
Reassure <strong>the</strong>m <strong>to</strong> keep moving even if finding <strong>the</strong><br />
perfect steps right away is a little challenging. “It<br />
doesn’t matter if <strong>the</strong> steps are exact because it’s all<br />
really about having fun,” says Newell. “Just give <strong>the</strong>m<br />
<strong>to</strong>ns of positive reinforcement for being out <strong>the</strong>re and<br />
moving <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> music.”<br />
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