Why Every Child Deserves to Dance
At Magical Tots, we believe that every child should have the chance to experience the joy of dance from an early age and be part of the future of dance in education. Dance not only nurtures physical skills but also fosters cognitive and emotional development, creating well-rounded individuals who are better prepared for the future. As we look ahead, integrating dance into the education system is crucial to ensuring that children receive a holistic learning experience that encompasses creativity, movement and self-expression. But right now, too many children in Britain are missing out on these opportunities.
Yesterday morning, our founder, Miss Amy, spoke to the BBC (fast forward to 18:50 minutes) about the importance of dance for young children. As an Early Years teacher, she has seen how dance builds confidence and coordination. It also fosters creativity and a love of movement that lasts a lifetime. But despite the well-known benefits of dance, schools are offering fewer opportunities than ever before.
Dance in Education is Disappearing
Shirley Ballas, a passionate advocate for the future of dance in education, is the President of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD) and a passionate advocate for the future of dance in education. She recently wrote about how dance is declining in schools. The statistics are worrying:
- GCSE Dance entries have dropped by 59% since 2008
- Only 16% of schools currently enter students for GCSE dance
- A-Level dance entries have fallen by 58%
- Although dance is part of the PE curriculum for 5–11-year-olds, it is often skipped entirely
Studies show that movement and dance help improve mental health. They also boost focus and save the NHS £430 million. This is due to fewer visits to GPs and therapists.
So why don’t we prioritise dance?
Miss Amy’s Story: Making Dance Accessible in the South West
Magical Tots was founded in the most challenging of times. As a single mum, Miss Amy was determined to give her daughter, Beau, the opportunities she never had. When she searched for a fun and educational dance class in the South West, she found nothing like her vision.
Instead of accepting this gap, she created something new. She built Magical Tots to help young children in Bude, Holsworthy, Crediton, Barnstaple, Bradworthy, Tavistock and beyond access dance. Today, Miss Amy and her team teach in local schools, nurseries and community spaces. They bring the joy of movement to young children in the area.
Miss Amy has a background in musical theatre and primary education. This gives her a unique view on how to use dance in early years and primary settings.
Through Magical Tots, she created a program that helps young children move. It also supports their overall growth. This aligns with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the National Curriculum.
Magical Tots has grown rapidly, reaching hundreds of children each week. Miss Amy and her team work closely with schools and nurseries, helping teachers incorporate dance into their daily routines. The program encourages children to engage in creative movement, storytelling through dance and even early exposure to performance skills.
The impact of Magical Tots extends beyond the classroom. Parents often share stories about how their kids have gained confidence.
They also talk about better coordination and new ways to express themselves through dance. Many once-shy children have found a new love for movement. This change is thanks to Miss Amy and her small team’s caring approach.
Why Dance Matters for Every Child
At Magical Tots, we see the benefits of dance every day:
- Boosts confidence – even the shyest children light up in class.
- Develops coordination & motor skills – essential for school readiness.
- Encourages creativity – children learn to express themselves through movement.
- Supports emotional well-being – dance is a powerful tool for self-expression and joy.
- Encourages active learning of the EYFS Curriculum and National Curriculum. It promotes multi-sensory learning and supports different learning styles. This makes learning and dance accessible for everyone, including those with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
- Cross-curricular learning – dance can support subjects like maths, science, literacy and history, making it an invaluable educational tool.
- Teaches discipline and teamwork – helping children develop essential life skills for their future.
- Encourages physical fitness – developing lifelong healthy habits through movement.
- Provides a sense of community – Magical Tots classes create a welcoming space where children form friendships and learn the value of working together.
But most importantly, dance is for everyone—and no child should miss the chance to experience it.
The Role of Dance in Schools
Dance is a fundamental part of a child’s education and should be embedded within the national curriculum. Great dance teachers inspire young minds. They provide high-quality dance experiences. These experiences promote creativity, well-being and academic success.
We need to focus more on dance in schools. Primary and secondary teachers should have the tools to include dance in physical education. Through Magical Tots, Miss Amy advocates for professional development opportunities for teachers so they can confidently use dance as a teaching tool in their classrooms.
The Future of Dance in Education
The future of dance in education depends on ensuring that every child has access to movement-based learning experiences. By integrating dance into schools, we create a pathway for children to develop vital skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. Dance education should be prioritised, not sidelined and initiatives like Magical Tots demonstrate the impact of making dance an essential part of learning.
Expanding Dance Education
Adding musical theatre, creative movement, contemporary dance, hip-hop, tap and cheerleading to school programs can make learning enjoyable. These activities can also help include all children.
Dance specialists and dance companies are important for helping teachers grow professionally. They make sure that dance in education keeps changing and getting better.
By adding dance to schools, especially in primary schools we can inspire a new generation of kids and young people. This helps them see movement as an important part of their growth.
What Needs to Happen Next?
We stand with Shirley Ballas in calling for dance to return to the heart of the curriculum. Every child deserves to feel the joy of movement. This should happen not just in private classes, but also in school.
We encourage parents, teachers and policymakers to support more dance opportunities in schools.
If your little one is ready to start their dance journey, we’d love to welcome them to a Magical Tots class! Miss Amy loves teaching dance. This passion is the heart of Magical Tots. She will keep working to make sure every child can move, create and grow through dance.
Join the conversation! Share your thoughts in the comments and tag us on social media using #DanceForAll #CreativeCurriculum #MagicalTots.
Together, we can make dance accessible to all.
