How Dance Builds Confidence and Social Skills in Children

Confidence and social skills are just as important to a child’s development as academics — yet they are often the hardest to teach in a traditional classroom. For many children, especially during elementary and middle school years, finding their voice, learning to work with others, and feeling comfortable expressing themselves can be a challenge.

This is where dance plays a powerful role.

At Calidanza Dance Company, we see firsthand how dance helps children grow not only as performers, but as people. Through structured movement, teamwork, and cultural expression, dance-based programs help children develop confidence, communication skills, and a strong sense of belonging — skills that last well beyond the dance floor.

Confidence Begins with Movement

Confidence often starts in the body. When children learn to move with intention, coordination, and rhythm, they begin to trust themselves in new ways.

Dance encourages children to:

• Become aware of their bodies

• Improve posture and physical presence

• Practice control, balance, and coordination

• Take up space without fear

According to research published in the Journal of Physical Activity and Health, movement-based arts programs significantly improve self-esteem and body confidence in children. When kids feel comfortable in their own bodies, that confidence often translates into how they speak, interact, and show up in other areas of life.

For children who may be shy, reserved, or unsure of themselves, dance provides a gentle and supportive way to build confidence without pressure.

Learning to Express Emotions in Healthy Ways

Children experience big emotions, but they don’t always have the words to explain them. Dance offers a creative outlet where feelings can be expressed through movement rather than speech.

Studies in arts education show that dance helps children:

• Process emotions

• Reduce stress and anxiety

• Improve emotional regulation

• Develop empathy and awareness of others

Through music and movement, children learn that emotions are valid and expressive — not something to hide. This emotional literacy is a key component of social development and mental well-being.

In culturally rooted dance programs like folklórico, students also connect emotion with storytelling, tradition, and shared experience, deepening both personal and collective expression.

Dance Teaches Teamwork and Cooperation

Unlike many individual activities, dance requires collaboration. Students must listen, observe, and move together as a group. This builds critical social skills such as:

• Cooperation

• Active listening

• Respect for others

• Accountability

Research from the National Endowment for the Arts shows that students involved in group-based arts programs demonstrate stronger peer relationships and improved social behavior.

In Calidanza’s after-school programs, students learn how to:

• Practice together

• Support one another

• Take turns leading and following

• Celebrate group success

These experiences help children understand that their role matters — and that working together creates something bigger than any one person.

Building Communication Skills Without Words

Not all communication is verbal. Dance teaches children how to communicate through:

• Body language

• Facial expression

• Timing and rhythm

• Spatial awareness

This non-verbal communication strengthens a child’s ability to read social cues and respond appropriately — an essential life skill.

For children who struggle with speaking up or expressing themselves verbally, dance can be especially empowering. It gives them a voice without requiring words, often building the confidence they need to communicate more comfortably in other settings.

Creating a Sense of Belonging

One of the most powerful outcomes of dance programs is the sense of belonging they create.

According to the Afterschool Alliance, students who feel connected to peers and mentors in after-school programs are more likely to stay engaged in school and less likely to experience social isolation.

Dance classes create a shared experience:

• Learning choreography together

• Practicing toward a common goal

• Performing as a group

• Supporting one another through challenges

For many students, after-school dance becomes a safe space — a place where they feel accepted, valued, and included.

This sense of belonging is especially important for children navigating identity, cultural background, or transitions during their school years.

Confidence Through Performance (Without Pressure)

Performance can sound intimidating, but when approached thoughtfully, it becomes a powerful confidence builder.

Performing helps children:

• Overcome stage fright

• Build resilience

• Learn how to prepare and practice

• Take pride in their accomplishments

Research published in Arts Education Policy Review shows that performance-based arts programs increase confidence and persistence, even among children who initially struggle with anxiety.

At Calidanza, performance is framed as a celebration — not perfection. Students are encouraged to do their best, support one another, and feel proud of their growth.

These experiences help children understand that confidence isn’t about being perfect — it’s about showing up.

Social Skills That Extend Beyond the Dance Floor

The social skills children develop through dance carry into everyday life. Parents and educators often notice improvements in:

• Classroom participation

• Peer relationships

• Listening skills

• Leadership and initiative

A study by RAND Corporation found that students in high-quality after-school arts programs showed improved social behavior and stronger engagement at school.

Dance teaches children how to:

• Take direction

• Work through challenges

• Respect structure

• Express themselves appropriately

These skills support long-term success both academically and socially.

Why After-School Dance Programs Make a Difference

After-school hours are a critical time for child development. Structured programs provide consistency, mentorship, and positive peer interaction.

Dance-based after-school programs offer:

• Physical activity

• Emotional expression

• Social connection

• Creative learning

By partnering with schools across the Sacramento region, Calidanza brings these benefits directly to students in a familiar, supportive environment.

Supporting the Whole Child

Confidence and social skills are not “extras” — they are foundational to a child’s growth.

Dance helps children:

• Believe in themselves

• Connect with others

• Express who they are

• Feel proud of where they come from

At Calidanza, we believe dance is more than movement. It is a tool for confidence, connection, and community — and when offered after school, it becomes a powerful part of a child’s journey.