Confidence Building
Recently, AMightyGirl.com website published an article about young girls losing their confidence level by 30% starting at age eight years through fourteen years. The article, which we encourage you to read in full, mentions that before age eight, a girls confidence level compared to boys of the same age group, is about the same. The authors of The Confidence Code for Girls. Katty Kay and Claire Shipman go on to explain that "as girls approach adolescence, that openness to risk and failure becomes buried under an avalanche of biological and cultural signals telling them to be careful, value perfection, avoid risk at all possible costs. Parents and society reinforce a lot of these messages and behaviors at the same time that girls' brains are being flooded with estrogen, which heightens emotional intelligence and curbs risk. Not because we are bad, but because there is such a premium on "doing well", especially today". Hence, their Confidence Code for Girls and The Confidence Code Journal. We have not read this book as of this writing, but it has been placed at the top of our reading list. We are adding a link to the AMightyGirl.com article at the bottom of this blog article.
This article was very timely, since I was recently in conversation with a parent that was inquiring about the value of classes and lesson. Here is what I know from over all the years of instructing. Students that started as toddlers or early elementary, and stayed in weekly lessons through their senior year of high school, only seemed to become more confident and out going. A family encouraging their child to continue lessons (and some whose parents never gave an option to drop class or lessons) only grew into strong minded, self directed, highly intelligent young adults. Everyone of our students that were young when starting and stayed in classes through high school graduation, went on to college and graduated with degrees.
These young adults are all successful in their careers. Many with multiple degrees and doctorates. Some are business owners, others work in healthcare, school teachers, One even works in the administration office of a professional Ballet Company and another is a director for a community based activity center, directing "non sports activities", which includes dance.
When these students started classes and lessons with us, they had no expectations of what they would be as an adult. They were there for fun, and we delivered it to them. Their parents had them in class to have fun, learn a few dances, be in a recital and get some exercise.
Class benefits are many and we will not go over each one at this time.. But one benefit is very important during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that is the mental health benefit. According to an Oxford University study July 8,2019 "Dance improves mood and can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Dancing, or moving to music with others, encourages and increases social bonding with strangers." Joining in class with others is enjoyable and allows a child to grow socially. Since dance classes are based on age and levels, it allows a child to explore and learn on an equal ground with others. This means everyone is trying something new, and there is a more equal chance of everyone experiencing a success, failure and success again pattern.
Unlike sports that are limited to a small number of members on a team, with many sitting on the bench while only a few actually play, dance classes and groups are limited in size so that ALL attendees get to participate fully and benefit. This makes dance feel safer when trying movements, without so much fear because the majority of the class is all on the same level of learning there is support from others in the class and less fear of being mocked for failing. This is especially true in studio settings that have a mission statement that is openly shared on a daily basis through words and actions.
Students over the many years that have came through our doors at Academy of Fine Arts of Woodward, knowing that if a mistake is made, it is an opportunity to grow and not cave in. With each new "try", they become stronger and more resilient. With each new skill learned, they become more confident and giving towards others. I am happy that I have had this lifetime of opportunities to experience this with so many young people.
Has every student that has came through our doors been like those I just mentioned? Unfortunately no. There are more that have not been as successful as those that have. What is the difference? I believe it is family dynamics. Some families are just "trying out" an activity for their child. Others have looked for something that their child could grow with and lead to opportunities. These parents usually put the "if we start, you have to stay in for the duration" up front and expect their child to follow through. ( I actually did this with my children about joining band. Being a former high school band member, I knew you cannot get the full benefit of band, without seeing it all the way through your senior year. This even included school athletics and there was never an option to give up dance and gymnastics either. It was tough, but they learned to manage their time and all did very well in college,)
So sometimes sticking out the duration of dance or any other activity is a family affair. But doing so it has its reward in learning to work together and to manage time. Sticking out dance through the 12th grade year has major benefits also in confidence building, body image and learning to follow through until the end of any project. Future employers love those skills!
I do intend to purchase and read the book mentioned at the beginning. I think every parent should. But not because you want your child to have more confidence. The book may just really open doors for parents more so than their daughter. It just may, and I say may because I have not read it yet, help parents to help their child to plan for long term benefits of activities by developing a plan from the beginning for success. The link I promised is below. Read the book and then tell me what you think.
https://www.amightygirl.com/the-confidence-code-for-girls
Mary Myers is the Director/Owner of Academy of Fine Arts of Woodward, OK
