Dance is a Sport, Too! #PlayLikeaGirl
My daughter has done all types of sports since she was three years old. She started at that time taking ballet and tumbling along with playing soccer in the summer and swimming lessons. As she got older, she continued to dabble in various sports, always sticking with dance.
At the age of 13, she now dances seven days a week, including at least 5 hours a day on Saturday and Sunday! I let her add one variety of dance a year until she took all the classes her studio, Allegro Dance Arts, offers–ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, tumbling, urban jazz, hip hop, and ultimate fitness.
Wait a minute–I know some of you think that dance is not a sport. Think about sports. Sports require skill and physical effort. Does dance require skill and physical effort? Absolutely! So are girls who dance athletes? Without a doubt. Dance is a sport, too.
Brid’s level of involvement has grown so high because she now does competitive dance (think Dance Moms without the drama). She competes in team pieces, duets, and even solos. The benefits to Brid being an athlete extend beyond her physical capabilities. Girls who play sports on teams learn critical teamwork and goal-setting skills.
Being part of the competition team, Brid has to sign a contract, commit to extra practices in and outside the studio, travel, participation, and more. But most importantly, the contract highlights being part of the team and acting as such. Recently, one of my daughter’s hip hop pieces won 1st Place in their division:
Another benefit beyond athletic ability is that girls who play sports perform better academically! With Brid being at dance every weeknight and over 10 hours on Saturday and Sunday, you would think that schoolwork might suffer. On the contrary! Brid has developed excellent time management skills, takes advanced classes, and maintains high honors. You’ll find many young lady athletes to not only be strong physically but also be strong in academics.
Practice and dedication are two vital factors to being successful in any sport. Whether your daughter’s sport is soccer, dance, or basketball, practicing at home and with the team is key to being successful at that sport. Dedication and being part of a team guide your daughter into becoming a more muscular female, both physically and mentally. It takes hours of practice and dedication before you can compete in your sport.
I am beyond proud of my daughter’s athletic ability. We want to know how you empower your daughter to play like a girl! What athletic abilities are you proud of your daughter for?
