Effects of creative dance on proprioception, rhythm and balance of preschool children

• Published in: Early child development and care Vol. 189; no. 12; pp. 1943 - 1953
• Main Authors: Chatzopoulos, Dimitris, Doganis, George, Kollias, Iraklis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Routledge 15-10-2019; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Childhood; Comparative Analysis; Creativity; Curricula; Dance; Dance Education; dancing; Early childhood education; Educational Benefits; Foreign Countries; Intervention; Kinesthesis; Motor Development; Pediatrics; preschool; Preschool Children; Pretests Posttests; Proprioception; Psychomotor Skills; Rhythm; sensorimotor synchronization; Sensory Integration; Tests; Greece
• ISSN: 0300-4430; 1476-8275
• DOI: 10.1080/03004430.2017.1423484

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of creative dance on proprioception, rhythm and static balance in preschool children. The treatment group consisted of 32 preschool children which took part in a creative dance programme that lasted 2 months (twice a week), while the control group (30 preschool children) participated in an unstructured free-play setting. Prior to and after the intervention, children were assessed for proprioception (Active-Reproduction Test), rhythm (K-Rhythm Test) and balancing on one foot. The results showed that the treatment group performed significantly better on the proprioception and rhythm post-test measures compared to the control group. No significant differences were found for static balance. It may be concluded that creative dance can positively affect proprioception and rhythmic synchronization in preschool children. Considering the importance of these factors for children's motor development, it is suggested that creative dance should be included in early childhood curricula.