There is nothing quite like the sight of a three-year-old discovering their own love for dance. Whether they are wiggling to a beat in the lounge or attempting their very first performance to family in the kitchen, toddlers are natural movers.

While many parents enrol their little ones in dance for something to fill their weekend, the benefits of starting at this age are incredible. At Dance 24 Seven, our Mini Movers program is designed to support the rapid development that happens between the ages of 18 months and four years.

Here is why a dance class is one of the best starts you can give your toddler.

Dance develops both fine and gross motor skills and coordination

At this age, children are still mastering the controls of their own bodies. Dance encourages them to move in ways they don't in everyday life: marching, leaping, and balancing on one leg. These movements build core strength and spatial awareness, which helps them become more coordinated in everything from running at the park to eventually riding a bike. 

Social skills and "waiting your turn"

For many toddlers, a dance class is one of their first experiences in a structured social setting. It’s where they learn the essential life skills of following instructions, standing in a line, working with a partner, and waiting for their turn to move across the floor. Learning these boundaries in a fun, musical environment makes the transition to preschool and primary school much smoother.

Cognitive development 

Dance is a workout for the brain as much as the body. Learning a short sequence requires toddlers to use their memory and pattern recognition skills. This "muscle memory" builds neural pathways that support early literacy and numeracy skills later on.

Emotional expression

Toddlers often have big emotions and not enough words to express them yet. Dancers at this age explore a lot of emotions through mime, helping them to process their feelings and be able to communicate them.

Creativity and Confidence

Dance provides a physical outlet for a lot of energy that young children possess. When a child masters a new move or performs for the teacher, you can see their confidence soar. That "I did it!" feeling is the foundation of a healthy self-image. The dancers in our Mini Mover program are also encouraged to express their creativity during free movement and structured improvisation moments in class. Let their imagination run wild!

Why choose Pre-School Dance at Dance24Seven?

• Our staff: We know that a toddler’s first experience with a teacher is a big deal. Our team are experts at balancing structure with play, ensuring that every 30-minute session is high-energy and nurturing.

• The perfect environment: Our purpose-built West Auckland studios feature professional sprung floors, which are much safer for little joints than the concrete floors often found in community halls.

• The "First Lesson" magic: We love seeing new faces! You are welcome to book a free trial to see how your little one responds to the music and the studio atmosphere.

Start their journey today!

The habits of movement and the friendships formed in a toddler dance class can last a lifetime. If you’re looking for a fun, family-focused way to burn off some toddler energy while building real skills, we would love to meet you.