Celebrating the Power of Dance: We Can Dance and Its Impact

Dance is a special form of expression that goes beyond words. For children with special needs, it is a fun and powerful way to connect, learn, and grow. We Can Dance, a charity that offers dance lessons for children with different needs like autism, profound and multiple learning difficulties (PMLD) and other physical challenges, shows how life-changing dance can be. Dance allows these children to share their thoughts and feelings without speaking, making it an invaluable tool for self-expression, particularly for non-verbal pupils. 

Thanks to support from partners like International Dance Supplies (IDS), We Can Dance creates a space where every child can flourish through movement, creativity, and community. We wholeheartedly believe that everyone deserves the chance to dance. 

Dance is more than just moving your body—it’s like learning a new language. In each class, children not only move but also learn new words and ideas. Dance vocabulary like bend, stretch, jump and even the traditional French terminology for ballet moves is used. Telling stories through dance helps children use their imagination and improve their language skills. By combining movements with storytelling, children can better connect words with actions, making learning engaging and memorable. This method supports language development and boosts children’s confidence in expressing themselves. 

Dance is great for helping children work together and make friends. We Can Dance lessons give children chances to connect. Group dances and partner activities teach children to work as a team, understand each other, and build trust. Each class helps students set goals and feel more confident as they learn new moves and routines. Over time, children become more comfortable in social settings, learning to communicate through spoken words and body language. We love to hear how our pupils gain the confidence to dance at family parties and discos. Dance helps break down social barriers, encouraging inclusivity and teamwork. These experiences teach children the value of empathy and cooperation, building strong, supportive relationships that extend beyond the dance floor. 

Dance isn’t just about fun—it also teaches science! Children learn about forces, speed, distance, and balance.. They practise push and pull movements and find out how to keep their balance whilst moving at different speeds. These hands-on activities help children understand scientific ideas in a fun and practical way. Dance demonstrates how the body reacts to different forces, enhancing children’s awareness of concepts like gravity and momentum. Teachers can introduce simple experiments during lessons, such as observing how a change in speed or angle affects movement. These playful explorations make science feel approachable and exciting, sparking curiosity and a love for learning. 

Dance helps children develop strength, balance, and coordination. We Can Dance uses differentiated exercises that match each child’s physical needs to help them grow stronger. Movements like jumping, balancing, working with partners, and floor exercises build muscle and core strength. This makes physical activity fun and helps children stay healthy and active. Regular dance practise encourages children to push their physical limits whilst staying safe. Beyond just exercise, dance promotes flexibility, endurance, and improved posture. Over time there are notable improvements in overall fitness levels, which can also enhance their participation in other activities. For children who may struggle with traditional physical activities, dance provides a welcoming and adaptive environment. 

Maths becomes more exciting when children can experience it through dance. Rhythms, patterns, and shapes in dance relate to mathematical concepts. Lessons include counting beats and steps, which helps them to recognise patterns. Dance allows children to visualise mathematical sequences and understand timing and rhythm in an interactive and intuitive way. For instance, repeating certain dance sequences helps children practise multiplication and division in a fun manner. Mathematical language is given a physical stage - quarter, half, one, two, three, repeat four times and so on. Furthermore, maths and music go hand in hand - music forms the background of all dance. Counting, rhythm and listening are all developed. 

Dance requires you to make shapes with the body when making formations with others - circle, triangle, square, rectangle - and other shapes whilst moving around. This helps them understand space and how their bodies move through it. These activities make it easier for children to learn about geometry and measurement in a hands-on way. Moving as a group helps children become aware of their surroundings and develop spatial awareness, a crucial skill for everyday life. Recognising and replicating patterns and shapes during dance improves cognitive skills and reinforces what they learn in the classroom. Dance helps make abstract ideas tangible, making learning more effective and enjoyable. 

Dance classes at We Can Dance can also teach children about history and different cultures. Children explore where different dance styles come from and what they mean. This helps them learn about the world in a fun, sensory way and appreciate different cultures and music. By learning dances from around the world, children better understand cultural diversity and respect for other traditions. Lessons may include music from various periods and regions, offering a rich, interactive way to connect with history. These activities also encourage children to share their cultural backgrounds, creating a space for mutual learning and respect. 

The best way to see how We Can Dance changes lives is through the happiness and progress of the children. Many children who struggle in school find a sense of achievement and freedom in dance. Parents have reported seeing their children become more confident, sociable, and happy. Their concentration improves, as does their ability to relax, rest and recuperate - a huge challenge for some. These moments show that dance is more than just movement—it brings joy and growth. The impact goes beyond the individual lesson. Children take what they learn in dance and use it in their daily lives and throughout their school day. Whether it’s being more willing to try new activities, being calmer and more regulated, or interacting more with their peers, the positive effects are clear. 

The amazing support of partners like International Dance Supplies plays a big role in helping We Can Dance deliver dance education to SEND students. By providing subsidised specialist dance shoes, the children gain greater freedom of movement and sensory feedback from the floor. Some of our children take bespoke exams and medal tests in these shoes. Even the visual clue of the shoes being handed to them helps to prepare them for the transition to a new activity. A smooth transition can make or break how much a child can go on to achieve in such a session. Everyone Deserves the Chance to Dance We Can Dance believes just that! No barrier or preconception should stop an individual from participating in the joy of dance. We have been working to introduce professional dance teachers in SEND schools across the North East and Yorkshire for over 20 years, but we could always reach more children. As we continue to grow, we hope to create a future where every child has the chance to shine. Supporting We Can Dance means contributing to an environment where children feel seen, included, and inspired. For the children taught by We Can Dance, it’s a path to confidence, growth, and discovery. Please support their journey and share how dance can change lives. Please visit www.wecandance.co.uk for more information, to donate or get involved, or follow us on Facebook.