Street dance has the right moves for girls

Street dance is one of the most exciting things to have developed over recent years for teenagers and it's absolutely brilliant for girls who may be apathetic when it comes to sport and PE.

It is well known that many girls lose interest in PE and sport as they move through their teens. PE kits are often perceived as being horribly unfashionable and uncomfortable, especially at a time when girls have a heightened self-consciousness about their bodies. The choice of sports can sometimes be limited. Periods don't help either and have stopped many a girl from participating in swimming lessons.

The contemporary style of dressing for street dance removes a major barrier as girls can wear tracksuit pants and, outside of school, can stamp their individuality on the way they dress.

The benefits of street dance for girls are truly wide-ranging, by developing:

• excellent levels of fitness and stamina
• good bone density
• flexibility
• improved concentration.

The music, rhythm and beat of street dance seem to reach many young people in a way that nothing else can, allowing them the chance to express themselves in a creative and energetic way. Patience and persistence are required to master the moves; teamwork is vital to group pieces and this encourages imaginative freedom with routines and choreography.

The competition side of street dance has really developed too, which gives young people something to strive for. This is highlighted, too, in the numerous street dance movies, such as Step Up, Step Up 2 and Honey.

Schools which have introduced street dance report that previously troublesome kids find a new outlet through which they constructively channel their aggression, develop self confidence, become more disciplined, learn through teamwork, and impress with new social skills. The knock-on effect is better behaviour in class, better attendance and better grades.

Above all, street dance is fun!

If you have a daughter who is happiest avoiding PE and sport, perhaps you could encourage her to look at a street dance class – and see what it does for her self confidence and wellbeing.