AND SO TO DANCE

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 32, 9 February 1929, Page 14

AND SO TO DANCE

LIFE'S LEADING STRING

(By "Felicity La Touchc.") No. 11. ■ '■ Dancing too long has been regarded merely as an extra accomplishment and one which is not really neeossary to a child's education. Nothing .could be further from the truth.' •

On -the' Continent dancing is used in the training and development of backward and mentally deficient children with the happiest results.. Even the smallest child responds to movements set to niL*ic, or even to the rhythmic clapping of hands, or the tapping of a stick upon the table. •■■

"Time" is understood long before "tune" conveys . anything,'to: a, child's mind. Tiny tots will generally. learn to sing a tune, on one note ■ only ■ perhaps, but with very clear ideas of the beat.: As "harmony" is.the basis'of a successful life, successful, that.is, in the best sense, it cannot be taught too early. .

All children .should'learn-.to dance. They will be all the brighter, happier, and healthier for its exercise. ': The old-fashioned training in deportment gave self-confidence'and helped'to'cure shyness, though we. modern girls .are not supposed to suffer much frqiW "the latter defect. Perhaps some elderly gentlewoman with, memories .of .the crluolined damsel hiding her blushes behind her fan, .will hold classes .for acquiring ''that alluring shyness,'.' of .an .earlier day, and .young ladies.(only a "young lady" could be expected to blushl becomingly!) will learn how. to hold their breath till their faces turn the correct shade of pink! : .;

Anything that helps towards/ease ;and graceful movement' is; needed' to-day more than ever. It is an unpleasant sight to see charmingly dressed and decorated jifirls sitting with their toes turned in and their heels turned iip,and it vs. . no less unpleasant to see their young brothers moving about with an entire lack of grace and ease. Early dancing, in fact, is as important for boys as it is for girls. lit some ways it is even more important. The small boy who suffers agonies of self-con-sciousness, and .who is clumsy '■ and awkward away from his own friends, would be helped to overcome his shy.ness, while in later'life many social events would really be a pleasure to him,instead of a'penance to bo avoided at all costs. FOUNDATIONS OF BALLROOM DANCING. Training in ballet dancing is, I believe, the very best method of acquiring an easy deportment, since it is as beneficicnt-an ballroom dancing as it is in figure development generally. Any good teacher, however, will decide the best course for you to take. Delicate, undersized, nervous children grow physically fit and arc mentally stimulated and stabilised by its aid. iTJat feet, round-shoulders, and many other forms of weakness will also be cured by a steady and serious course, but I must insist that the teacher entrusted witli such a responsible task should thoroughly understand the job.. This is a factor which- simply must not . be neglected, and there is no excuse whatever for any parent to-send her child

to an unqualified teacher when so many are available who are really .first class. Even when a class is forine'd in a rural centre, if it be at all accessible a teacher will ways come from London or the nearest big town to impart instruction.

For very, shy or nervous children, and always in the case of. n child suffering from ;i physical, defect, private lessons are the best, at uiiy. rate for the start-off. '~ For • t lie' ■'normal' child, especially boys who are generally- nappier and more at ease in the'company of their fellows, classes are belter, and a.-teacher who specialises in children 's classes should always be chosen.

THAT SUPERIORITY COMPLEX*.

Dancing: will help very .much in the kvolling-up process, which is so important a factor in education. The child who is good at lessons and inclined to suffer from a siiperioity complex may find the dullard of the school room the star in the dancing class. The dullard will benefit no less, since success, on his or her toes - helps the depressed pupil to. find new energy and hope,.and book work often improves, in :coi)sequencc. . An inferiority complex is much worse than; a ".superioritys'- one, as it-pro-duces hopelessness and fear,,anil is always a bar to success in'life until-it is eradicated. . ...... s ,

Long before a child is old- enough.to take part in gsimus it can ; ,ipin a class and so learn team work. ■ The displays given' in public by flic pupils, of most; of the dancing schools are an excellent training.in -self-control ami teaching children to play the game. ,'. „-.-,.'

This again is even , better for boys than.' girls,'ibccausp there is sometimes a tendency-'to, push tho boys -out- of sight ;a«,;they <are noisy,, awkward, and inclined.to .be .careless abo.ut. their '.appearance. ■ .Milking; an appearance, in. public, will 'counteract this,-, and the boys will talce ; an.'interest., in-. thp ; tlni.iting .sooner, than.-.'-'lot;■■■'their- • teacher down." They will also soon ;find -that their games will'improve, and ..if they are Hoy Scouts or. Cadets drill ; and liiscipUiie will come easicr_ to. them, while'the breath control; derived from dancing will help with"running,, avvjiiinung, and shooting. • ' ■ .■•■■■ ■.. I have so far said- nothing ■ of : - the great improvement' in 'mariners that

follows upon the practice of tho art, or of tho importance of dancing as a potential, social, and business asset to boys and.girls. Boys,* moreover/ will have more opportunity to make the right sort'of friends if they arc dance,rs, and friends of the.right sort are a great factor iu'the life of a young man, often determining the success or failure of his career. THE TRIUMPH OF GRACE. Smooth, easy movement will give a man a self-confidence that he cannot have if he is hampered by tho feeling that ho has more'hands and foot than he-knows what to do with! The nervous girl-will benefit-in the same way. A typist or private secretary who combines' good manners and unobtrusive movements with her other qualifications will bo possessed of a very great asset. The pretty girl may score at first, but in the long run it is with the graceful girl that the triumph lies; for while 1 .good looks may fade, charm ,is a thing that endures. Pretty clothes will not hide awkwardness, but a beautiful carriage will make the .simplest dress , attractive. It is not the garment that is worn that'ma'tters, but the wearing of it. ■ ' '

There is no walk in life in which dancing is useless. The society girl must dance, and if she is, as she so very often is nowadays, a trained ballot dancer ■ who keeps herself in training, she can hold licr own against any rival.

Her presentation curtsey has no tor-, rors for her. In tho Throne So pin, tile ballroom, the tennis court, the hunting field, or the Plage, she is equally: at home, and always envied. '

Looking back over the years oil stage and peerage romances, is it the great actress or talented singer who captures noble hearts'? Not a bit of it. It is the dancer who is carried away in tho golden coach by Prince Charming. So boys and girls lcara to dance your way to success, health, and happiness. Girls, remember, dance steps lead to/the altal- steps.