The modern social environment is changing in a fast manner, which has a great impact on children’s development. New appearing standards of society require children to have improved skills and cultivate knowledge in different areas. Such progress is impossible without professional and thorough intervention. Parents underestimate such practices and try to cultivate their children’s skills independently. They must be aware of the significance of professional help, which positively influences the development process. Counseling is a method that provides important capabilities and decreases stress and conflicts occurring in the future, helping to acquire social skills through expressive therapies application.
The therapy of dance/movement is one of the most effective ways to expand a child’s physical and psychological abilities. The purpose of providing this therapy to children is not only to grow their personalities but also to prove to parents the significance of the integral role of its application in the development process. Dance/movement belongs to play therapy, based on an interpersonal process ensured by qualified therapists (Tortora, 2019). It helps them to receive sufficient knowledge and develop their personalities optimally. Dance/movement therapy is an approach to open children’s abilities of self-expression through emotionally-filled dance and movement activities (Tortora, 2019). It eliminates such issues as depression, anxiety, and various medical conditions connected with chronic pain and heart diseases (Tortora, 2019). The therapy aims to discharge psychomotor energy and foster social interaction in a group (Shuper-Engelhard & Vulcan, 2022). As a result, dances and movements promote children’s physical, collective, and emotional integration to improve their well-being and health.
The therapy focuses on the adolescent age group, which is unique due to its high period of establishing psychological and physical health foundations. Children that do sports or other activities are prone to use the therapy, which allows them to relax and weigh their strengths and weaknesses (Tortora, 2019). Teams of therapists help the groups find their favorite rhythm that, through various song playlists, fits children’s unique moods (Tortora, 2019). Professionals must possess specific valuable theoretical knowledge to conduct a successful therapy. The most significant theories that draw this therapeutic approach are psychodynamic and humanistic (Shuper-Engelhard & Vulcan, 2022). According to these hypotheses, the treatment involves the whole family to ensure a safe and comfortable child development environment through dance/movement therapy (Tortora, 2019). The main theoretical idea is that the caregiver guarantees healthy and protective relationships with a child (Tortora, 2019). It can be done through pleasurable moments, a comfortable environment, and danger absence.
Therapists also must use specific strategies that help to implement the therapy to the fullest. One of the most important types of strategies is nonverbal communication, which involves hand and leg gestures, facial expressions, body language, and eye contact that is present between group members and their teacher (Alves, 2020). Another significant category is coping strategies consisting of emotional support, anxiety and distress reveal, and problem-solving (Shuper-Engelhard & Vulcan, 2022). All of the mentioned aspects of dance/movement therapy are effective, proven by multiple results of different schools and organizations. For example, the Therapeutic Center’s professionals in Tirat-Ha-Carmel who provided children of different conditions with dance/movement exercises revealed successful results of improved health and developed social skills (Tortora, 2019). It means the effectiveness of this theory is shown through the increase of interpersonal integration and life quality.
Conclusively, children are vulnerable, especially adolescents, and need meticulous attention. Parents usually neglect this aspect and act independently, refusing professional help. Different therapies are crucial for children’s personality development because they foster efficient practices for positive outcomes. Dance/movement therapy helps children to reveal their positive sides and learn to expand their skills and abilities. Professional therapists are integral to this process, as they possess specific knowledge and experience. Counseling is important for children because it decreases stress and provides social skills competently.
References
Alves, A. (2020). Use of Dance/movement therapy strategies in children with autism spectrum disorders as facilitators of creative movement and nonverbal communication. Prima Educatione, 3(41), 41-48. Web.
Shuper-Engelhard, S. & Vulcan, M. (2022). Dance movement therapy with children: Practical aspects of remote group work. Children, 9(6). Web.
Tortora, S. (2019). Children are born to dance! Pediatric medical dance/movement therapy: The view from integrative pediatric oncology. Children, 6(1). Web.