Keep on Dancing
My dance journey started at the early age of three at a parks and recreation mommy & me ballet class. It was affordable and I loved it! I continued to take tap and ballet classes there until I was 5 years old. At eleven years old I was inspired to dance again when I competed […]
A Counselor’s Perspective on Confronting Hypersexualization: Raising Awareness and Fostering Change
Introduction In our hyperconnected world, where information is just a click away, people have become increasingly desensitized to an issue that permeates modern society. With the advent of the internet and the proliferation of smartphones, we are constantly bombarded with an overwhelming amount of information from various sources. Over the past decade, a noticeable cultural […]
Confronting the Comparison Game and Porn Culture in Children’s Dance
The enchanting world of dance: It’s where kids get to express themselves, communicate feelings, and celebrate their journey of growth. Watching little dancers move is like witnessing pure magic. But you know what’s not so magical? The comparison game. The pressure to be younger, fitter, and sexier is everywhere. Author Jen Ferguson, mother of two […]
Preventing Child Sex Abuse
Guest Article: Cordisco & Saile LLC; a law firm that is dedicated to helping victims of child sex abuse. Below is an excerpt from an article they wrote about protecting children from Sexual Abuse. Preventing Child Sex Abuse The responsibility to protect children from sexual abuse falls to all adults around them, including counselors, teachers, […]
How Hyper-Sexualized Children Can Become Sexually Addicted Adults – The Connection Between Hyper-Sexualization and Porn Addiction
Guest Blogger: Tamara Kelly Hyper-sexualization and porn addiction are two issues that are becoming increasingly prevalent in our society. The hypersexualization of women and children in media and advertising has become so normal that it is often not even noticed or questioned. This has led to a culture where women and children are objectified and […]
Barefoot Dance Center
One of the goals of the DA:NCE is to highlight organizations we feel embody healthy dance. We are pleased to present: Barefoot Dance Center, located in West Park, New York. At Barefoot Dance Center, we guide the “whole dancer.” Our students include people of all ages who are curious learners in search of their own […]
Protecting Our Children: How to Identify and Address Hypersexualization in Dance
Guest Article: Artem Maksimenko Childhood is a time of innocence, exploration, and discovery, and this should extend to all areas of a child’s life, including dance. However, in recent years, there has been an increasing trend toward the hypersexualization of children in dance. As parents, educators, or concerned adults, it’s essential to understand how to […]
Healthy Versus Harmful Dance Environments: Stopping Harm and Supporting Joy Through Effective Challenges
Guest Article: Erin Sanchez How can we ensure as teachers that we create healthy environments for young dancers who want to dance as a professional career? I believe that all of us who are working with dancers have a responsibility to create environments that will not only protect them from harm but will also give […]
Stage Door Dance Productions
Stage Door Dance Productions is dedicated to age-appropriate dance in Raleigh, North Carolina. They seek to encourage their dancers with instruction in technique, choreography and performance embedded in an environment of community and character. They offer a full schedule of classes in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, acrobatics, acting, and musical theatre for children aged […]
How Upholding and Teaching a Comprehensive Understanding of Consent Protects Our Children from Coercion and Exploitation
“It changed; this is what you are wearing now” the assistant said… “It was me, by myself. I had no one to advocate for me… So, I cleaned myself up, wiped away my tears and went out and did a show” (Chand, 2021). Consent. It is a concept that has always been and continues to […]