Investigating benefits of creative dance of cognitive, social and creative development with children aged 6-7 years

This Action Research study addresses a significant gap in the literature regarding the benefits of creative dance for primary-aged children, a demographic less frequently studied compared to adolescents and seniors. The theoretical framework integrates child development theory with creative dance education principles. The study explores the potential of creative dance for the development of cognitive, creative and social competencies, with (n=13) children aged 6-7 years in a primary school setting in England. The study utilises mixed methods as observation, video recording, and pre- and post-surveys, and tracks the children's development over 6 months. Findings reveal notable improvements in attention span, memory retention, and problem-solving skills, alongside significant enhancements in creative cognition and cognitive abilities. Socially, participants exhibited increased cooperation, empathy, and communication skills. The research concludes by proposing a model for integrating creative dance into primary school curricula to optimise child development outcomes, emphasising its potential for fostering holistic child development.