Dad & Ace Bollywood Choreographer Remo D’Souza Speaks About How Dance Is Important For A Child’s Development

He’s a doting dad to two wonderful sons, Dhruv and Gabriel, and he also happens to be one of Bollywood’s finest choreographers, so who better than choreographer Remo D’Souza would be able to throw light on how dance benefits kids? 

Currently, he’s also working closely with a group of children between the age group of 3-13, on a dance based reality show on television. Talking about the show, Remo shares that this is the first time he is a part of a show that features kids. 

Speaking exclusively to BabyChakra, he says that he was nervous and a bit scared to be judging kids on a reality show. Remo says he was sceptical about it since he didn’t want to hurt any child’s sentiments, as he feels children can be sensitive and a negative comment can sometimes hamper their morale. But after working with the kids, he says he soon he realised that kids today are not only very smart, but also strong and they deal with rejection and defeat better than adults.

Remo also talks about the importance and benefits of dance for kids. Here’s an excerpt from the interview: 

1. How old were you when  you realised your love and talent for dancing?

I was about 14-15 years old when I realised that I wanted to dance.

2. Did you go to any formal dance school? Are dance schools important for kids?

I never went to any formal school because there were no formal dancing schools then. Even if I wanted to go to a formal dance school there wasn’t any. Dance schools are very important for kids as kids learn faster. In a formal dance school, you have a teacher or mentor telling you what you are doing right or wrong so that way kids learn faster and better. Also it’s a place where you are taught the correct techniques of dance.

3. Do you think dance should be made part of the school curriculum? 

Yes, in fact for the last few years I have been trying to ask schools to include dance as a curriculum. Even though schools have physical education as a part of their curriculum, it’s very important to include dance as well. Dance is a fun way of keeping kids physically fit. They should definitely include dance in their curriculum, not just the Western dance form but also the Indian dance forms, that way kids will also learn about their culture.

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4. Do you feel any kind of challenges while teaching dance to children?

It depends from child to child. Some learn faster, some take a little longer. But it’s best to start children young, the earlier they start the faster they learn. When they are younger their minds are sharper and they grasp things faster, their body is also very flexible.

5. How do children benefit from dance?

Dance benefits children to a large extent. Firstly, it’s great for their physical fitness, they become agile, strong and it improves their balance and flexibility. Their muscles become stronger. Mentally too, children become sharp and it helps them greatly in their coordination, they learn to emotionally express themselves, music and dance calms children as children have so much energy and dance is a brilliant way for them to burn that energy. 

6. What’s the right age for children to start learning dance?

As soon as a child learns to take their first steps, they are ready to learn. I think the sooner you start them, the faster they will learn and the better for them.

7.  What is the best dance form to get toddlers started with?

The best dance form for toddlers is something that requires them to stretch like a contemporary dance form or ballet. Their body becomes more flexible and as they grow, you can see what form your child is more interested in and then enrol them for that.

8. What’s the one advice you would like to give parents who want to enrol their kids for dance classes?

I would like to tell parents that just as education is important so are activities like dance. I think they should give it equal importance as it’s very good for a child’s holistic growth. It makes them physically fit and active. It’s great for their mental well being as well, most children who dance are always happy. So parents must encourage children to dance. 

On a parting note he says, “If your child loves dancing please encourage them. I wish all the parents and children the very best!”