I read a very interesting book this summer called “The Anxious Generation,” by Jonathan Haidt. In this incredibly well-researched and well-presented book, the author “presents more than a dozen mechanisms by which this “great rewiring of childhood” has interfered with children’s social and neurological development, covering everything from sleep deprivation to attention fragmentation, addiction, loneliness, social contagion, social comparison, and perfectionism.”
While the picture Haidt presents is quite dire, I actually felt rather hopeful: because at All That Jazz Dance Studio, we are giving today’s youth not just an opportunity to be technology-free for the duration of their dance class, but we are purposefully counter-acting all of the other negative outcomes that have come about due to the overuse of phones, social media and the internet in general.
Dance classes at All That Jazz in Newton are the exact opposite of what Haidt is describing in his book. Rather than retreating to their bedrooms and locking themselves away from the real world by focusing on the “made-up” world of Instagram and TikTok, our students are connecting in real time with friends and their fellow dancers. Together they are working towards a common goal during classes and, especially, at recital time. They are cheering each other on as they perform for one another during class and are totally engaged in their physical activity.
I have heard from parents countless times over the years that All That Jazz is their child’s safe haven and happy place. We are judgement free and, in many cases, one of the few activities where kids can just really be themselves. Our motto is Smile and Have Fun and every single student, from age 2-18, knows it, believes in it, and truly lives it- both within the studio walls and even outside in their “real” life.
So, why choose All That Jazz? Because we take our responsibility as a leader in youth activities seriously. Because we believe in the power of dance to transform a child’s life. Because we understand first-hand how complicated it is to be a parent in today’s society. But, most of all, because we have been helping children for 27 years and counting Smile and Have Fun and we wouldn’t have it any other way!
