Dancing Mirrors: Cultivating Positive Body Image & Self-Love in Children Through Dance & Movement
Are you feeling a little nervous?
Recital season is around the corner, and that means more eyes on your little dancer’s body - Both their own and everyone else’s, which can bring up some interesting things. With mirrors in every studio and costumes designed to showcase movement, it’s natural for kids to become more aware of how they look. The key? Helping them focus on how they feel instead.
Movement as Self-Expression, Not Just Performance
Before kids have words, they express themselves through movement. Dance is an extension of that - A way to tell stories, channel emotions, and build confidence. But when the pressure of performing takes center stage, it’s easy for kids to shift from feeling their movement to watching themselves critically.
Encourage your child to focus on how their body moves rather than how it looks. Compliment their energy, strength, and expression rather than their appearance. When dance is about fun and storytelling rather than perfection, self-confidence follows.
The Mirror Mindset Shift
With recital season comes more time spent in front of mirrors - Rehearsing, refining, repeating. While mirrors are great tools for technique, they can also become a source of comparison, criticism and self-doubt.
Help your child use mirrors as a way to see their progress, not pick apart their reflection or body. Remind them that every dancer moves differently, and that’s what makes performances beautiful. At Aura Dance Studio, we emphasize individuality over uniformity, other than staying in line! We celebrate effort, creativity, and personal growth.
Body Talk Matters
Kids absorb how we talk about bodies - Ours and theirs. If they hear praise about how “graceful” or “tiny” another dancer looks, they start measuring themselves against that. This is something we have been fighting against in the dance industry. Unfortunately, it has been a theme for many years. Here’s how you can start to shift the language - And, something we are doing here at Aura Dance Studio:
“Your jumps are so powerful!”
“I love how expressive your arms are!”
“You looked like you were having so much fun!”
When self-worth is tied to movement and ability rather than size or shape, kids build a healthier, more resilient relationship with their bodies.
Beyond the Stage
Recital season is a time for celebration, not scrutiny. The goal isn’t to fit a mold - It’s to express, share their hard work, feel proud of their growth, and celebrate doing something that may feel scary - Stepping on stage. When kids learn to appreciate their bodies for what they do rather than how they look, that confidence stays with them long after the curtain closes.
So as the big day approaches, remind your child: The real magic isn’t in perfection - It’s in showing up as themselves and dancing with joy.
Reminder: Our recital this year is June 5th at the FirstOntario Arts Centre in Milton! Keep your eyes on your inbox for updates and more information. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.